Read Online Hot Prospect by Cindy Jefferies - Free Book Online Page B

going.”
    â€œStill not heard then?” asked Bryn sympathetically.
    Roddy shook his head. “They said it would be about ten days, and that was up yesterday.”
    â€œI’m sure you’ll find out soon,” said Bryn.
    â€œProbably,” agreed Roddy. But he knew that the more time went by, the less likely he was to get a place. Surely they’d write to all the people they had accepted first? Roddy wondered if he should text Geno to find out if he’d heard anything. But what if he’d already received a letter, and got in? Roddy knew he’d feel terrible. No, it would be best not to text. Not yet, anyway. He ought to forget aboutGeno and concentrate on his friends at home, not on someone he’d probably never meet again.
    Bryn was the best mate he could have, but Roddy knew that part of him was hoping he wouldn’t get a place. Then they could go to Valley Comp together as they’d always planned. They’d keep their brilliant footballing partnership. They’d get into the first team and be heroes right up the school. And, at 17, they’d both turn pro with a local side and work their way up until, at last, they’d go out onto the pitch at Wembley, playing in the final of the World Cup.
    It was a good dream, a
great
dream, and Roddy didn’t blame Bryn for hanging onto it. But Roddy had been tantalised by a different dream, one where Bryn didn’t figure, and that was difficult for both of them.
    They went over to the park and had a kickabout. Roddy took an interest in Bryn’s new boots, and asked all the right questions. They discussed studs, and what the Valley Comp pitch would be like, and hoped the changing rooms would be better than the ones at their old primary school.
    Then Bryn asked about the pitch at Stadium School and Roddy came alive with enthusiasm. “It’s better than loads of championship pitches,” he told him. “It’s got under-soil heating so the grass doesn’t get frosty in the winter, and the drainage is brilliant, too. Jason told me that it hardly gets muddy at all!”
    â€œI wish I’d been there,” sighed Bryn.
    â€œI know,” agreed Roddy. “And I wish you’d been there when Jason was telling us about the stadium seats. I almost sat in the charred one. He looked
horrified
, as if I was going to get
killed
or something. It’s obviously really important for some reason.”
    â€œValley Comp has a ghost,” offered Bryn.
    â€œReally?” said Roddy. “Liz never said anything about it.”
    â€œYou know David, the kid who lives in my road,” said Bryn. “His brother goes there, and he told him there’s a ghost in the boys’ bogs.”
    â€œSeriously?” said Roddy.
    â€œDunno,” said Bryn. “It’s probably not true anyway.”
    There was silence for a few moments while each was deep in his own thoughts.
    â€œBet I can hit that tree from here with the ball,” said Roddy, changing the subject. He was fed up with talking about schools. After all, it
was
the summer holidays. They should forget about school, any school, until the autumn.
    â€œHey, Roddy!” It was Ian, a boy from round the corner. “A bunch of us are going over to the recreation ground for a game of football. Do you want to come? You can be on my teamif you like,” he added hopefully.
    Roddy looked at Bryn. “You up for it?” he asked.
    â€œWhy not?”
    â€œOK,” said Roddy. “As long as Bryn’s on my side.”
    The recreation ground was a short way from Roddy’s home. The grass was clumpy and badly looked after. Kids rode their bikes there, churning great grooves when it was wet and sometimes people walked their dogs over it, even though they weren’t supposed to. It paid to look out for dog mess before you started playing, but Roddy and Bryn could never be bothered.
    Jones is coasting today, oozing class as