Bend It Like Bettany
The CBB -> Cookies & Drabbles
#1: Bend It Like Bettany Author: Lindsay, Location: Sunny Kidderminster (or Sunny Sheffield in term-time) PostPosted: Sun Mar 14, 2004 7:16 pm

My FIRST drabble! The result of a strange thought that hit me whilst watching 'Bend It Like Beckham' the other day. So sit back & enjoy!

I've only written this first small section so far & I can't guarantee very regular updates (I'll do my best, but people will insist on giving me essays to write!). I hope you like it anyway, after all....any Chalet School girl can just go off & marry a doctor, but who can bend a ball like Bettany?


BEND IT LIKE BETTANY

The atmosphere was electric. The noise from the crowd was deafening. The sounds of ‘Eng-er-land, Eng-er-land, Eng-er-land!” were just about audible amidst the uproar, occasionally punctuated by the sounds of ‘the Great Escape’ theme tune being played by the Sheffield Wednesday Band. The score was 2-2, and there were 4 minutes to go. England, having miraculously recovered from being 2-nil down at half time, desperately needed to win. One more goal would take them to the World Cup Final, against the mighty Brazil. It was every player’s dream, and they were determined not to let it slip through their fingers. High up in the stands, the BBC commentator was almost shaking with the tension that had gripped the stadium, as he continued to report to England fans in pubs worldwide what their beloved national side was doing at that very moment;

“…And Kirkland will take the goal kick – there’s just two minutes left now before extra-time kicks in – you could cut the atmosphere with a knife…Kirkland has found Bridge out on the left…and now he’s off on one of his trademark runs…oh, that was nice! Beautiful footwork by the young left-back…he dodges the defender and crosses the ball to Hargreaves…Oh! That was blatant elbow! A free-kick to England – in a dangerous position…Hargreaves is up now – will he take the free-kick now that Beckham’s off the field?…No! It looks like it’s going to be Bettany! Bettany takes a run up…and England’ve got Beattie in the penalty area waiting to head the ball if needed…but it won’t be needed, because BETTANY HAS SCORED! And it’s 3-2 to England! Josie Bettany has scored the winning goal on her international debut to take England into the world cup final!…”

Eleven ecstatic England players celebrated madly as the final whistle went, a whistle that sounded strangely like a school rising bell…

“Josie! C’mon Jo! Frühstück’ll be over in twenty minutes!”

Josie Bettany, aged 161/2 and a member of the Lower Sixth at the Swiss branch of the famous Chalet School, sat up in bed with a groan and surveyed her surroundings. She was in her small dormitory cubicle –hardly Wembley, she thought to herself, with a smile as she remembered her dream. If only….

 

#2:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Sun Mar 14, 2004 7:24 pm

Ohhhh interesting start Lindsay, who is Josie related to, Rix, Jackie, or Maurice?

 

#3:  Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination PostPosted: Sun Mar 14, 2004 7:26 pm

This is off to a great start. When is it placed? Who's daugter is Josie?

 

#4:  Author: Lindsay, Location: Sunny Kidderminster (or Sunny Sheffield in term-time) PostPosted: Sun Mar 14, 2004 7:53 pm

Cazx wrote:
Ohhhh interesting start Lindsay, who is Josie related to, Rix, Jackie, or Maurice?


The relationship is somewhat complicated (basically because I'm not sure of it myself!) but I can tell you that Rix is her paternal grandfather (this is a modern-day-ish chalet school story) but he probably won't play as big a role as Josie's infamous maternal grandmother - AKA 'Granny Mary-Lou', whose sole aim in life is to see her grandmothers become good head girls & follow the tradition of marrying a well-educated doctor. Josie is of course named after her great-great-aunt (I think) and late author Josephine M. Bettany.

 

#5:  Author: Lindsay, Location: Sunny Kidderminster (or Sunny Sheffield in term-time) PostPosted: Sun Mar 14, 2004 7:55 pm

Here's some more - might help to explain Josie's background a little:

“Wake up, Josie, you’re miles away!” The sound of a voice jerked Josie out of her reverie. She frowned slightly as she turned to see her best friend and distant cousin Emily Entwistle.

“What’s up?” Emily asked, noting the frown, “About to score the winner against Argentina?”

“France, actually,” Josie replied with a grin.

“Alright then,” Emily laughed, “you’d better stop daydreaming anyhow. We’ve got maths in five minutes.” Emily grimaced at the word ‘maths’.

“Could be worse,” Josie pointed out to her, “Could be sewing!”

“I’ve got that last! At least it’s Friday, I s’pose. Are you going home this weekend?”

“I have to,” Josie said glumly, “It’s Lou’s wedding in a month and I’m supposed to be measured up for my bridesmaids dress. And Granny Mary-Lou wants to see me. I think she wants to introduce me to the new batch of doctors at the san.”

“Well, once you’re sister’s married to Dr Gardner, she’ll soon be planning your wedding!”

“Don’t I know it!” Josie retorted, “It’s family tradition – and that goes for you as much as for me, even if Granny Mary-Lou isn’t on your back all the time!”

“Don’t worry about it, Jo” Emily said, reassuringly, “She can’t force you into anything. Besides, you’re still at school for a year and a half, and you’ll probably be head girl next year so you’ll have enough to worry about then.”

“I suppose so,” Josie replied, “Gran expects me to be head girl. She always goes on about her days as head girl of the Chalet school, not to mention the countless other head girls in our family – Great-great-aunt Jo; your Granny Len, your great-aunt Felicity, our cousin Meg... Even Lou was head girl four years ago! I have to keep up the family tradition you know – become head girl, go to university, marry a doctor – or at worst marry someone who at least has an education and a decent job – and have plenty of daughters that can carry on the tradition for the next generation!”

“There’s no room for football amongst all that,” Emily remarked.

“That’s what I’m afraid of” Josie replied as the bell went for lessons, “Come on, race you to maths!”

 

#6:  Author: Kelly, Location: Auckland, New Zealand PostPosted: Sun Mar 14, 2004 8:20 pm

this is off to a really good start, I'm interested to see where it will go!

 

#7:  Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Sun Mar 14, 2004 9:39 pm

That's going to be a complicated family, you had better make sure you have a family tree to hand. Laughing

It's an interesting idea, I saw Bend it like Beckham a few weeks ago.

 

#8:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sun Mar 14, 2004 9:49 pm

Very interesting!!! Looking forward to more!

 

#9:  Author: Mandy, Location: Derry, N.Ireland PostPosted: Sun Mar 14, 2004 9:55 pm

I haven't seen Bend it like Beckham yet, but I'm enjoying this.

 

#10:  Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination PostPosted: Sun Mar 14, 2004 10:10 pm

*begins to draw out family tree.

*gives up and hopes for understanding as the story progresses!

 

#11:  Author: Chloë, Location: London: when away from home planet! PostPosted: Sun Mar 14, 2004 10:35 pm

Yay, this looks great Lindsay.

More soon i hope!

 

#12:  Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough....... PostPosted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 12:06 am

This is great Lindsay! More please!!

 

#13:  Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle PostPosted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 1:54 am

This is a suoer story Lindsay. Looking forward to seeing how Josie gets roound her family. She can't exactly keep it a secret if she wants to go to the Wold Cup.

 

#14:  Author: pim, Location: the place where public transport doesn't work properly! PostPosted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 3:20 am

Yay! Shiny new drabble! Loving it so far, more please?

 

#15:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 8:35 am

*promises to be forgiving of family complications*

This sounds very promising!

 

#16:  Author: Abi, Location: Alton, Hants PostPosted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 1:28 pm

Well it looks like there could be a few exitements here...... Keep going Lindsay!

 

#17:  Author: Nell, Location: London, England PostPosted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 1:39 pm

Lindsay lloks great, a promising start. Can see the family relationships getting complicated though...hope I don't get too confused! More conflicts...

 

#18:  Author: Sarah_L, Location: Redcar PostPosted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 1:39 pm

I wonder if the CS offers football as part of games, or if they let the girls watch football on the TV.

 

#19:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 2:20 pm

Very Happy Mary-Lou sounds as if she hasn't changed a bit!
More soon please!

 

#20:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 6:06 pm

Lindsay, have you forgotten to post the next bit? Just a gentle reminder.

 

#21:  Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans PostPosted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 6:25 pm

Nice and subtle there Jennie Razz

I loved Bend it like Beckham and this is a great start a CS related version Very Happy I quite like poor Josie, imagine having MaryLou for a grandmother (although that means she must have ahd kids and poor poor them!)

 

#22:  Author: Lindsay, Location: Sunny Kidderminster (or Sunny Sheffield in term-time) PostPosted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 6:29 pm

Thanks for all the positive feedback! I probably won't go into the complication family tree much (it's just too confusing!). I'll try & write the next bit ASAP but I can't promise that'll be today due to the fact I have a German literature essay to finish & I can't actually type properly due to having scolded my right hand by spilling hot soup everywhere at lunchtime! Am currently typing this post incredibly slowly with my left hand while the other one is imersed in cold water!

 

#23:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 6:33 pm

Ouch Lindsay!
If you can't manage to post tonight then we'll understand, hope your hand gets better soon!

 

#24:  Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 7:34 pm

Poor thing. Were you imitating Joey?

Hope you feel better soon.

 

#25:  Author: Lindsay, Location: Sunny Kidderminster (or Sunny Sheffield in term-time) PostPosted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 8:08 pm

The hand is slightly less sore now, thankyou! I'm fit enough to type now, anyway, so here's the next installment for all you people whose drabble appetite isn't easily satisfied (there'll be no more updates today though!)

Later that day, Josie left the school for a small nearby chalet where she and her older sister Louise lived under the guardianship of their grandmother Mary-Lou, a formidable woman who never let old age stand in her way and whose life centred around her two granddaughters. Her favourite occupation was picking out handsome young doctors from the local sanatorium to marry off to ex-chalet schoolgirls, especially those to whom she was related. Josie regarded her grandmother with a mixture of respect, fear, adoration and dread. Now that Mary-Lou had successfully initiated the match between Louise and young Dr Gardner and said match was about to result in a marriage, Josie knew that she would be next on her grandmother’s list.

“Ah, Josie, dear!” came the loud voice of Granny Mary-Lou, “There you are at last! Where on earth did you get to?” She surveyed her granddaughter critically, “You look sunburned. Have you been out in the sun?”

“Only for a little while,” Josie said, uncomfortably, “I was playing football with my friends.” As much as she knew Granny Mary-Lou did not approve in football – especially for young girls – Josie knew better than to lie to her.

“Football!” Mary-Lou frowned, “Really, Josephine, it won’t do for a girl of nearly seventeen to be out playing games – boys’ games no less! You’re too old to be running round in shorts with your hair all messed up and your face all sunburned! How do you expect that nice Dr Green to notice you now?”

“I –“ Josie began, but her grandmother was ahead of her already.

