Lucy Zeezou's Goal (17 page)

I sat on Bella's bed in tears, confused and angry about what had just happened. Couldn't I just be accepted for who I was? Why was it so important for people to be around someone famous? We were just like everybody else, really. Even if we had more material possessions, we still did the same things, wanted the same things. Why couldn't people see that? The one thing I wanted to pursue more than anything was out of my reach. Like a bird with clipped wings.

‘Lucy, what you said back there was beautiful. It'll be okay, I promise. They missed you and were very concerned about you. To the boys you'll always be Zeezou, no matter who your father is … they just don't know how to tell you. Remember, they're jocks and boys. They have no idea.' Bella rolled her eyes again.

She continued, ‘They're shocked that they're so close to football royalty, you must understand that. Harry and Max were in contact with Dylan and me all the time after they found out that you'd been abducted. Anyway, this should be a time to be happy. You're free
and safe now and ready to kick butt in the soccer final.'

I laughed at that. ‘Bella, you're such a good friend. That speech you made to the boys was amazing. Thank you! One thing that's bothering me though – you've got to call it football, not soccer! But yes, I can't wait to kick butt … and not
just
on the pitch!'

‘That's the spirit. Let's go back and see the boys. We'll start again,' Bella urged.

I didn't want to leave just yet. I didn't want to face any more questions, either. Before I could say another word, there was a knock on the door.

‘Bella, Lucy, can we please come in?' yelled Harry.

I decided I was going to let them stew for a bit. ‘No, we're busy. Go away.'

Harry took the lead again, ‘Please, Lucy, Bella, let us in. We have a big problem.'

Bella and I looked at each other anxiously. ‘Okay then, come in.'

Harry and Dylan entered Bella's very girlie pink bed-room, distracted by the walls covered with pictures of glamorous models and famous actors. They looked a bit stunned – surely Bella's bedroom couldn't be that bad?

Dylan finally spoke. ‘Max has taken off. We were in the kitchen getting a snack while he waited on the balcony. When we came back he was gone. We've searched the whole estate, the grounds, everywhere we could think of, but there's no sign of him. Mum's going to be furious.'

Bella calmly took control. ‘We all need to think hard about what we're going to do. If we raise the alarm, Max will probably be caught and taken to the police and arrested for trying to run away while his case is still being investigated. Also, Mum's position could be compromised if word gets out about this. The media will have a field day. We must keep this a secret and we must find him.'

We were interrupted by my phone ringing. I sighed when I saw the number, but answered anyway.

‘Lucy, are you done at Bella's? Papa and I have some news for you.'

‘What is it, Mama?' I was intrigued. What now?

‘Oh, it's too big to say over the phone. Get home soon, okay?'

More
news? I'd had enough excitement for a lifetime. But Mama sounded happy, so I didn't want to ruin her mood. I started saying goodbye to Bella and the boys.

‘Lucy, before you go – we're really sorry for being so harsh. All this news has been a big shock but we're happy you're back. We'll find Max, don't worry,' Harry reassured me, while Dylan nodded in agreement.

It was just what I needed to hear. Bella gave Harry an encouraging look, as if to say wow, you're not a total jock after all.

I was so relieved I was part of the team again.

I walked out to the car with Bella. ‘Bye, Bella. I hope to hear from you soon,' I said, trying not to say anything
that would let the driver guess I was talking about Max.

‘I'll call you as soon as I have news,' she said coolly. ‘Anyway, I'll try to drop over to your training session tomorrow with Dylan.'

‘Great, see you soon. Ciao!'

I was so worried about Max. I peered out the window as we headed away from Bella's home, hoping to spot him. Surely he couldn't be far from here.

But there was no sign of him. As we drove away from the house I decided to make a quick detour.

‘Could you please pull over into that park that overlooks the harbour? I'd like to enjoy the view for a moment. Thank you.'

I hoped he was hiding around here. It was a long shot, but I didn't know what else I could do. I had a quick walk around, trying to look as though I was enjoying the scenery. But there was no one in sight.

I walked back towards the car. Suddenly I noticed a banging noise. The driver was in the car singing along to the radio, oblivious. I moved closer to the car and the sound grew stronger. It seemed to be coming from the boot.

I interrupted the driver. ‘Excuse me, could you please open the boot? I need to get something out.' He nodded and pressed a button.

It popped open. I looked in and had to stop myself from screaming.

My heart was pounding so fast that I thought it was going to leap out. I was excited and relieved all at once. At least Max was safe and unharmed – but what should I do now?

I didn't know what it was about Max, but he made me feel funny … kind of nervous and happy at the same time. He could have been more welcoming at Bella's, but I loved the way he could seem so sure of himself and fearless in other ways. He was a risk-taker. And it didn't hurt that he was cute and a very talented footballer.

‘Lucy!' he whispered, putting his finger over my lips. ‘Don't say a word, gently close the boot so that I can hold it down … it'll make it easier for me to get out when we arrive at your place, and it would be good to get a little air. Quick, get back in the car so you don't raise any suspicion.'

I gave him the thumbs up and followed his instructions.

‘Everything all right, Ms Zoffi?' asked the driver.

‘Oh, yes, fine thanks. I just want to get home now,' I said in my best calm voice.

I didn't know whether to text Bella or wait for further instructions from Max. He probably had a plan. I'd just wait until we got to my grandparents' shop and decide then. My heart was racing and my legs a little shaky, but it was such a relief to know that he was safe and with me.

I couldn't wait to get home and see his face again. What had come over me? I'd never felt this eager to see anyone.

The driver interrupted my thoughts, and I realised the car had stopped. ‘Excuse me, Ms Zoffi, we're home.'

Max … I had to get him out of the boot before anyone saw him.

‘Thank you. I'll just get my bag out,' I replied. I jumped out and headed to the back of the car.

