KINGFIELD SCHOOL REACH

INTERSCHOOL CUP FINAL

 

 

“You get on there and enjoy it,” Mike said to Jamie. The full-time whistle had just blown and all the Kingfield boys were celebrating together in a huddle. “Go on!”

Jamie wandered on to the pitch, leaving Mike to talk to the two blokes that he’d been chatting with earlier.

“We’re gonna win the Cup! We’re gonna win the Cup!” Jamie’s teammates were half-shouting, half-singing as they leapt around in a big circle.

Even though this was his team, Jamie felt like an outsider. He certainly didn’t feel as if he’d played any part in their victory.

He waited until the huddle had broken up before he went to congratulate Ash. Even though he was still devastated at being subbed, he was happy for Ash.

“Oh my days, Ash!” he said, slapping the striker on the back. “Best overhead I’ve ever seen!”

“Cheers, JJ,” said Ash, a wide smile revealing his gleaming white teeth. “Your turn in the final – you ready for Phoenix Park?”

This year the Cup Final was going to be played at a proper stadium. The boys had been buzzing about it ever since they had looked up a picture of Phoenix Park on the Internet a couple of weeks ago. Jamie’s whole body pulsated at the thought of running out there. Now it was going to happen!

“Ready?” he said. “I was born ready!”

Then Jamie jogged over to do a high five with Ollie. Their hands met with a firm connection. Ollie was easily his best mate on the team – he always made Jamie laugh.

“Great long throw, Ol,” Jamie said. “It went as far as a corner!”

“Yeah? Well, it’s all down to these special exercises I’ve got for my wrists,” said Ollie, grinning. “Eh – the gaffer doesn’t mind the spotlight, does he?”

Ollie was pointing to Hansard, who was having his picture taken by a photographer. He had his fists clenched and was looking straight down the lens of the camera.

Jamie realized this was the first time he’d ever seen Hansard smile. Normally he was angry, and usually with Jamie. Even the other boys had noticed it; it was as if Mr Hansard had hated Jamie from the day he’d first set eyes on him.

“OK – can I get all the Kingfield lads in for a team shot, please?” the photographer said loudly after he’d finished with Hansard. He had the kind of voice that you could hear from miles away.

“Are we gonna be in the paper?” asked Ollie.

“Course you are,” said the photographer, arranging the boys into two rows. “There’s going to be a big splash in the Advertiser tomorrow.”

“Wicked!” said Ollie, clicking his fingers together. “Wait till the girls see this!”

“OK,” said the photographer. “When I count to three, I want you all to say Cup Final as loud as you can! And lots of cheeky smiles! OK, here we go. . . One, two, three. . .”

“CUP FINAL!!!” The boys shouted as loud as they could and, in their minds, every single one of them imagined lifting that trophy at Phoenix Park in seven days’ time.

Then all the boys sprang off in different directions, looking for someone else to share their excitement with.

Jamie looked for Mike. He was still talking to the same two men. The men were nodding to each other now as they pointed towards Dillon and started to walk towards him.

“So your picture’s going to be in the paper then, Jamie?” said Mike, patting Jamie on the back. “First of many, I reckon.”

“I hope so!” said Jamie. For a second, he allowed images of stardom and celebrity to sparkle in his mind. Money, cars and parties all whizzed though his imagination. Jack had always told him he was going to be famous. Maybe she was right. Maybe the Cup Final at Phoenix Park would be where it would all start for him.

“Who are those two?” Jamie asked, pointing to the two men who were now talking to Dillon. “Are they from the Advertiser?”

“No,” said Mike. “They’re scouts.”