“Well, never mind!” Mary-Lou sighed in disapproval, “Go and get yourself cleaned up now dear! I’ve invited Dr Gardner to tea and I believe he might be bringing one or two colleagues with him” She winked slyly at Josie, who went red with embarrassment.

“Gran! I don’t care about any doctors!” Josie protested, although she knew it was useless.

“Nonsense!” Mary-Lou retorted, “Of course you do! Don’t you want to marry a nice good-looking young doctor like your sister when you leave school? I know that’s still a couple of years away, my dear, but there’s no harm in starting your search early. You’re turning into quite an attractive young lady, you know, are you could be if you took more care of your appearance. Of you go now! And put on that lovely lilac dress of yours!”

“Gran!” Josie complained. Tomboy as she was, the prospect of dressing up in the old-fashioned frocks that her grandmother loved so much was extremely repulsive, “Can’t I wear my black trousers with a nice shirt or something?”

“Don’t whine, Josephine. You look lovely in that lilac frock! I had one just like that when I was your age! You modern-day girls will insist on wearing such unbecoming masculine clothes!” She eyed Josie’s jeans with another disapproving look, “Now off you go and get dressed! And I don’t want to hear any more mention of football!” she added as Josie raced up the stairs.

 

#26:  Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans PostPosted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 8:34 pm

Poor Josie, being forced to wear a dress when you doon't want to is a right pain!

 

#27:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 8:38 pm

Awful thought. Is OOAOML turning into another Jo Maynard?

 

#28:  Author: Lindsay, Location: Sunny Kidderminster (or Sunny Sheffield in term-time) PostPosted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 8:41 pm

Jennie wrote:
Is OOAOML turning into another Jo Maynard?


Quite possibly! After all, they both share the same 'champion butter-in' talents, don't they? More similarities are perfectly probable.

 

#29:  Author: Sarah_L, Location: Redcar PostPosted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 8:42 pm

Mary-Lou does sound very like Jo. Maybe she modelled herself on Jo.

 

#30:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 8:43 pm

Oh dear, we are in for a time of it, then, aren't we?

 

#31:  Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination PostPosted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 8:44 pm

Poor Josie.

My parents stopped forcing me into to dresses when I slid into second base wearing one and put (a) a beautiful grass stain on the dress and (b) a beautiful lack on skin on my leg.

 

#32:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 11:04 pm

*also feels very sorry for Josie*

 

#33:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 11:45 pm

Poor Josie, I hope OOAOML gets over the doctor fixation for her grand-daughters soon!

 

#34:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 11:52 pm

I very much doubt she will!

 

#35:  Author: Mandy, Location: Derry, N.Ireland PostPosted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 12:10 am

*wonders where Josie and Louise's parents are?*

 

#36:  Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle PostPosted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 2:11 am

Feeling very sorry for Josie and her sister. Has OOAOML told the parents she is better at bringing up children than them?

 

#37:  Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough....... PostPosted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 4:22 am

poor Josie!!!
More please Lindsay!
And huggles over your scalded hand!! It hurts like crazy when you do that doesn't it?

 

#38:  Author: Nell, Location: London, England PostPosted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 10:25 am

Lindsay wrote:
...so here's the next installment for all you people whose drabble appetite isn't easily satisfied (there'll be no more updates today though!)


so what about today? Wink

Looking good - girls playing football is great, but then I may be slightly biased having done so myself at uni!! And Josie shouln't let OOAOML persuade her otherwise...feel sorry for her having to wear old fashioned dresses to meet to young doctors...

 

#39:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 5:44 pm

She ought to adopt a very simple technique to deter them. Be b****y rude. Or even ask them which one is the sacrifice on the altar of her grandmother's ambitions. That should make them run away as fast as their little legs will carry them.

 

#40:  Author: pim, Location: the place where public transport doesn't work properly! PostPosted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 5:48 pm

Oh poor Josie. *Thinks OOAOML needs slapping around for a bit with a large trout*

 

#41:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 5:50 pm

Make that a starting to stink trout, Pim, and I'll join you in the slapping.

 

#42:  Author: pim, Location: the place where public transport doesn't work properly! PostPosted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 5:53 pm

*obligingly goes off to find a stinking trout to give to Jennie*

 

#43:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 6:01 pm

Thank you, Pim, it's nice to know that there are still some obliging people in this world.

 

#44:  Author: pim, Location: the place where public transport doesn't work properly! PostPosted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 6:04 pm

Embarassed Thanks for the flowers. And I'm always ready to oblige, particularly if there's a good bit of comedy stylee trout slappage involved!

 

#45:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 6:15 pm

You're quite clearly growing into being a good CS or CBB girl, Pim. well done!

 

#46:  Author: Lindsay, Location: Sunny Kidderminster (or Sunny Sheffield in term-time) PostPosted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 6:16 pm

Mandy wrote:
*wonders where Josie and Louise's parents are?*


To be perfectly honest, I haven't worked that one out yet - maybe they're in England & have sent thier daughters to Switzerland because of the climate/school/abundance of handsome young doctors (well, their mother is Mary-Lou's daughter) or something. Perhaps I'd better leave it to the reader's imagination!

I will try & update later. I've just got back from possibly the most boring lecture ever & I'm going to be good & get some work done this evening! I'll do my best!

 

#47:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 6:18 pm

Can you imagine a fate worse than being OOAOML's daughter?
Answers on a postcard please.

 

#48:  Author: pim, Location: the place where public transport doesn't work properly! PostPosted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 6:19 pm

Not off the top of my head right now but I'm working on it... Wink

 

#49:  Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster PostPosted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 6:45 pm

Being Joey's??? The worst incarnation of whom we can possibly come up with!!!

 

#50:  Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 7:56 pm

I think having both ML and Joey as elderly relations would be awful.

It's interesting that ML is trying to match the girls up with docs whilst at school considering her attitude to boys in 'Problem' and the general 'mot done to talk like that' attitude that prevailed.

It is interesting though, reminds me of EJO in some ways.

 

#51:  Author: Lindsay, Location: Sunny Kidderminster (or Sunny Sheffield in term-time) PostPosted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 8:41 pm

Carolyn P wrote:
I think having both ML and Joey as elderly relations would be awful.

It's interesting that ML is trying to match the girls up with docs whilst at school considering her attitude to boys in 'Problem' and the general 'mot done to talk like that' attitude that prevailed.

It is interesting though, reminds me of EJO in some ways.


I haven't actually read 'problem' myself. I think maybe its a habit M-L has picked up as she's grown older. In her retirement, with nothing else to do, she wants to see her granddaughters well settled!

 

#52:  Author: Lindsay, Location: Sunny Kidderminster (or Sunny Sheffield in term-time) PostPosted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 8:44 pm

Next installment (a fairly long one too)

The next day was Saturday, and Josie was relieved to be able to escape from the house for a couple of hours in the afternoon. She and her sister had spent the morning sorting out Josie’s bridesmaid’s dress. Louise insisted she wanted her bridesmaids to wear salmon pink. Josie couldn’t think of anything more revolting. Some arguing had ensued and, combined with having to face a stern lecture from her grandmother regarding her “complete lack of decorum” at tea the night before, Josie was more than happy to get out and breathe freely. Her mind wandered back to tea last night with some amusement. Louise had spent the entire meal gazing lovingly at Dr Gardner while he gazed lovingly back at her. Mary-Lou, meanwhile, lost no time in promoting Josie to Dr Gardner’s two colleagues, neither of whom appealed to Josie at all. She giggled as she remembered their attempts at conversation…

“Josephine is going to be head-girl next year,” Mary-Lou confidently informed the two doctors, while Josie went red.

“Gran, you don’t know that!” she protested, shifting uncomfortably in her dress.

“She’s so modest, you know!” Mary-Lou continued, with a chuckle, “Of course you’ll be head girl next year, Josie! She’s such a well-rounded girl, you know” turning back to her guests, “ever so clever, and musical of course – and such a good sportswoman too!” One of the doctors brightened at the word ‘sport’.

“Really?” he said, turning to Josie with interest, “And what sports do you play at this school of yours?”

“All sorts,” Josie replied amiably, pleased to be able to talk about something she was actually vaguely interested in, “I’m mostly into football though. We don’t get to play that in PE, but in my spare time I play quite a lot. Are you interested in football at all?”

“Well, no, not really” replied the doctor, looking a little disappointed, “I’m an avid fan of polo myself. And I’m rather fond of croquet” Josie mentally rolled her eyes, but continued to make an effort at conversation.

“Oh, football’s great once you understand it!” she continued, “Maybe you could start watching a few England games – support your country, you know? They’re not doing too badly at the moment, and under Sven Goran Eriksson…” Here she was interrupted by doctor number two, who, with an excited look, said:

“Oh, isn’t he a Swedish songwriter? Are you interested in Swedish music, then? I’m a bit of an Abba fan myself. In fact, I’m part of a tribute band – ‘Du är mitt öde, mitt Waterloo’* -“

and he proceeded to enthusiastically demonstrate the art of pretending to be Bjorn by picking up Josie’s guitar, which just happened to be lying around the dining room, and giving an impromptu performance of “Dancing Queen” – much to the delight of Mary-Lou, who was something of a closet Abba-fan, although she would never admit it, and to the immense amusement of Josie, who burst out laughing and was in complete hysterics before she realised the ‘concert’ had stopped and ‘Bjorn’ was looking rather insulted at her reaction. Mary-Lou gave Josie a stern look that clearly said “I’ll deal with you later” and proceeded to cut up the cherry cake, which she dished out to everyone.

“Josie made this cake, you know” Mary-Lou said, as she handed slices to the two doctors. She wasn’t ready to give up her matchmaking schemes yet, “She’s a very good cook”.

Josie, who, significantly, hadn’t touched her slice, tried to suppress a grin as she saw the two guests take a bite of the cake, swallow it down with looks of clear disgust on their faces at the taste of it, and then feign delighted smiles with comments of “delicious” and “certainly very interesting”. Josie grinned with satisfaction. Substituting sugar for salt when making cakes was a favourite trick of hers. Unfortunately for her, her grandmother was well aware of this, and it was a venomous glare from her that prevented Josie’s giggles from breaking out again.

Josie had had to face the wrath of Mary-Lou that morning, but it was nothing she hadn’t experienced before, so she was in a fairly good mood when she went outside and ran across to a field where she saw some friends of hers having a kickabout. These friends were mostly boys, visitors from the local hotels or sons of patients or doctors at the sanatorium. A lot of them went to boarding school in England, but many of these had already started their summer holidays, and Josie reflected with some surprise that she only had one week of school left until the end of term.

“Hey, Josie!” one of them, who was rather on the large side and, standing between two old paint cans meant for goalposts, was clearly meant to be the ‘goalie’, “You joining in? We’re a man down!”

“Of course!” Josie called back, running onto the ‘pitch’, “what position?”

“Right wing!” another of them called out to her, “C’mon, let’s kick off!”

