The next day, Charlie and Ellyse met Carla and Sheridan before school to come up with a plan to help Jazz.

‘Mum said to be a good friend,’ Ellyse told them, ‘but we already are. I wish we could do something more.’

‘How about we go shopping and then to the movies on Friday night?’ Charlie suggested. ‘Jazz loves shopping.’

‘Good idea. Let’s ask her,’ Ellyse said. Carla and Sheridan nodded.

When Jazz arrived, Charlie said, ‘Hey, let’s all go shopping on Friday, and you pick the movie, Jazz.’

‘I don’t know,’ Jazz said slowly. ‘Mum’s being a bit strange at the moment.’ Her mouth trembled and she blinked hard. ‘The counselling last night was horrible. All Mum did was say nasty stuff about Dad. Liana and I never got to say anything.’

‘You can say it to us,’ Ellyse said. ‘We’ll listen and give you lots of hugs.’

Jazz managed a shaky smile. ‘Thanks. All I want is for Mum to notice that we’re really upset too. She was yelling and stomping around last night. It was scary. I know she’s mad at Dad, but …’

‘I think we should definitely go out on Friday,’ Charlie said. ‘If we can’t make you feel better, nobody can.’

‘We’ve got a soccer game after school today,’ Ellyse said. ‘You can kick the ball around really, really hard and that’ll cheer you up.’ She hesitated. ‘That’s if you’re playing.’

‘Yep, I am,’ Jazz said. ‘Anything’s better than going home. I might kick that soccer ball all the way to the Harbour Bridge!’

But when school was over for the day and they gathered for the game, Jazz realised she’d forgotten her soccer boots. She burst into tears, crying so hard that she couldn’t tell Ms Beattie what the problem was. Charlie had to explain.

‘Oh, is that all?’ Ms Beattie said in surprise. ‘I’ve got spare boots, I’m sure. Come with me, Jasmine, and we’ll find some to fit you. Can’t have our best goal-keeper not able to play.’

As they went off to the gym, Ms Beattie gave Jazz a bunch of tissues for her tears. They were soon back, and Jazz looked much happier in her borrowed boots with their bright purple laces.

The field was drier today, and the game against Sandhurst Girls was fast and furious. Ms Beattie put Ellyse in as striker because they were one short. The ball went back and forth as everyone dribbled and kicked and laughed. Jazz saved two certain goals with massive leaps. Charlie and Ellyse both scored, but Hu was the star – she booted in three! Her dad clapped madly on the sideline, and after the third goal he even did a little dance.

‘You were on fire today,’ Ellyse told Hu after the game.

Hu grinned. ‘Thanks! My brothers are getting a real workout. We play in the park now, and they’re getting mad with me for beating them, but it makes them play better.’

‘And then you play better too,’ Ellyse said. ‘I wish you could play with me in the Hawks team. Or maybe you’d like touch footy?’

Hu frowned. ‘I thought footy was a boys’ game.’

Ellyse put her hands on her hips. ‘Nothing is a boys-only game anymore. Not even boxing. Although I don’t think I want to box anytime soon.’

‘Me neither.’

Ellyse was about to ask if Hu wanted to join them at the movies on Friday but then caught sight of Jazz. No, she thought, we’re doing this specially for Jazz. I’ll ask Hu another time.

On the way to the car, Ellyse spotted Jazz’s mum waiting in her four-wheel drive with the engine running. Her face looked pinched and tight. Jazz had barely closed the door when she took off. Ellyse stared after the four-wheel drive, wondering if she should call Jazz later.

‘She was in a hurry,’ Dad said.

‘And she looked even unhappier than Jazz.’ Ellyse paused for a moment. ‘Dad, you and Mum …’

Dad bent and kissed the top of her head. ‘We’re fine, little one, truly.’ He laughed. ‘Although maybe I shouldn’t call you “little one” anymore. I’m sure you’ve grown more since yesterday.’

‘Da-a-ad! Don’t be silly.’ But I hope I have, Ellyse thought.

On Thursday, Ellyse and Charlie went to touch footy training again.

‘Callinan is doing a big musical this year – Cats,’ Charlie said as she tied her shoelaces. ‘I’d love to be in it.’

‘That’d be awesome fun,’ said Ellyse.

‘The only problem is, rehearsals are on Thursday afternoons.’ Charlie grimaced. ‘So no footy for me if I get a role.’

‘Oh.’ Ellyse tried to swallow her disappointment. It’s more fun playing with Charlie, but she does love acting. ‘I bet you’ll be one of the stars.’

‘As if,’ Charlie said. ‘I might get to be in the chorus if I’m lucky. But there’ll be songs to learn and lots of dancing. I can’t wait!’

For training, Ben had them run laps and then do sprints. ‘It’ll pay off,’ he said. ‘The fitter you are, the faster you can move the ball around.’

