CHAPTER 15

Charlie was selected as wing defence for the first netball match of the season against their local rivals, St Mary’s. They were the best team in the area and hadn’t lost a match for two years.

Nadia played goal defence. Polly gave the team a warm-up routine that made them concentrate on changing direction and anticipating the next pass. At the end of their warm-up, the team huddled together in a giant circle, their arms round each other. Charlie found she was next to Nadia, and Polly and Mrs Kennedy were also in the cluster.

‘I know it’s only the first match of term,’ said Mrs Kennedy, ‘but I’ve seen an improvement in training that is really exciting – so go out there and enjoy yourselves. Nadia, you and Charlie are bringing out the best in each other so keep that up.’

Charlie felt Nadia pat her on the back.

‘And there was me thinking you were going to steal my place,’ Nadia said softly. ‘And instead we are making each other better than we would be on our own.’

Ah, thought Charlie. There it was.

‘Polly, would you like to say a few words?’ Mrs Kennedy asked.

Polly coughed and looked around the huddle, searching their faces.

‘I need you to start reading each other’s minds and we can only do that by getting to know every team mate really well,’ she said. ‘Don’t be afraid to try things, and if they don’t work, that’s fine. I’d rather we aimed to be inventive and made the odd mistake than stayed safe and got beaten anyway.’

Polly put one hand into the centre of the circle, holding on to her crutch with the other. Everyone else put their hand on top of hers. They pushed down and up, shouting together, ‘One team, one dream!’

Polly made her way back to the bench and picked up her notebook. The whistle blew and the game started. Trainers squeaked and team mates shouted as the ball flew around from hand to hand. It was a tight match and, going into the final quarter, there were two points in it.

‘We can do this!’ Flora Walsh implored her team mates. ‘We’re only just behind.’

‘Remember the Roses!’ said Polly. ‘Play right to the whistle. Don’t stop for anything or anyone until that final whistle has finished blowing. Keep taking risks and keep moving into the spaces. Feet, focus, fitness!’

‘That’s good,’ said Nadia to Charlie. ‘Where does she get this stuff?’

‘I have no idea,’ replied Charlie. ‘But I swear she sees things that no one else sees. She can make the difference, as long as you listen to what she’s saying.’

‘Oh, don’t worry, I’m listening,’ said Nadia as she ran back towards her court position.

With twenty seconds on the clock, St Mary’s were one point ahead and on the attack. Nadia blocked the final pass and parried the ball to her left. Charlie was there to collect the rebound and quickly passed on to Flora Walsh at centre. Flora took a step forward and, without looking, passed the ball into the space to the left of the shooting circle. Helen Danson, goal attack, stretched an arm out and with her fingertips clawed the ball into her grasp. St Mary’s massive goalkeeper tried to block her path, but Helen faked a shot and, in the same move, passed sideways to the goal shooter, a tall girl called Daisy Bushell. Daisy took a step closer to the net and calmly slotted the ball away.

The scores were level. Flora shouted for the ball, which was swiftly returned to her to start again. The clock was ticking down as she flicked the ball forward out of the centre circle. Charlie moved up to help in the central zone and looped a high pass towards the net. Helen Danson plucked it out of the air and, with two seconds left on the clock, took a shot. The ball bobbled round the top of the ring, trying to make up its mind whether to drop. The umpire put the whistle to her lips and started to blow as the ball fell through and into the net. Goal!

Polly grabbed her stick as she leaped up in celebration. The subs and Mrs Kennedy rose as one and the team rushed over to join in the melee. Nadia’s arms reached round Polly and lifted her on to her shoulders.

‘Hold tight!’ she shouted.

Charlie felt the rush of pride, adrenalin and elation that she had last experienced when Noble Warrior won the Derby. This time it was herself and Polly she was thrilled for, rather than Joe and Noddy. She grinned up at her friend, high on Nadia’s shoulders, and joined in the dancing with Flora, Helen, Daisy and Mrs Kennedy.

An hour later, Polly and Charlie were still buzzing. And a week later, they were still talking about it – and the whole school knew that Polly Williams was the secret of their success.