The game was fast and furious, with Josie scoring two of her team’s four goals. At ‘half-time’ she sat down on the grass, legs streaked with mud and her tangles hair falling out of its usual ponytail, and was surprised to see someone observing her. This person, she noticed, was walking towards her. It was a girl, but not one she knew. Certainly not a Chalet schoolgirl. She was tall, probably about the same age as Josie herself, perhaps a little older, with short hair and dressed, much to Josie’s approval, in joggers and a t-shirt.

“Hi!” the girl called out in an accent that was clearly English, “I’m Lucy Hastings” she held out her hand and Josie stood up to shake it.

“Josie Bettany” she replied, politely, eyeing this girl with curiosity.

“I’ve been watching you play,” Lucy explained, “I’ve been here on hols for a few weeks and I’ve noticed you lot playing footy at weekends. You’re really good, you know.”

“Thanks,” Josie said, not quite sure where this conversation was going…


* Translation “You are my destiny, my Waterloo”, taken from the original Swedish lyrics.


And that’s all for today!

 

#53:  Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination PostPosted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 9:19 pm

Ohh, maybe someone that Josie can play with.

 

#54:  Author: pim, Location: the place where public transport doesn't work properly! PostPosted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 9:21 pm

Argh OOAOML hammer She's awful!

 

#55:  Author: Lindsay, Location: Sunny Kidderminster (or Sunny Sheffield in term-time) PostPosted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 9:22 pm

Chelsea wrote:
Ohh, maybe someone that Josie can play with.


Maybe....

All will be revealed (just not today!)

 

#56:  Author: Nicci, Location: UK PostPosted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 9:43 pm

love the idea of ML as a closet Abba fan!!

 

#57:  Author: Chloë, Location: London: when away from home planet! PostPosted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 10:14 pm

Yay thnaks Lindsay this is really great!

 

#58:  Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 10:19 pm

Love the way Josie deals with ML!! Laughing

This is following Bend it like Becham is it???

 

#59:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 10:29 pm

Wonderful thank you - giggling over idiot doctor singing ABBA songs!!

 

#60:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 10:49 pm

Laughing At Mary-Lou being a closet Abba fan!
More soon please!

 

#61:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 11:43 pm

Lindsay wrote:
All will be revealed (just not today!)


Oh, why not today?!

 

#62:  Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 11:45 pm

KB wrote:
Lindsay wrote:
All will be revealed (just not today!)


Oh, why not today?!


Because Lindsay said so??

 

#63:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 11:57 pm

What's the real reason?

 

#64:  Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle PostPosted: Wed Mar 17, 2004 12:51 pm

Thanks for more story Lindsay. If my gran had behaved like ML I thimk I would have walked out. Surprise ML didn't say anything about him singing during tea. Giggled at the salt in the cake.

 

#65:  Author: Lindsay, Location: Sunny Kidderminster (or Sunny Sheffield in term-time) PostPosted: Wed Mar 17, 2004 5:36 pm

Carolyn P wrote:


This is following Bend it like Becham is it???


Yep, it's loosely based on Bend It Like Beckham, with a few alterations to make it fit in the the CS of course!

 

#66:  Author: Lindsay, Location: Sunny Kidderminster (or Sunny Sheffield in term-time) PostPosted: Wed Mar 17, 2004 8:13 pm

KAPITEL FÜNF!

“So,” Josie said after a moment or two of awkward silence, “Are you here with your family then?”

“Oh, no” Lucy replied, shaken out of her awkwardness, “I’m working temporarily at the Gasthaus over there” she gestured towards a large chalet a couple of hundred yards away, “But that’s not really what I wanted to talk to you about.” Josie looked at her questioningly. “Listen, do you play for any club side?”

“What do you mean?” Josie asked, confused.

“I mean do you play football for a ladies’ team or something?” Lucy explained, patiently.

“Oh, no!” Josie looked surprised, “We don’t play it at school – they say it’s a boys’ game. I didn’t think there were any teams for girls.” Now it was Lucy’s turn to look surprised.

“Didn’t you?!” she exclaimed, “What, haven’t you heard of Arsenal Ladies? Or the English Womens’ national team?” She stared wide-eyed at Josie, who felt slightly foolish.

“No – not really,” Josie explained, “You see, I’ve lived here in Switzerland nearly all my life and I only get to hear about the English Premier League – the mens’ one, of course.”

“But it’s not just English girls,” Lucy went on, “I mean, there are plenty of Swiss teams with girls’ sides. Grasshopper Zurich, for example. Their ladies have just gone professional.”

“Professional?” Josie was amazed, “What, paid to pay football? Like in the English mens’ league?”

“Of course,” Lucy replied, “Us girls are just as good as the men at footy, you know – technically, at any rate. They tend to be on the stronger side, but there’s not a lot we can do about that!” She grinned at Josie, who smiled back.

“Do you play for a girls’ team, then?” Josie enquired, having noticed Lucy use the words “us” and “we”.

“Yep,” Lucy said proudly, “Wolverley Athletic, second in the womens’ premiership. We’re semi-professional, but we hope to become professional in a few seasons’ time. I’m a centre forward, by the way. That’s why I’m here, really” she continued, “Because of the team, I mean. It’s close season at the moment, but we’ve got a kind of summer tournament here with a few other European sides in a few weeks’ time. The whole team will be out here next week, but I’ve come out to earn some money first of all. I wondered if you’d be interested in joining us?”

“Me?” Josie said, incredulously, “But I’ve never played on a proper team before!”

“Doesn’t matter,” Lucy said with a grin, “You’ve got all the skills. Of course, it’s our coach who really has the final say on who joins the team and all that, but we could do with some new girls. You play in midfield, don’t you?”

“Right wing usually,” Josie answered her.

“Good,” Lucy said, “Our regular right midfielder has left the team to go to uni, so we really could use someone new. You could give it a go in the summer tournament. Since you’re here anyway, why shouldn’t you join us?”

“I – I don’t know,” stammered Josie, thinking of her grandmother’s potential reaction.

“Listen, you don’t have to decide now,” Lucy said kindly, “Our first proper training session is next Saturday, on the sports field outside the Gasthaus where I’m working. Come along if you want to. I’ll explain things to Ben – that’s our coach by the way.”

“Okay,” Josie replied, “I’ll think about it.”

“Good!” Lucy grinned at her again before saying; “I’m due back at work in ten minutes, so I’d better go. I hope I’ll see you next Saturday!” she called as ran off towards the Gasthaus, leaving Josie to reflect over what she’d just heard. Could she ever be good enough to play in a proper team? Professionally? And what would Granny Mary-Lou say?…

 

#67:  Author: Xanthe, Location: London/Cambridge PostPosted: Wed Mar 17, 2004 8:28 pm

*doing the happy drabble-dance*

thank you Lindsay Very Happy

 

#68:  Author: pim, Location: the place where public transport doesn't work properly! PostPosted: Wed Mar 17, 2004 8:32 pm

*thinks someone should gag OOAO so that she can't say anything*

 

#69:  Author: Lindsay, Location: Sunny Kidderminster (or Sunny Sheffield in term-time) PostPosted: Wed Mar 17, 2004 8:39 pm

pim wrote:
*thinks someone should gag OOAO so that she can't say anything*


Oh, but that would spoil the fun of writing it! Very Happy

 

#70:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Wed Mar 17, 2004 9:05 pm

Thanks Lindsay! Can't wait to see M-L's reaction! Laughing

 

#71:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Wed Mar 17, 2004 9:08 pm

Excellent - thanks Lindsay!

More please - really wanting to see OOAOML's reaction - maybe she'll have a stroke! Laughing

 

#72:  Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Wed Mar 17, 2004 9:22 pm

Excellent Lindsay. I wondered how you would find a ladies team.

Looking forward to seeing how ML reacts.

 

#73:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Wed Mar 17, 2004 10:55 pm

I don't think OOAO will be told immediately...

 

#74:  Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans PostPosted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 1:16 am

Poor Josie, not even knowing about Women's footmall.
*sits back and waits for the sparks when ML hears*

 

#75:  Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle PostPosted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 1:54 am

Thank you Lindsay. That was brilliant. Josie is super. Waiting ML's reaction.

 

#76:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 5:07 pm

I really can't see OOAOML being hugely gratified by the News of Josie's playing in a proper football team.

 

#77:  Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination PostPosted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 8:19 pm

But surely with her trick of 'getting into other people's skin', she'll understand Josie's desire!!

 

#78:  Author: Lindsay, Location: Sunny Kidderminster (or Sunny Sheffield in term-time) PostPosted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 9:16 pm

ACHTUNG Exclamation – This will probably be the last update until around Monday evening (I’m going home tomorrow for the weekend & may not get any time on my computer). Enjoy!


Chapitre numéro six!


One long week later, and it was the first day of the summer holidays. In an unusual fit of lenience, possibly due to the fact Josie had had a very good report and deserved a holiday, Mary-Lou had given her granddaughter permission to spend the day at leisure while she and Louise frantically made preparation for Louise’s wedding, which was now in just over a months’ time. For this Josie was extremely grateful and, having told Mary-Lou that she was going on a long morning walk with some of her friends who lived locally, set out towards the sports field pointed out by Lucy Hastings a week before. Only Emily knew about the team. Josie felt it would be good to have some back up in case she was found out and since Emily also lived locally she could always say she’d been with her. This had in fact been Emily’s own idea.

“If your Gran asks, just say you were over at my place!” Emily had said, enthusiastically, “Wow! A real team! This is fantastic, Jo!”

“Isn’t it?” Josie had a wide grin on her face, unable to suppress her excitement.

“Hey, can I come and see your first match?” Emily had pleaded.

“Em, it’s not like I’m even on the team yet,” Josie pointed out, “they might not want me.”

“Don’t be stupid, of course they will,” Emily replied breezily, “So, can I come and watch?”

“If I get that far you can,” Josie replied with a little surprise, “But I thought you said you found football boring.”

“In general I do,” Emily admitted, “But it’s different when your friend’s on the team!”

Back in the present, Josie was beginning to feel a little apprehensive. She had seen nobody from the team apart from Lucy and wasn’t quite sure what to expect. She gingerly approached the playing field to see that a group of around twenty five or so girls around her age or older were warming up, following the instructions of a man in his twenties. Josie guessed this must be the coach.

Catching sight of Josie out of the corner of her eye, Lucy broke away from the group and ran to meet her, while the coach followed behind her at a slower pace.

“You came!” Lucy greeted her rapturously, “I’m so pleased!” Josie could only smile back through the increasing nervousness she was feeling.

“Is this your friend then, Lucy?” the coach asked, “The local girl?”

“Yeah, this is Josie Bettany,” Lucy replied, “Josie, this is our coach, Ben McLeod.”

“Nice to meet you, Josie,” Ben said with a friendly smile, looking very different compared to when he was barking orders at his team. Josie relaxed a little, “You’d better go and join the warm-up and we’ll see what you can do. D’you have any boots?”

“N-no, I haven’t,” Josie stammered, feeling embarrassed, but Lucy immediately cut in.