Then he had them working up and down the field in teams of six, doing roll balls and passing left and right.

‘Phew!’ Charlie said, bending over. ‘I’ve got a stitch.’

Everyone else was puffing too, but they all put up their hands when Ben asked who was ready for a game. Ellyse and Charlie ended up playing against each other, red armbands against blue, both as middles.

Charlie grinned at her. ‘Bet you can’t get past me.’

‘Betcha I can!’ Ellyse called back.

Reds got to start. Ellyse took the tap and passed straight away to her other middle, Rocky, who ran with it and passed it back again. Ellyse loved to jink and sidestep, pretending she was going one way before zipping back the other. Charlie touched, Ellyse rolled the ball back and Reds were away again. Four more touches and Ben signalled last touch. Reds lost possession on the sixth touch, so Blues had the ball to restart.

Charlie’s teammate took the tap and off they went, passing, switching and passing again. This time Reds were offside on the fourth roll ball and got a penalty tap. Charlie held the pass, scooted around behind her link player, saw a gap and was through for a touchdown.

Ben blew the whistle. ‘Okay, over here, everyone,’ he called, and waited for them to gather around. ‘Good start, but what could you Reds have done better?’

‘We left a big gap,’ said Ellyse.

‘Right,’ said Ben. ‘And you were a bit slow off the mark when Charlie made her run. Why was that?’

Rocky put up his hand. ‘We’re looking at our feet too much?’

‘Exactly,’ Ben said, smiling. ‘It’s hard to watch your opponents all the time, but there are only six of them, so you just need to practise scanning the field and seeing where they’re running. You only need one touch to stop their momentum. But?’

‘But when it’s you with the ball,’ Ellyse said, ‘you try to keep the flow moving no matter what.’

‘Excellent,’ Ben said. ‘Let’s try again and then swap players around.’

This was what Ellyse loved about touch footy – everyone went on and off the field, everyone got a chance to play, and you even got to try different positions. She didn’t mind where she was – middle, link or wing – the game usually moved so fast up and down the field that she passed and ran and rolled and touched almost nonstop. She managed to score two touchdowns and passed to Rocky and the others so they got touchdowns too. No more gaps!

After training, Ben gave them the draw for the season. ‘First game is a mini tournament, Sunday week, right here. It’ll be a good way to start.’ As everyone grabbed their water bottles and jackets, Ellyse waved goodbye to Charlie and went to help Dad gather up the footballs and cones.

‘You looked like you were having a good time,’ Dad said.

‘It was so much fun!’ Ellyse replied, grinning. She stacked the cones and carried them to Ben’s car.

‘Thanks,’ Ben said. ‘Your dad’s been telling me you can pass off either foot. It’s a handy skill to have. Most people only use their dominant side, usually the right.’

‘I guess,’ Ellyse said. ‘I’ve never thought about it.’

Ben rolled the footy over in his hands. ‘Want to show me?’

Ellyse glanced at Dad.

‘It’s fine,’ he said, ‘I’ll play with you.’

She felt a bit funny, like she was showing off, but Ben was serious. He asked her to play in the middle, and they ran up and down the field three times, passing the ball back and forth.

‘How keen are you on footy?’ Ben said afterwards.

Again, Ellyse glanced at Dad but his face gave nothing away. ‘I’m not sure. I love playing it, but I play soccer and cricket too, and indoor cricket, and I like netball but I’m not in a team for that.’

Ben nodded. ‘There’ll be selectors at the mini tournament and they’ll be looking to choose a regional team. I reckon you’ve got a good chance.’

Ellyse gasped. ‘Really?’

‘Aren’t the regional comps in March?’ Dad asked.

‘This is a winter cup, for Under 14s.’ Ben turned to Ellyse. ‘Your school doesn’t have a touch team, does it?’

She shook her head. ‘I wish.’

‘One thing,’ Ben added. ‘You’re small.’

Ellyse heaved a big sigh. ‘I knoooooow. I’m growing, though.’

‘It’s not an issue in this sport,’ Ben said, ‘but it’s worth considering weights training. You know, light stuff for muscle strength.’

‘It’s a good suggestion, thanks,’ Dad said. ‘Now, we have to run if we’re to get Ellyse to soccer training on time.’

‘Goodness,’ Ben said, looking impressed. ‘No wonder you’re fit.’

Ellyse smiled. ‘See ya next week,’ she said to Ben, before heading off with Dad.

‘Do you really think I could get selected?’ Ellyse asked as they drove to the Hawks’ ground.

Dad stopped at the traffic lights and looked at her frowning face. ‘I think you’d have a very good chance of making the regional team.’ He grinned. ‘Even as a shrimp.’

‘Dad!’ Ellyse pretended to be cross for a second and then broke into a smile. The whole way to soccer training she couldn’t help thinking how awesome it would be to make the regional team. If only Ms Beattie could coach it too. Now THAT would be magical!