Read Online Meet Me Under The Ombu Tree by Santa Montefiore - Free Book Online Page A

as the ball whizzed between her pony’s legs and out the other side. Furious, she threw herself against him and then against Francisco for good measure before galloping off. She found that Rafael and Fernando were reluctant to pass to her; only Santi used her when he could, but Santi was heavily marked by a sneering Roberto Lobito. In fact, Roberto and Santi seemed to be playing out some sort of private battle as if they were the only two people on the field, knocking into each other, hooking mallets and shouting obscenities.
    ‘Fercho, on your left!’ Sofia shouted to Fernando when an opportunity arose. Fie glanced over to her, hesitated, then passed the ball to Rafael instead who was consequently ridden-off by both Marco and Davico at once in a vicious sandwich. ‘Pass it to me next time, Fercho. I had a clear ride to goal!’ she
    shouted furiously, glaring at him.
    ‘Sure you did,’ he replied spitefully and cantered off. She noticed Roberto Lobito break their silent rule and shake his head sympathetically at Fernando.
    Sabrina and Martina were horrified that Sofia had been allowed into the game.
    ‘She’ll cock it up for them,’ Sabrina said irritably.
    ‘She’s only fifteen, for God’s sake,’ Martina sniffed. ‘She really shouldn’t be allowed to play with the big boys.’
    ‘It’s Santi’s fault, he encourages her,’ said Pia, spitefully.
    ‘Lie’s got a soft spot for her - God only knows why. She’s spoilt rotten. Look, she’s hanging around doing nothing. No one’s using her. She might as well pack it in,’ complained Sabrina, watching her young cousin floundering in the middle of the field.
    At the end of the fifth chukka they were still one goal down.
    ‘Use Sofia, for God’s sake! We’re a team, and the only way we’re going to win is with teamwork,’ exploded Santi, dismounting.
    ‘We use her and we’re sure to lose,’ replied Fernando, removing his hat and shaking out his black sweaty hair.
    ‘Come on, Fercho, don’t be childish,’ said Rafael. ‘She’s playing and there’s nothing you can do about it. They won’t expect us to use her, so make the most of it.’
    ‘We’re not going to win as a three-sided team,’ shouted Santi, exasperated, ‘so bloody well include her!’ Fernando scowled at his brother with loathing.
    ‘I’ll show you chauvinists that I can play better than that idiotic Agustin. Just swallow your pride and play with me - not against me. The enemy’s La Paz, remember?’ And Sofia cantered confidently back onto the field. Fernando quietly smouldered while Rafael raised his eyes to the sky and Santi chuckled with admiration.
    The tension was almost tangible as they cantered onto the field for the last chukka. When the game began, a hefty silence descended upon the spectators. The final chukka was an aggressive display of one-upmanship as each side desperately tried to outdo the other. Santi, who was undoubtedly the best player on the team, was heavily marked, and Sofia, who they all assumed wouldn’t get a look in, was hardly marked at all. Time was running out. In spite of their earlier dispute Sofia was hardly passed the ball and spent most of the time angrily covering for the others. At last, Santi managed to even the score.
    The spectators were now on their feet unable to remain seated as the battle intensified in the last few minutes of the game. They all knew that if they didn’t finish it in time they would have to go on to ‘sudden death’. The field resounded with furious cries and impatient commands as Roberto tried to control his team and Santi tried to persuade his brother to play with Sofia. Maria jumped up and down in agitation, unable to keep still, willing Sofia to score. Miguel and Paco paced impatiently up and down the sidelines, without taking their eyes off the match. Paco looked at his watch - one minute to go. Perhaps it had been a mistake letting Sofia play, he thought bleakly.
    Suddenly Rafael took possession of the ball,