“Oh, never mind that!” she said, “I’ve got some old ones you can borrow until you get your own! They’ll do for now.”

“Thanks,” Josie replied gratefully, and Lucy ran off to fetch the boots in question.
“A real talent, she is,” Ben commented, nodding towards Lucy, “Solid centre forward, but she could do with some support, and some more service for that matter. She tells me you’re a right winger.”

“Usually,” Josie nodded, “I can play anywhere across midfield, but right’s best.”

“Well, we could certainly do with a real winger out on the right,” Ben continued, “Our best winger has left us and we’ve had to make do with a makeshift midfield.” At this point Lucy returned, holding a pair of rather worn-looking but perfectly useable football boots.

“Here you go,” she handed them to Josie, “Has Ben been showing you all the ropes then? He’s the boss here, of course. I’m not sure he likes me playing scout, but he’ll soon see how good you are!” Josie blushed and Ben laughed.

“You’d do well to remember who’s really in charge here, Lucy” he said to her, “This team may have been your idea, but you’re no coach! Having said that, you’re bossy enough!”

“Cheeky!” Lucy retorted, playfully.

“The team was your idea?” Josie asked her with interest.

“Oh, yeah,” Lucy said happily, “I used to go and watch our local mens’ side and I suggested-“

“She whined and whined about not having a girls’ team nearby so much that the club had to give in and set one up,” Ben interrupted, “And they asked me to be head coach.”

“He used to be on the mens’ team,” Lucy added, “Until a couple of seasons ago.”

Lucy was about to ask why, but Ben anticipated her.

“Injury,” he explained, “So I’m coaching rather than playing. No, off you go, you two and get warmed up!”

“I think he likes you, you know,” Lucy said as she and Josie ran to meet the group.

“Really?” Josie said.

“Of course,” Lucy said, “he was really friendly to you. He’s usually pretty strict with us.” Josie didn’t think he’d been particularly strict with Lucy, but didn’t say anything about it. She had a feeling that perhaps Lucy had a closer relationship with Ben than the others, or that she certainly wanted to.

“So, Luce” a tall dark girl wearing the captain’s armband called out as they reached the others, “You going to introduce our new trialist?”

“Naturally,” Lucy replied, “Girls, this is Josie Bettany. Josie, this is our captain, Sue Jones, and that’s Karen and Wendy and Laura…and Rachel and Hannah…” Lucy continued with the introductions, but Josie didn’t hear her. Her mind was too busy dreaming about the prospect of playing for a proper team. If she got through the trial successfully, she’d have a proper kit and everything. It all seemed almost too good to be true.

 

#79:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 9:21 pm

Thanks Lindsay, I hope Josie scores loads of goals and impresses them all!

 

#80:  Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans PostPosted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 9:56 pm

And so we meet the team at last Very Happy Nice to know Josie has someone to support her at least in Emily. Ben sounds nice too...

Have a good weekend Lindsay

 

#81:  Author: Xanthe, Location: London/Cambridge PostPosted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 10:35 pm

*doing the happy-drabble-dance*

Thanks Lindsay, hope you have a good weekend Smile

 

#82:  Author: Mandy, Location: Derry, N.Ireland PostPosted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 10:48 pm

This is coming on nicely Lindsay, bring on Monday.

 

#83:  Author: pim, Location: the place where public transport doesn't work properly! PostPosted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 10:57 pm

Yay more! Love the bit about Emily only liking footie when her friend's on the team - reminds me of myself (flatmate is captain of the uni womens footie team).

*eagerly awaiting more*

 

#84:  Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle PostPosted: Fri Mar 19, 2004 3:22 am

Thank you Lindsay. It is so nice to see more. Hope Josie does well and is left to her own devises by ML while the team is aroound.

 

#85:  Author: Nell, Location: London, England PostPosted: Fri Mar 19, 2004 10:54 am

Hooray more drabble!! This is looking good and as a footballer I'm especially enjooying it!!

 

#86:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sat Mar 20, 2004 1:55 pm

Is there any more drabble to come soon?

 

#87:  Author: Abi, Location: Alton, Hants PostPosted: Sat Mar 20, 2004 5:12 pm

*chants eagerly at Lindsay*

 

#88:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sat Mar 20, 2004 5:30 pm

I can't see OOAOML leaving her grad-daughter alone to play football when she could be snaring a nice young doctor.

 

#89:  Author: Janet, Location: Ferndown, Dorset PostPosted: Sat Mar 20, 2004 6:20 pm

A football drabble?!! Shocked

The Chalet School meets Playing the Field!! Very Happy

I like it - very clever!
Looking forward to Monday, Lindsay!

 

#90:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Sun Mar 21, 2004 6:47 am

*hopes there is more, and soon*

 

#91:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sun Mar 21, 2004 4:03 pm

Hopes Lindsay will be able to post on Monday.

 

#92:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 6:46 am

*points out, very quietly and nicely, that it's Monday*

 

#93:  Author: Lindsay, Location: Sunny Kidderminster (or Sunny Sheffield in term-time) PostPosted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 10:50 am

*Points out, just as quietly, that I have lectures in such exciting topics as French eating habits & German film today so will not be able to post (& actually write) another update until this evening.*

I will do my very very best to update later. Thankyou for all the very encourgaging comments (It's helping me get over the cloud of depression that has been hanging over me since Yakubu scored for Pompey against the mighty Saints yesterday.)

 

#94:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 10:52 am

And here I was thinking you'd posted more! Crying or Very sad

 

#95:  Author: Abi, Location: Alton, Hants PostPosted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 4:20 pm

Surely you don't mean that you rate lectures over writing drabbles Lindsay? Wink

 

#96:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 6:22 pm

Lindsay, priorities, please.

 

#97:  Author: Lindsay, Location: Sunny Kidderminster (or Sunny Sheffield in term-time) PostPosted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 7:58 pm

Okay, okay! As much as I would love to spend all day writing this drabble typing , I'm not sure my tutors student would appreciate it and I do have an exam next week, so please take pity!

However, since you have all been waiting patiently, I am rewarding you with the next installment of my story Very Happy


For the next two weeks, Josie was felt pretty pleased with herself. The day after her trial, she had been met at the Gasthaus by an excited Lucy who told her that she had made the squad, at least for the summer tournament anyway. Since then Josie had managed to attend all the team’s training sessions – which she thoroughly enjoyed and found she was integrating well into – without arousing any suspicion at home. Mary-Lou was under the contented impression that Josie was spending a lot of her time with Emily. This she saw as only natural – the girls were good friends as well as relatives, and Josie’s grandmother, although far from spoiling her granddaughter, was indulgent enough to let Josie enjoy herself in the holidays, especially considering the fact that both Josie and Emily would soon be starting their last year at school and after that they would probably end up going their separate ways.

When she wasn’t with the team, Josie did her best to behave as Mary-Lou expected and help with Louise’s wedding preparations as much as she could. The system seemed to be working perfectly, and the end of the fortnight was topped off when Ben called Josie aside at the end of Friday’s practice match.

“Well done, Josie, that was some very good footwork,” he commented as they walked towards the Gasthaus, “Your headers could do with some work, but otherwise I’m very pleased with you.” Josie blushed happily. She knew she was good, but it was something different hearing it from someone who had been involved in professional football.

“I like the partnership you and Lucy have got down the right wing,” Ben continued, “She really benefits from your service, and you give us that extra attacking option from midfield. So I want you to play in our warm-up match tomorrow. We’re playing a womens’ team from Interlaken. Amateurs, but they’re experienced and it will do you all some good to play against another team before the tournament starts. Are you free tomorrow afternoon? The match will be here of course.”

“O-of course!” Josie could barely contain her excitement, “I’ll be there!”

“Good. Two o’clock then. No later. See you tomorrow.” He smiled at her and went to join the team while Josie ran home for the final adjustments on her bridesmaids’ dress to be made.

“Ah, good, you’re here,” Mary-Lou was opened the front-door as Josie approached it, “Birgitta is here with your dress. We need you to try it on so she can make alterations.”

“Okay,” Josie replied, somewhat breathlessly due to having run home after the strenuous training session.

“You look flushed,” her grandmother, said, critically, “You really shouldn’t run so much, Josie. You’ll wear yourself out in this weather, and it’s hardly very becoming for a young lady not far off seventeen to be running about wildly all the time.”

“Yes, Gran,” Josie said automatically, “I’ll go and clean up, then. Be back in a mo!” With that, she ran up the stairs, earning a disapproving look from Mary-Lou.

“Oh, Jo!” Josie’s sister looked up as Josie came back down the stairs and into the sitting room, having freshened up her general appearance, “I’m glad you’re here. I really want these dresses all finished as soon as possible.”

“Here is your dress, Fraulein Josephine,” Birgitta, a local dressmaker who had been discussing shoes with Louise, held up what Josie had to admit was a very beautifully made dress. Shame it was such a revolting colour. Josie took it from her and surveyed it from a minute.

“Well?” Louise said, impatiently, “Aren’t you going to try it on? I need Birgitta to get this done so I can order the right coloured flowers.”

“Okay, okay” Josie replied, “Calm down, Lou, I’m trying it on.” And so she did, and had to suffer half an hour standing in the middle of the room wearing what looked to Josie like a salmon-pink meringue whilst trying to dodge the pins, which Birgitta was rather absent-mindedly sticking into the dress here and there.

“You know, with your hair curled, Josie, you won’t look at all bad” Louise stood back and surveyed her sister, who rolled her eyes back, “Really, you actually look quite pretty when you’re not dressed in your old shorts and splattered with mud.”

“Why, thankyou, Louise,” Josie replied, her voice laced with irony which was lost on her pretty but somewhat dim older sister.

“Okay, Fraulein Josephine,” Birgitta managed to say despite trying to hold two pins between her teeth, “I have finished. You may take off the dress, and I will do the alterations now, if that is acceptable to Fraulein Louise.”

“Oh, yes, please do!” Louise said gratefully, before dragging Josie, who had barely managed to get the pin-covered dress off safely, into the kitchen, in which there was a large table piled with catalogues from various…

“Florists!” Louise announced happily, “C’mon Jo, help me go through these. They’re all local florists, so when we’ve picked out the flowers I want, we can go and get them ordered tomorrow afternoon. I also need to collect the serviettes and stuff, so I’ll need you to help my carry everything.”

“Er – what time will we be going?” Josie asked, looking rather pale.

“You’d better make it no later than fourteen o’clock,” said Mary-Lou, who had entered the kitchen to hear the girls’ conversation, “I have an old friend coming for tea and I’ll want you two to be back here at five. And Louise, you have an appointment with the caterer tomorrow morning.”

“Oh, yes!” Louise said, in sudden remembrance, “Well, we’ll go after Mittagessen then.”

“Are you sure you need me, Lou?” Josie asked, plaintively, “I’ll only be in the way.”

