Free Hot-Shot Harry by Rob Childs Page B

Fight!” went up the chant from the other boys, and a crowd gathered round to watch.
    â€œUh-oh,” hissed Leela, taking Charlotte’s arm. “Look, a teacher’s coming. Let’s go.”
    Ravi and Harry were still throwing punches as Leela dragged Charlotte away.
    â€œShame,” said Charlotte. “I’d have liked to see who won.”

Chapter Three

Injury Time
    Harry and Ravi were banned from playing in the next eleven-a-side match. The team missed both boys. They also missed a lot of chances. Gateway lost the game.
    â€œWe were awful,” Oliver groaned as the players left the field.
    â€œNot my fault,” Brad muttered. He was captain for the day.
    As they sat on a bench outside the school building to take off their boots, Harry came over. He had been watching the game from the touchline.
    â€œWe deserved a draw,” he said, pulling a face.

    Oliver peeled a chunk of mud from between his studs and tossed it away. He had scored twice in the match, but was cross that he had not made it a hat-trick.
    â€œWish we got paid for scoring goals,” he said.
    â€œYeah,” Harry agreed. “I’d be rich!”
    â€œYeah, right,” grunted Brad.
    â€œHey! I’ve just had a great idea!” cried Oliver, jumping up – and standing right in a puddle of water in his socks.
    â€œWhat’s that?” asked Harry.
    â€œGetting paid for scoring! We could be sponsored for every goal.”
    Harry liked the sound of that. “Yeah, we could raise loads of money!”
    â€œBut the season’s nearly over,” said Brad. “It wouldn’t be worth it.”
    â€œThe Fives!” Harry exclaimed. “We could get people to sponsor us in the County Finals!”

    Mrs Phillips thought it was a good idea, too, when the boys told the teacher of their plans the next day.
    â€œWhat do you want to raise the money for?” she asked.
    â€œWe want to send it to that school in West Africa,” Harry said. “The one we’re twinned with.”
    â€œYou mean Saint Francis School in Kenya,” Mrs Phillips told him, with a smile.

    â€œWe could buy some sports stuff for the kids there to use,” Harry went on. “Soccer kit, boots and footballs.”

    Brad and Ravi designed a sponsor form in art class that afternoon, and the other players made posters to tell people about the project.

    â€œWe want the whole school to back us,” said Leela. “Everybody can take a form home and get sponsors.”
    â€œThe more money we raise, the better,” agreed Charlotte. “But we don’t have much time.”
    The County Finals were only a fortnight away.

    The players trained in the sports hall. Today Harry was on top form.
    â€œGot my shooting boots on,” he cried after scoring again.
    â€œShooting boots?” laughed Oliver. “You mean your scruffy old trainers!”
    â€œThey might be old, but they’re deadly,” Harry said with a grin. “I can’t miss when I’m wearing these things.”
    He was wrong.
    In the next attack, Harry got past Brad but Charlotte still stood in his way.
    Harry did a little shimmy, hoping to wrong-foot her, but Charlotte was not fooled. She held her position, knowing Harry could not try to dribble past her, as no-one else was allowed into the goal area.

    Harry was forced to shoot early, but she stuck out a foot and got the ball to safety.
    Leela was the first to realise that Charlotte was hurt.
    â€œWhat’s up, Charlie? Are you OK?” Leela asked.
    â€œIt’s my ankle,” Charlotte groaned, taking off her right shoe so that she could rub the sore area. “I think I’ve twisted it.”
    Charlotte went off and Ravi took her place in goal. He started well enough by making a smart save, but then he let the ball slip through his grasp into the net.
    â€œTry and get part of your body behind your hands,” Mrs Phillips called to