Soccer Shadows: Part 5

By ROB CHILDS

'Don't need ... a coach.'

Tom chuckled. 'Don't worry, you won't get one. What Dad knows about football could be written on the back of a postcard.'

'OK ... see you ... tomorrow ...' Leo cried, his thin pale legs outstretched each time he whooshed by, '... for practice.'

'Right - and bring all the others with you as well.'

'If I can ... drag them ... out the sea.'

The two boys lapsed into a companionable silence, apart from the creaking and rattling of chains. Tom's swing was barely moving. He was already planning what kind of formation they might use in the Sixes.

He was distracted, though, by a curious sight - or rather, by lack of it. A fat beetle had just scuttled away beneath his feet and he realised there was something missing.

Leo's shadow.

Publisher: Barrington Stoke

Price: $14.95

Age group: 8-13 years


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