“Nonsense!” Mary-Lou answered for Louise, “Your sister needs you. You can help her with her shopping, and it’ll do you good to see what this wedding preparation business is all about. It’ll be your turn soon, Josie, you mark my words! No, you are going with Louise and that’s final.”

“Okay,” Josie said glumly, before excusing herself ‘to get some fresh air’. Great, she thought, sarcastically, I’m supposed to be in two places at once. If I miss the game, I’ll probably never be given another chance to play in a proper team in a real match, but Gran’ll go spare if I don’t go with Lou.

Josie sat down on a swing and mulled over her thoughts. She needed a good excuse, one that would convince the incredibly perceptive Mary-Lou. It was time to figure out a plan….

 

#98:  Author: Chloë, Location: London: when away from home planet! PostPosted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 8:21 pm

*applauds*

Thanks Lindsay this is great!

 

#99:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 8:22 pm

Hope she manages to come up with a good scheme!

Thanks Lindsay!

 

#100:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 8:58 pm

Lovely, Lindsay. Why is OOAOML so keen to get her grand-daughters married of so young. she had a uni education, so why shouldn't they?

 

#101:  Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans PostPosted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 10:43 pm

Thanks Lindsay, tutors can be so unresonable expecting you to work and all...

Can she come up with a plan or will she just go to the match anyway?

 

#102:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 10:45 pm

Perhaps she could wear the salmon pink meringue to play in. That would stop her having to be a bridesmaid.

 

#103:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 11:33 pm

*lol* Can't wait to see how she gets out of this one!

 

#104:  Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 11:36 pm

Thanks Lindsay.

 

#105:  Author: Nicole, Location: New Zealand PostPosted: Tue Mar 23, 2004 12:00 pm

Fantastic stuff, Lindsay

Can't wait to see more.

 

#106:  Author: Lindsay, Location: Sunny Kidderminster (or Sunny Sheffield in term-time) PostPosted: Tue Mar 23, 2004 7:51 pm

Jennie wrote:
Lovely, Lindsay. Why is OOAOML so keen to get her grand-daughters married of so young. she had a uni education, so why shouldn't they?


I don't think she minds a university education for her granddaughters, it's just that she wants to know they'll be well-settled afterwards and there's no harm in brainwashing them while they're still young and under her care. Well, I had to make ML fit into my story somehow, even if it does require some poetic licence when it comes to her character! Lets just say ML has aged, not too gracefully, and consequently changed, and not necessarily for the better!

 

#107:  Author: Lindsay, Location: Sunny Kidderminster (or Sunny Sheffield in term-time) PostPosted: Tue Mar 23, 2004 8:45 pm

Chapter åtta!


“Er, Lou?” Josie asked timidly at supper that evening, “Could we not go and do your shopping a little earlier tomorrow? It’s just I promised Lucy – you know, the girl I told you about who’s staying over at the Gasthaus – that I’d show her around a bit tomorrow. She’s been working mostly, and she hasn’t seen much yet. I said I’d meet her at two in the afternoon.”

“Well, I suppose so,” Louise replied, not looking particularly bothered.

“But, Louise! The caterer?” Mary-Lou exclaimed.

“The caterer’ll be gone by eleven,” Louise reassured her, “Josie and I can go after that.”

“Oh, alright, then,” Mary-Lou agreed, “Since Josie has promised to meet this Lucy girl, I don’t suppose it’ll do any harm. Just remember to be back by tea-time.”

“Thanks, Gran!” Josie smiled gratefully, and went to bed that night feeling pleased with herself.

And so, at ten minutes past eleven the next morning, Josie and her sister set out for the nearest town in search of flowers, serviettes, and…

“Shoes!” Josie cried, suddenly, spying a sports shop out of the corner of her eye, “I need some boots of my own!”

“What on earth are you going on about?” Louise asked.

“I need some foot- I mean shoes! For the wedding!” Josie collected herself and answered her sister, “All I have are my black school shoes and my old sandals. I’d better get some new ones.”

“You? Worrying about shoes?” Louise looked slightly amazed, “Jo, as much as I’d love to encourage this newfound femininity of yours, we really don’t have time to go shoe-shopping if you want to be back by two. I’ve still got to go to Herr Dreier’s to book my hair appointment, and then on to –“

“Can’t you do all that while I go shopping for shoes?” Josie suggested, “Please, Lou?”

“Alright, but meet me back here in an hour,” Louise agreed, and Josie walked off happily in search of her very own pair of football boots.

Entering the sports shop she had seen before, Josie stood in awe of the array of football boots before her. She had been saving her pocket money for months with a view of getting some boots of her own and her grandmother had given her some money a few weeks ago to buy some shoes for the wedding, which Josie had, until now, conveniently forgotten to do. Before an hour had passed, she was meeting her sister, accompanied by a carrier bag containing a simple pair of black heeled shoes, which rather disappointed Louise, but were about as ‘girly’ as Josie was going to go, and a pair of brand new black and silver carefully concealed football boots. No more borrowing Lucy’s tattered old ones.

It didn’t take long for Josie to deposit hers and Louise’s purchases at home before grabbing her kit and new boots and running over to the Gasthaus. She arrived at ten to two, to find the team already assembled in the dressing room.

“Wow! New boots!” Lucy exclaimed, as they got changed for the match, “When did you get those?”

“This morning,” Josie grinned, “I told Gran and Lou I was buying shoes for the wedding. Oh, if you see them and they ask, I’ve been showing you round the area, okay?”

“They still don’t know about the team?” Lucy replied, raising an eyebrow. Josie had told her about her situation.

“Would I be here if they did?” Josie answered, tying her shoelaces.

“Girls! Get out there and warm up! Now!” the voice of Ben McLeod penetrated the excited chatter of the girls on the team. Immediately, knowing that Ben was the boss, they filed out of the changing room in their red and white kits and ran out onto the pitch to do their routine stretches and exercises. The Interlaken women were already out there, dressed in blue.

Within fifteen minutes, the game had started and despite some early scares from the experienced Interlaken ladies, which took them one-nil up, the talent and skill of the English semi-professionals began to show. Lucy Hastings scored just before the half-time whistle to equalise, and a well-fought second half reached a climax on the seventy-third minute, when captain Sue was brought down by a tiring Interlaken defender and awarded a free-kick. It was in a dangerous position; about twenty-five yards out, and after a quick discussion with Sue and Lucy, Josie stepped up to take it. Free kicks were a speciality of hers. Breathing steadily, she mentally pictured the free-kick she was about to take before taking a short run-up and kicking it neatly so it curled over the defensive wall and out of the reach of the goalkeeper and finally into the back of the net. The next thing Josie knew was that she was being mobbed her teammates in a wild celebration. She played the rest of the match with confidence and skill, setting up another goal for Lucy, leaving the final score at 3-1. As she walked off the pitch, congratulating the others, she caught the eye of Ben, who grinned and applauded her. She felt on top of the world, and chatted eagerly with the others as they got dressed again. She couldn’t have been in a better mood, until…

“So, how long has this been going on?” Josie was met by a stern-looking Louise as she left the Gasthaus…

 

#108:  Author: pim, Location: the place where public transport doesn't work properly! PostPosted: Tue Mar 23, 2004 9:09 pm

Eek! Oops... *plumps down to wait for more* Great stuff!

 

#109:  Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans PostPosted: Wed Mar 24, 2004 12:45 am

*gulp*
That didn't sound too good as a first reaction...

 

#110:  Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia PostPosted: Wed Mar 24, 2004 7:10 am

*shrieks loudly and clutches the edge of the cliff for support* Help, where did that come from?!

Still, I'm glad she had a good game!

 

#111:  Author: Mandy, Location: Derry, N.Ireland PostPosted: Wed Mar 24, 2004 11:38 am

uh-oh, so will Louise tell ML or not?

 

#112:  Author: Chloë, Location: London: when away from home planet! PostPosted: Wed Mar 24, 2004 7:17 pm

Yay thanks Lindsay! Very Happy

 

#113:  Author: Tassie_Ellen, Location: Tasmania, Australia PostPosted: Thu Mar 25, 2004 12:41 pm

Oo-er, what next? Will Louise spill the beans, or will she be an understanding big sister when Josie explains?

Really enjoying this story, Lindsay, thanks muchly!

Ellen *hoping Louise will NOT tell OOAO what Josie's been up to*

ETA just noticed this is my 100th post - thought I'd never get there! popper

 

#114:  Author: Nell, Location: London, England PostPosted: Thu Mar 25, 2004 5:09 pm

Definately eek! oops!

Will lousie tell??? lindsay please let us know soon?

 

#115:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Thu Mar 25, 2004 5:10 pm

Why did Louise use that tone of voice? Is she incharge of Josie, or is she being absolutely insufferable?

 

#116:  Author: Toria, Location: London PostPosted: Thu Mar 25, 2004 7:26 pm

I'm loving this so far....what's going to happen next?

 

#117:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Thu Mar 25, 2004 9:47 pm

Want to know what Louise is going to do!

 

#118:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Fri Mar 26, 2004 1:39 pm

What, no more of this? Goes off, muttering in a disappointed way.

 

#119:  Author: Lindsay, Location: Sunny Kidderminster (or Sunny Sheffield in term-time) PostPosted: Fri Mar 26, 2004 9:04 pm

Sorry for the delay! Here's the next installment, entitled "out of the frying and into the fire"...

“I -,” Josie began.

“What were you thinking, Jo?!” Louise interrupted her, “You know Gran doesn’t like you playing football!”

“That’s why I’ve been playing secretly!” Josie protested, “Look, Lou, please don’t tell Gran! I never told her about all those times you and your friends used to go and smoke in the san carpark!”

“That was ages ago!” Louise retorted, “I was barely seventeen, then. You’ve got to grow up, Josie. How d’you expect to make something out of your life if you run around a muddy field all day kicking a ball around! What about your education? You can’t play all the time if you want to go to uni! And what about after that? No respectable, well-educated guy’s going to want to marry a soccer-mad tomboy, are they?”

“Lou, I’m not seventeen yet,” Josie pointed out, “And it’s not like I’m doing anyone any harm. It’s my life, not yours. You can have your respectable, well-educated husband. My playing football isn’t going to stop that.”

“I suppose not,” Louise’s face softened. Josie was her little sister, after all, “Come on, let’s go home. And don’t worry, I won’t tell Gran. Just promise me you’ll start thinking about your future a little? Football isn’t going to earn you a living, you know.”

“Okay,” Josie agreed. She was about to protest that people could make a living out of football, but felt this probably wasn’t a good time to mention this.

“Alright, then. Let’s go.”

With that, the two sisters walked home to their grandmother, who was still blissfully unaware of Josie’s little secret. And the situation remained the same for the next couple of weeks. Louise covered for Josie during football matches, and in return Josie helped all she could with wedding preparations. The team were on fire in the tournament, and after beating their quarterfinal opponents 2-0, Josie invited Lucy to come and have tea with her at home.

“Are you sure?” Lucy said, “I’d love to come! Hang on, I’m just going to get something from my room!” And once she had returned, they made their way to Josie’s house and ran upstairs to Josie’s bedroom.

“This is what I went to get from my room,” Lucy explained, taking two magazines out of her bag.

“What are they?” Josie asked, curiously.

“A couple of football mags,” Lucy explained, “about professional womens’ football in Europe. Look, here’s a page about the German league. All these teams are professional now, and some of them even have academies for younger girls. I really want to play for a professional team. Any of the European leagues would suit me, but the German one’s the best. England are so far behind compared to them.” Josie flicked through the magazines eagerly.

“How are you going to do it, then?” Josie asked.

“Well, Ben’s helping me, of course,” Lucy went slightly pink at the mention of their rather good-looking coach, “He’s said he’s going to arrange for some European scouts to watch a game, possibly during this tournament. He thinks I’ve really got what it takes!”

“That’s brilliant!” Josie grinned excitedly, “Wow! A real professional footballer! I wish I could do that!”

“But you could! You’re good enough, I’m sure you are! And Ben’s said all sorts of really nice things about you.”

“I don’t know,” Josie frowned slightly, “I’d love to, of course, but I’m not sure my family would approve.”

“Oh,” Lucy didn’t really know what to say, knowing the basics of Josie’s situation, “Well, maybe your Gran’ll change her mind. You never know.”

“Not very likely,” Josie said, glumly, and suddenly the door burst open, revealing a very angry-looking Mary-Lou holding Josie’s muddy football boots.

“What,” she barked, “are these, Josephine?!”

“Football boots,” Josie mumbled, going red.

“Yes, football boots!” Mary-Lou snapped, and Lucy, making frantically apologetic signals at her friend, quickly left the room, “For playing football! Josephine, what did I say about football?!” Mary-Lou’s voice had gone up a couple of octaves in her fury.

Josie opened her mouth to answer but no words came out.

“I know you haven’t been at Emily’s this week when you said you were, Josephine,” Mary-Lou continued, her voice now dangerously low, “I’ve just heard from her mother that Emily has been in bed with a bad cold all week. And Frau Schnickelgruber saw you! Twice! She said you were over at the Gasthaus, dressed like some ruffian in shorts! And playing football!” Mary-Lou was so angry she couldn’t express herself in words anymore. She just stared venomously at her rather terrified granddaughter. fume

“Gran, I-“ Josie tried to conjure up some sort of explanation, but it was useless.

“No, we will say nothing about it,” Mary-Lou said sternly, “Nothing. You will forget about this football team of yours. For the next few weeks, you will spend your time helping me arrange your sister’s wedding. Goodness knows there’s a lot to do, and maybe you’ll learn something from your sister while you’re at it!”

“But –“ Josie protested, pitifully.

“Not another word, Josephine,” Mary-Lou eyed her angrily, “We will not discuss this again. It never happened, do you hear? There is no football! It doesn’t exist. You’ll just have to live your life without it like the rest of us do!” With that, she stormed out of the room, leaving a rather shaken Josie, who sat down on the floor and looked sadly at the magazines that Lucy had forgotten to take with her. There was just no arguing with Granny Mary-Lou, she thought, but football was a part of Josie Bettany. A world without football would be dreadful. Living without it wouldn’t be living at all. But there was nothing to be done. When Mary-Lou felt this strongly about something, Josie knew she was beaten. She put the magazines at the bottom of a box at the bottom of her wardrobe. She wouldn’t be needing them any more.

 

#120:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Fri Mar 26, 2004 11:16 pm

Noooooo! Josie must not give up - she will play football - can't she bump off Mary-Lou or something?

Great post - thanks! Laughing

 

#121:  Author: Caroline OSullivan, Location: Reading, Berkshire, UK PostPosted: Fri Mar 26, 2004 11:21 pm

Oh poor Josie Crying or Very sad poke Mary-Lou hammer

 

#122:  Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough....... PostPosted: Fri Mar 26, 2004 11:51 pm

*agrees with Caroline*

 

#123:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sat Mar 27, 2004 2:08 pm

So, OOAOML has put her foot down, what a horrible thing to do to her grand=daughter.

 

#124:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Sat Mar 27, 2004 4:31 pm

Poor Josie, hope she finds a way of defying OOAOML soon!

 

#125:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sat Mar 27, 2004 5:09 pm

I'm sure she will, after all, she seems like a chip off the old block in many ways.

 

#126:  Author: Lindsay, Location: Sunny Kidderminster (or Sunny Sheffield in term-time) PostPosted: Sat Mar 27, 2004 6:47 pm

Lesley wrote:
Noooooo! Josie must not give up - she will play football - can't she bump off Mary-Lou or something?




Mmm, interesting. Not sure if I can fit that into the story, but for fun I might give it some thought!

 

#127:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sat Mar 27, 2004 6:58 pm

Lindsay, I thought that was going to be a lovely new, LONG post.

 

#128:  Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Sat Mar 27, 2004 7:03 pm

She can't just give up!!!

 

#129:  Author: Lindsay, Location: Sunny Kidderminster (or Sunny Sheffield in term-time) PostPosted: Sat Mar 27, 2004 8:57 pm

Jennie wrote:
Lindsay, I thought that was going to be a lovely new, LONG post.


I like keeping people in suspense! However, I hope you are happy with this, my longest update so far!

It was another week until anything significant happened in Josie’s life. She did as her grandmother told her, albeit with an air of glumness, and tried to forget about the team. She managed to salvage her football boots out of the kitchen bin, but she wasn’t sure why she did it. She wouldn’t use them again, and to see them only made her miss the game more. All the same, she couldn’t bear to part with them, and they joined the magazines in her wardrobe. She didn’t have much time to dwell on football, however, since Louise’s wedding was little more than three weeks away and Mary-Lou was getting frantically excited about it. More than once, Josie had walked in on her gazing sentimentally at Louise’s newly finished wedding dress and muttering “My eldest granddaughter – about to be married! And to a respectable doctor from our very own san too!” followed by a sigh of contentment and satisfaction, as if she herself had won some great achievement. Josie was surprised and somewhat amused at these sentimental moments from her grandmother, who was usually careful to hide her deepest feelings from others. Although there was still some tension between Josie and her grandmother, things seemed to be improving. Mary-Lou was putting all her energy into wedding preparations and Josie wisely kept a low profile when she could. This changed however, when, on a rather dull Monday afternoon, the doorbell rang.

“I’ll get it!” Josie called as she ran to the door, grateful for a good excuse to escape her sister, who had spent all day sneaking after her with a tube of mascara, on a mission to make tomboyish Josie look “more like a proper girl”. Josie was resigned to he fact she would probably have to give in on the make-up issue for the wedding itself, but there was no way she was going to let Louise ‘experiment’ on her beforehand!

“Oh!” Josie exclaimed, with more surprise than politeness, as she opened the front door to reveal one Ben McLeod.

“May I come in?” He asked, smiling slightly at her obvious surprise.

“I suppose so,” Josie replied slowly, inwardly panicking at what her grandmother might say if Ben revealed he was a mere football coach.

“Josie? Who is it, dear?” Mary-Lou’s voice could be heard from the kitchen, followed shortly by that lady herself, who appeared in the hallway.

“Oh!” Mary-Lou noticed Ben and eyed him with a nod of approval. Could it be that her youngest granddaughter was associating with young men at last? She didn’t recognise him, but she was aware that three new trainee doctors had arrived at the san the previous week, so perhaps he might be one of them, “May I help you?” she smiled and held out her hand graciously.

“Sorry to drop in on you like this,” Ben said, genially, shaking Mary-Lou’s hand, “Would you be Josie’s grandmother?”

“Why, yes,” Mary-Lou replied, “You are a friend of Josephine’s, I presume?”

“You could say that,” Ben replied, absently, looking down at his feet. Then he continued, “actually, it was you I came to speak to, mrs -?”

“Please, call me Mary-Lou,” Mary-Lou answered, quickly, quite enjoying this unexpected attention from a handsome young man, especially one who might be her future grandson-in-law, for all she knew.

“Thankyou, Mary-Lou,” Ben smiled politely, “Maybe we can sit down somewhere and talk, then?”

“Oh, but of course!” Mary-Lou replied, happily, “We can go into the salon! And Josie will get some tea for us, won’t you my dear?”

“Yes, Gran,” Josie replied and went off to the kitchen, wondering just why Ben would want to talk to her grandmother.

“Now, dear, “ Mary-Lou began, as she and Ben were sitting down in the salon, “Won’t you tell me your name?”

“Ben McLeod,” Ben replied.

“You’re British then, I presume?” Mary-Lou continued, politely.

“Yes, I come from Stirling originally,” he answered, feeling this was a rather awkward conversation, “but I live in England now.”

“And are you out here for a long time?” Mary-Lou persisted.

“Oh, no, just for the next month,” he said, casually.

“Only another month?” Mary-Lou sounded surprised. These doctor training courses were getting shorter and shorter, she though to herself, as Josie entered carrying a tray of tea and kuchen.

“Thanks, Josie,” Ben said, as he took his cup of tea.

“I’ve just been asking Ben here a bit about his background,” Mary-Lou filled Josie in on the conversation so far. Josie went pale, wondering just how much Mary-Lou knew about Ben’s background.

“Oh,” Josie said, quietly, but this was followed by an awkward silence.

“So, Ben dear, what was it you came to speak to me about?” Mary-Lou tried to start another conversation. The question seemed to shake Ben out of silence and he cleared his throat.

“Well, it’s about Josie –“ but he was interrupted before he could finish.

“Oh, yes! I meant to ask you,” Mary-Lou’s train of thought was already ahead of everyone else’s, “How do you like the san?”

“The san?” Ben looked confused and Josie went pink with embarrassment, realising her grandmother’s assumptions.

“Gran, Ben’s not a doctor,” Josie explained.

“Not a doctor?” Mary-Lou raised her eyebrows, “Why, what do you do then?”

“I’m –“ but again Ben was interrupted, this time by Josie.

“He’s in the sports industry,” Josie said quickly, earning a disapproving glance from her grandmother.

“Really, Josephine, it’s rude to interrupt people like that!” Mary-Lou scolded her, before turning back to Ben, “The sports industry? How interesting. And you’re a university graduate?”

“University? Oh, no, I left school at sixteen,” Ben replied calmly. Mary-Lou nearly spat out her tea.

“At sixteen? You have no qualifications? So you what do you do for a job?’ Mary-Lou asked once she had recovered her breath.

“Oh, I’m a football coach,” Ben said, brightly, “I used to play, actually, but I broke my leg in –“

“A football coach?!” Mary-Lou’s voice rose at least three octaves and Josie glanced warily at her.

“Yes, I coach a womens’ team,” Ben continued, completely unaware of Mary-Lou’s issues with girls playing football, “That’s what I’m here about, actually. I’ve noticed Josie’s been missing from training this week and I wondered if anything was wrong at home.” Mary-Lou stared at him in amazement, before putting her teacup down so hard it shattered.

“I’m afraid I can’t allow Josephine to play football for your team,” Mary-Lou said in a strained voice, “She is a young woman now and has her education to think about. Now I rally must be getting on, can you show yourself out?” Josie was ashamed at the icy tone of her grandmother’s voice, but Ben got the picture and left the room with a dignified “goodbye”. Josie was still for a moment, then ran out of the room before Mary-Lou could catch her. She ran out of the front door after Ben, who was just opening the garden gate to leave.

“Wait!” she called, and Ben turned around.

“Look, I’m so sorry about Gran,” Josie said when she had recovered her breath from running, “She doesn’t approve of girls playing football. I’m really sorry.”

“It’s okay,” Ben said, calmly, and, much to Josie’s relief, with a smile, “it’s not your fault. Some people are, well, a bit set in their ways about women and sport. I’m sorry you can’t come back to the team, though.”

“Me, too,” Josie replied, gloomily, “I love playing football, but Gran just won’t budge.”

“I can see what you’re up against,” Ben said, “but you’re nearly seventeen now, aren’t you? You’re practically an adult. Just think about it, Josie, you can make your own decisions now. Your family won’t always know what’s best for you.”

“I know, but –“ Josie replied, pitifully.

“Look,” Ben said, “We missed you at the semi-final on Saturday. Lucy was starved of service and we only one with a last minute penalty. We’ve got a friendly arranged with Bayern Munich Ladies next week, in Munich. We’re making a pre-final trip out of it. Three days, leaving next Monday from the Gasthaus. Just think about it, okay?”

Josie nodded and Ben walked away. Munich! Josie shivered with excitement at the thought of it, but it was just a dream in the end. There was no way Mary-Lou would let her go to Munich just to play football.


There! That'll be all for today, I've got to go and watch the rugby now!

 

#130:  Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough....... PostPosted: Sat Mar 27, 2004 9:37 pm

Thanks Lindsay!
looking forward to more!

Last edited by Vikki on Sat Mar 27, 2004 9:55 pm; edited 1 time in total

 

#131:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Sat Mar 27, 2004 9:38 pm

Thanks for that Lindsay - hope Josie decides to play anyway!!!!

 

#132:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sun Mar 28, 2004 3:33 pm

Thank you, Lindsay. I hope Josie finds a way to play in the match.

 

#133:  Author: Toria, Location: London PostPosted: Sun Mar 28, 2004 4:21 pm

Wow! Any chace of some more soon?

 

#134:  Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Sun Mar 28, 2004 8:50 pm

Thanks Lyndsay!!

I've seen the film...I know what's going to happen....*Smugness creeping in here....sorry*
Look forward to it though!

 

#135:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Mon Mar 29, 2004 1:08 pm

Well, since OOAOML is being so bovine about it, she deserves to be deceived!

 

#136:  Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire PostPosted: Mon Mar 29, 2004 7:07 pm

Thanks Lyndsey, lots nd lots to catch up on. It's a pity ML can't be more sympathetic, after all, she wanted to work in what was then a man's world, although I suppose archeology is more 'respectable' than football.

 

#137:  Author: Lindsay, Location: Sunny Kidderminster (or Sunny Sheffield in term-time) PostPosted: Mon Mar 29, 2004 7:42 pm

“Look, there’s your bus!” Emily cried as a small coach parked up in front of the Gasthaus.

“You’d better join the others, Jose,” Louise said to her sister, who looked ready to burst with excitement.

“Okay,” Josie said, picking up her bags, “Thanks, you two, for covering for me, I mean.”

“No problem!” Emily replied brightly.

“Just take care,” Louise added, “this trip better be worth it!”

“Oh, it will,” Josie grinned, “and remember, if Gran asks, I’m in Basel with –“

“Mary-Jo,” Emily and Louise finished simultaneously.

“Don’t worry,” Emily said, “Your Gran won’t be suspicious if she thinks you’re staying with a cousin. And Mary-Jo won’t say anything to give you away. She knows all about it.”

“Good,” Josie replied, relieved, “Well, ‘bye, then!”

“Bye!” the other two called as Josie ran towards her teammates and jumped into the bus.

“Glad you made it, Josie!” Ben called out as she entered the vehicle.

“Josie!” Lucy exclaimed with surprise, “You came! What did your Gran say?”

“Nothing,” Josie replied, sitting down next to Lucy, “She thinks I’m staying with my cousin Mary-Jo Maynard in Basel. My sister’s covering for me.”

“Gosh,” Lucy said, “Won’t she be mad if she finds out?”

“Well, hopefully she won’t find out,” Josie answered as the bus drove off and they were on their way.


Less than 48 hours later, the team found themselves in Munich, getting dressed for the match against Bayern ladies. The opposition were clear favourites. They were full professionals, and had home advantage, and the English girls knew it was going to be a tough match.

“Ben just told me they’ve got Renate Bauer up front,” Lucy said to Josie as she tied her bootlaces, “She plays for Germany, and she’s last season’s European footballer of the year.”

“In which case I’m glad I’m not in defence,” Josie replied with a smile.

“Me too,” Lucy replied, as Ben called for them to get ready to warm up.

In no time at all the game had started. Josie suddenly found herself face to face with a team full of internationals and it was certainly quite daunting at first. In fact, the whole team seemed rather overwhelmed and the Bayern ladies were 2-0 up before half time.

“Look,” Ben told his team firmly during the half time break, “They’re a good team, I know, and I also know that on paper they’re a better team than us. But you’ve got to remember that football’s played on grass, not paper, and at the moment you’re letting them dominate the game. You’ve got too much respect for them. I want to see you get in there! More passion, more attack-minded football, d’you hear me? Go on, you’ve got nothing to lose! Show those Germans what you can do!” Freshly motivated, the team ran out for the second half with renewed ambition and it showed in their play.

The English team were enjoying a decent spell of possession ten minutes into the second half, and suddenly Josie found herself with the ball out on the right-hand touchline. Cleverly dodging her tall German marker, she ran with the ball towards the penalty box.

“Josie!” Lucy’s voice could be heard shouting, “Over here!” Looking up, Josie saw that Lucy was free at the left-hand goalpost, her own marker having momentarily gone to sleep. Quickly, Josie passed the ball to one of her teammates with a clever back-heel, who then crossed it to Lucy, who headed it into the top corner of the net. The resulting celebration was wild, ending up in a pile of players with Lucy somewhere at the bottom, shouting madly! Soon they regained their senses, realising that they were still a goal down.

Frustration started to set in as the Bayern defence did their best to stop any attacking moves from their opponents and the English team found it difficult to get anywhere near goal until the 89th minute, when Josie, who had got hold of the ball, felt herself being tripped over, and was awarded a free-kick. After a quick discussion with her teammates, it was decided that the captain, Sue should take it, which she did. The goalkeeper saved the effort, but it fell out of her hands and in a flash Josie was there to score from the rebound. The euphoria set in again. They were level! Before they knew it, the final whistle blew and it would go to penalties.

Josie was the fifth penalty-taker. The atmosphere seemed more and more tense as each penalty went in, until their centre-back Karen hit the post. They were at a disadvantage now. Josie knew she had to score, or the game would go to the Germans. With a deep breath, Josie placed the ball on the spot and took a few steps back for a run-up. As she ran to kick the ball, Josie felt herself slipping on the grass and she knew it was useless. The shot was on-target but it was weak, and the goalkeeper caught it safely in her arms as the Germans celebrated their victory.

Josie felt dejected. Nobody blamed her for missing the penalty. It happened to everyone, they reassured her, even the best players in the world. But Josie couldn’t help feeling guilty. If she hadn’t slipped, maybe they might have won. Oh well, there was nothing to be done about it now, although Josie felt rather subdued for several hours afterwards.

 

#138:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Mon Mar 29, 2004 8:44 pm

Another lovely post, Lindsay, thank you.

 

#139:  Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough....... PostPosted: Tue Mar 30, 2004 2:16 am

Thank you Lindsay!!!

*looking forward to the next part!*

 

#140:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Tue Mar 30, 2004 3:45 pm

I still want to know aboiut the parents, Lindsay. When will you tell us why OOAOML is in charge?

 

#141:  Author: Lindsay, Location: Sunny Kidderminster (or Sunny Sheffield in term-time) PostPosted: Tue Mar 30, 2004 6:26 pm

Jennie wrote:
I still want to know aboiut the parents, Lindsay. When will you tell us why OOAOML is in charge?


I don't know to be honest. I just fancied putting ML in charge. I couldn't be bothered with the parents as well. But if you really want to know, I think they're both travelling the world and the girls are living with ML since she lives near the school anyway (there, they're written out of the story!) Maybe I'll let them have a cameo appearance at the end!

 

#142:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Tue Mar 30, 2004 8:16 pm

Thanks Lindsay!
Hope Josie feels better about the penalty soon!

 

#143:  Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire PostPosted: Tue Mar 30, 2004 11:44 pm

Thanks Lynsey, I'm glad that she got to play in the match, and in a way I'm glad she missed the penalty too, it makes it seem more real.
I hope ML doesn't find out, but she seems the sort of person who always discovers things you don't want her to know.

 

#144:  Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle PostPosted: Wed Mar 31, 2004 11:24 am

Josie should appeal to her parents NOW!! Poor girl hope it works out for her.


My Gran lived with us from I was 13. I used to hate it when Mum and Dad were away or out and she tried to boss (as I saw it) us about.

 

#145:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Wed Mar 31, 2004 7:54 pm

Thank you Lindsay!

 

#146:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Thu Apr 01, 2004 5:13 pm

Yes, Josie could write to them. How come Louise is getting maried without her parents at the ceremony. Will they approve of the prospective bridegroom? It all sounds underhand to me.

 

#147:  Author: Sarah_L, Location: Redcar PostPosted: Thu Apr 01, 2004 9:06 pm

I've just caught up on a lot of this. Mary-Lou needs a lot of sense talking into her.

 

#148:  Author: Lynsey, Location: Fife PostPosted: Fri Apr 02, 2004 7:03 pm

I was just wondering why ML is almost always bad in drabbles? Is it something to do with the later books as I haveb't read them? Confused

 

#149:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sat Apr 03, 2004 5:07 pm

Read lots of things in the Archives about OOAOML, then you'll find out why she's always bad in the drabbles.

 

#150:  Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans PostPosted: Sun Apr 04, 2004 11:38 pm

Just catching up and i loved the last few bits of this. Now I want to know if Josie got away with tricking Mary Lou and what else is going to happen next, please Smile *smiles sweetly*

 

#151:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Mon Apr 05, 2004 5:12 pm

I think Lindsay should write lots, lots more of this.

 

#152:  Author: Nell, Location: London, England PostPosted: Wed Apr 07, 2004 3:38 pm

yes please...now!!!

 

#153:  Author: Chloë, Location: London: when away from home planet! PostPosted: Wed Apr 07, 2004 3:46 pm

I've only just caught up and its brillant i loved getting to study it for media and this is great

 

#154:  Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England PostPosted: Wed Apr 07, 2004 8:42 pm

Is there going to be more of this soon?

 

#155:  Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent PostPosted: Fri Apr 09, 2004 8:43 am

*Bumping this back to the top as a gentle reminder.*

 

#156:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Fri Apr 09, 2004 3:24 pm

And back up to the top again.

 

#157:  Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough....... PostPosted: Fri Apr 09, 2004 6:06 pm

Yay!!! Drabble bumping!!!

 

#158:  Author: Sarah_L, Location: Redcar PostPosted: Fri Apr 09, 2004 11:03 pm

Our new sport!

 

#159:  Author: Dawn, Location: Leeds, West Yorks PostPosted: Fri Apr 09, 2004 11:19 pm

& I was sooo hopeful that this being near the top meant there had been more Crying or Very sad
do we need to start a chant as well?

 

#160:  Author: Rebecca, Location: Kendal/Oxford PostPosted: Sat Apr 10, 2004 12:31 am

*Volunteers to kick off the chant*

 

#161:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sat Apr 10, 2004 12:53 pm

Joining in the chant, and Drabble bouncing at the same time.

 

#162:  Author: Chloë, Location: London: when away from home planet! PostPosted: Sat Apr 10, 2004 1:10 pm

Drabble bouncing is fun!

More soon pleae!

 

#163:  Author: pim, Location: the place where public transport doesn't work properly! PostPosted: Sun Apr 11, 2004 11:49 pm

Time to BUMP! *chants*

 

#164:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Mon Apr 12, 2004 7:45 pm

And bouncing it again. Wheeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

#165:  Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle PostPosted: Tue Apr 13, 2004 1:45 pm

Bouncing again!

 

#166:  Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough....... PostPosted: Tue Apr 13, 2004 4:13 pm

And again!!

 

#167:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Tue Apr 13, 2004 5:01 pm

Bounces it up again so it's sure to be noticed by the esteemed author.

 

#168:  Author: Janet, Location: Ferndown, Dorset PostPosted: Tue Apr 13, 2004 9:52 pm

Definitely enjoyed catching up with this and glad that Josie got to play ... and almost, but not quite, sorry for Mary-Lou

BUT ... I thought there was going to be lots more of this but it's mainly peple bouncing this back to the top to attract Lindsay's attention!!
Oh well - I'll take my turn and bounce it too - makes a change from chanting!

 

#169:  Author: Nell, Location: London, England PostPosted: Wed Apr 14, 2004 11:46 am

*bounce*

bounces this again as i haven't yet!!!

 

#170:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Wed Apr 14, 2004 4:21 pm

Starting to chant.

 

#171:  Author: Dawn, Location: Leeds, West Yorks PostPosted: Thu Apr 15, 2004 12:06 am

Adds *music* Trumpet Trumpet Trumpet - there that should sound bad enough that Lindsay will have to take notice Twisted Evil

 

#172:  Author: Lynsey, Location: Fife PostPosted: Thu Apr 22, 2004 4:59 pm

Where are you Lindsay?

CHANT CHANT CHANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Trumpet Trumpet Trumpet drummer drummer drummer piano piano
piano popper popper megaphone megaphone

poke poke poke

Is that enough Lindsay?

Oh and by the way if you couldn't have posted on this because of a reasonal reason I am sorry for the noise Lindsay

 

#173:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Fri Apr 23, 2004 9:59 am

Lindsay, please let us have some more of this.

 

#174:  Author: Sarah_L, Location: Redcar PostPosted: Fri Apr 23, 2004 5:34 pm

Yes Lindsay, we'd all love some more. Very Happy

 

#175:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sat Apr 24, 2004 1:05 pm

Lindsay, where are you?


megaphone megaphone megaphone megaphone megaphone megaphone megaphone megaphone megaphone megaphone megaphone megaphone megaphone megaphone megaphone megaphone megaphone megaphone megaphone megaphone

 

#176:  Author: Lynsey, Location: Fife PostPosted: Sun Apr 25, 2004 4:14 pm

bumping to the top.

 

#177:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Sun Apr 25, 2004 6:05 pm

Lindsay, I hope you're ok, and that you can post more drabble soon Very Happy

 

#178:  Author: Sarah_L, Location: Redcar PostPosted: Sun Apr 25, 2004 8:16 pm

Has anyone seen Lindsay on the board recently? I hope real life isn't being too cruel to her.

 

#179:  Author: Mandy, Location: Derry, N.Ireland PostPosted: Sun Apr 25, 2004 8:39 pm

I've just caught up with this, I hope Lindsay can post some more soon.

 

#180:  Author: Lindsay, Location: Sunny Kidderminster (or Sunny Sheffield in term-time) PostPosted: Mon Apr 26, 2004 6:51 pm

I am VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY sorry that I have been very negligent with this drabble lately, thanks to various computer crises and easter holidays. I am now back at uni & hope to start updating again (hopefully before the end of the week) soon but I thought I'd better let you all know that I am still alive and if you keep bouncing my drabble around just be careful you don't break something!

 

#181:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Mon Apr 26, 2004 6:53 pm

Hmph! I was looking forward to a shiny new piece of drabble, and there isn't any.

Runs off sobbing. Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad Crying or Very sad

 

#182:  Author: Rebecca, Location: Kendal/Oxford PostPosted: Wed Apr 28, 2004 1:12 pm

Bump!

Lindsay, I don't think you need to worry about us bouncing the drabble. We're all experienced at keepie-up by now!

 

#183:  Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough....... PostPosted: Wed Apr 28, 2004 6:09 pm

*eyes shards of broken drabble at Rebecca's feet dubiously*

 

#184:  Author: Rebecca, Location: Kendal/Oxford PostPosted: Thu Apr 29, 2004 12:56 pm

Perhaps I shouldn't have moved on to heads and volleys... Embarassed

 

#185:  Author: Sarah_L, Location: Redcar PostPosted: Thu Apr 29, 2004 1:53 pm

So whose window have you broken?

 

#186:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Thu Apr 29, 2004 3:43 pm

You'll have to pay for it out of your pocket money. Have you still got your collection money?

 

#187:  Author: Rebecca, Location: Kendal/Oxford PostPosted: Sat May 01, 2004 1:40 pm

Drat! And it was Matey's window too... Embarassed

 

#188:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sat May 01, 2004 3:01 pm

You're for it now, Matey won't let that pass!

 

#189:  Author: Sarah_L, Location: Redcar PostPosted: Sat May 01, 2004 4:19 pm

In fact, here she comes after you!

 

#190:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sat May 01, 2004 4:25 pm

Rebecca, you can run, but you can't hide!

 

#191:  Author: Rebecca, Location: Kendal/Oxford PostPosted: Sat May 01, 2004 4:38 pm

I'm trying!

Actually I can't run. I'm hopeless at that sort of thing. It'd better be the hiding!

*Looks around frantically!*

 

#192:  Author: caz, Location: Cambridge PostPosted: Sat May 01, 2004 4:45 pm

But don't forget Matey can hear you breathe, wherever you hide (well, doesn't it say somewhere she could hear grass growing?)

*wonders how long it will be before Lindsay returns this thread to Josie's adventures*

 

#193:  Author: Rebecca, Location: Kendal/Oxford PostPosted: Sun May 02, 2004 1:40 pm

Before Matey gets me, I hope!

LINDSAY!!!

 

#194:  Author: Abi, Location: Alton, Hants PostPosted: Sun May 02, 2004 2:00 pm

*joins in the chant*

I've just caught up on this... I did have some unread drabble, but would appreciate more, HINT HINT!

 

#195:  Author: Guest,  PostPosted: Mon May 03, 2004 3:49 pm

Once again, apologies for lack of updates. Unfortunately, having spent all day battling with a computer virus that simply refuses to budge, I don't exactly know when I'm going to get back to updating (especially since virus-battling has taken up valuable time that I was planning to spend on essay writing). Hopefully a little trip to the university computer helpdesk tomorrow morning will sort everything out!

 

#196:  Author: Guest,  PostPosted: Mon May 03, 2004 4:00 pm

Er, for some reason I (Lindsay) cannot log in - hence 'guest' = me in this case. Oh, I really really hate computers today! I'll be back when I can turn on my computer without wanting to throw it across the room

 

#197:  Author: Cazx, Location: Swansea/Bristol PostPosted: Mon May 03, 2004 4:04 pm

Computers are evil Twisted Evil
I hope you get everything de virused soon.

 

#198:  Author: Lynsey, Location: Fife PostPosted: Sat May 08, 2004 5:53 pm

I guess the trip to the Uni computer helpline didn't work? OH NO just when the drabb;e was getting FABULOUS

 

#199:  Author: Lindsay, Location: Sunny Kidderminster (or Sunny Sheffield in term-time) PostPosted: Sat May 08, 2004 7:45 pm

Well, I have managed to successfully murder the virus, although it took me a couple of days, meaning that I am now behind in my essay-writing. Hence this weekend I am concentrating on essays and not allowing myself to write drabbles (because if I do I'll never get my essays done). In short, I'll get back to it as soon as poss, but with essay-deadlines looming I have to set my priorities. I'm sorry. Sad

 

#200:  Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough....... PostPosted: Sat May 08, 2004 7:49 pm

*huggles Lindsay*
It's okay sweetie, RL clobbers us all sometimes. We understand!

 

#201:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Sat May 08, 2004 8:14 pm

We'll give RL a good kick for you, if you want us to, that is.

 

#202:  Author: Chloë, Location: London: when away from home planet! PostPosted: Mon May 10, 2004 6:11 pm

Sorry you've had a difficult time essays are horrid, hope you get a chance to write some more soon though Smile

 

#203:  Author: Rebecca, Location: Kendal/Oxford PostPosted: Fri May 14, 2004 1:42 pm

Needs another bump!

Hope you can get RL under control soon Lindsay.

 

#204:  Author: Lynsey, Location: Fife PostPosted: Sat May 22, 2004 2:16 pm

Bump, just to let you know the drabble is still here so please write (if your 'puter is still acting up i understand you can't post cos mine did that this week and i couldn't go on the net)

 

#205:  Author: Lynsey, Location: Fife PostPosted: Thu May 27, 2004 6:21 pm

Bump again m*o*r*e please!!!!!!1
Trumpet Trumpet
drummer drummer
Guitar Guitar
piano piano
megaphone megaphone

 

#206:  Author: Nell, Location: London, England PostPosted: Fri May 28, 2004 10:33 am

Agrees with Lyndsey that is would be wonderful to see a BH addition to this story!

 

#207:  Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire PostPosted: Fri May 28, 2004 2:11 pm

I think we all would like to see this continue.

 

#208:  Author: Lynsey, Location: Fife PostPosted: Sat Jun 05, 2004 10:37 am

Me agrees with Jennie

 

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