‘I'll get it, Ms Zoffi,' the driver said as he opened his door.

‘No, it's okay. I'll take care of it. Thank you anyway,' I insisted, but when I lifted the boot to help Max out, my heart skipped a beat. He was gone … yet another disappearing act. I frantically looked around.

‘Is everything all right, Ms Zoffi?' the driver asked suspiciously. I looked up and saw him watching me. I really had to settle my nerves.

‘Oh yes, all fine. Thank you. See you tomorrow.' I tried to look calm as I closed the boot.

I was worried about Max, but also angry that he had left without telling me what he was doing and where he
was going. He could at least have waited for me. How was I supposed to know he was okay? For all I knew, the bodyguards could have seen him escape. Maybe they'd captured him, even. I just had to hope that he'd managed to slip away unseen.

I moved towards the front door of Grandpa's shop, trying to look casual, while my eyes anxiously circled the area for any sign of Max.

Before I could go inside I was startled by a whisper. ‘Don't look this way, Zeezou. Meet me at the Reg once it's dark.'

Grandpa welcomed me with open arms as I entered the shop. I was wrapped up in safe arms, something Max didn't get to experience. I decided to tell Grandpa about Max's disappearing act. I knew he'd been concerned about him too.

‘Grandpa, I need your help,' I nervously requested.

He gave me a reassuring look, ‘Of course, what is it, princess?'

‘It's Max. I know where he is but I'm not sure how to help him. I think the police may be after him, because he's escaped from Bella's place.'

I recounted the day's events, giving him every detail so that he fully understood the situation.

‘Oh dear, that's not good. We have to handle this carefully. We need a good plan. Does anyone else know of his whereabouts?'

‘I don't think so, unless those creepy bodyguards caught sight of him escaping from the boot. But I don't think they did. He's like that old illusionist, Houdini – one minute he's there, the next he's gone. I'm supposed to
meet him at the Reg once it gets dark.' I wasn't quite sure how Grandpa would respond to this news, but I knew I couldn't keep it a secret.

Grandpa nodded. ‘I think the best idea is to get him back to Bella's place as soon as possible. We need to talk him into going back – but don't you go running around the Reg at night on your own, Lucy. You know we're trying to keep you extra safe at the moment. I'll come with you tomorrow. If he wants to see you, I'm sure we'll find him. Now, why don't you run up and see your Mama and Papa. They're dying to tell you their news.'

I was relieved to have Grandpa's support, but I had to see Max tonight. I'd have to do the next part on my own. ‘Thanks Grandpa. I don't know what I'd do without you.'

I headed upstairs, desperately trying to figure out how to escape tonight.

‘Lucy, we're glad you're home. How was it catching up with your friends?' said Mama, while Nanna gave me a big hug.

Nanna didn't want to let me go. ‘Nanna what's wrong? Why are you crying?' I asked.

‘Oh, I'm just so happy to have you here. I wish you could stay,' she mumbled.

‘What do you mean, Nanna? I'm not going anywhere,' I assured her.

Mama stepped in. ‘Well, Lucy, that's what I wanted to talk to you about. We're moving –'

I jumped in before she could finish her sentence. ‘Moving where? I thought we were going to stay here, especially after what's happened.' I put on my best surprised expression.

‘Well, it's all very exciting, Your nanna's just being a drama queen – actresses, they're all the same! We've bought a big beautiful house on the water just across the bay at Darling Point, only about a ten-minute walk from here. And we're thinking that we'll probably spend half our time here and the other half in Italy from now on. Of course, we'll be working it around Papa's football season and your school holidays. I know we'll manage somehow. We'll move into our new house in a few weeks' time, once everything's ready.'

‘Oh, as long as we're close to Nanna and Grandpa then I'm happy.' I was too preoccupied with trying to work out tonight's escape to be very concerned about future plans. Judging by their expressions, my nonchalant response took them both by surprise. ‘Where's Papa?' I asked, trying to change the subject.

‘Papa's out with Enrico. They've been doing a tour of all the local Italian haunts, and now they're at his restaurant. Papa wants us to join him for dinner.'

 

I was so anxious about Max during dinner that I could hardly eat. Nanna noticed and gave me some worried
looks. I whispered that I would explain everything later. I didn't think Grandpa had told her about Max yet.

As soon as we got home, I said I was tired and going to bed. Papa squeezed my shoulder.

‘All right, darling girl. But tomorrow we'll spend a bit more time with you, yes?'

‘Of course, Papa.'

I ran into the bedroom, closed the door behind me and bolted to the window to inspect a way out. I was afraid of heights but this was my only choice, so I swung out and grabbed a long thick pipe which weaved its way down the wall, finishing up a few metres from the ground. With my legs firmly wrapped around the pipe I scaled down it just like Spiderman (well, Spidergirl).

It was quite dark now, but the streetlights cast enough light for me to see what I was doing. I made it down undetected, although I was sure my heartbeat could be heard for miles.

I then had to jump the high back fence. I pretended I was leaping for the ball in the goal mouth, desperate to score, and on my second attempt I produced the winner. The jump had injected a rush of adrenalin, and with renewed vigour I dropped into the bushes below, scraping my legs in the process.

Unperturbed, I ran out onto the street. The sound of tennis balls being bashed over nets vibrated into the night behind me. I wasn't far from Max now … it wouldn't be
long until we sorted out the next move. I crossed the road, bubbling with nerves.

There were quite a few people taking their dogs for a walk, but no sign of Max. Where was he? Now my heart was really racing as I headed to my favourite spot. The pitch was perfectly manicured and looked extremely inviting. I wished I had a ball: I'd be on the park in a flash.

As if on demand, a football landed at my feet. I looked up and saw Max standing on the edge of the pitch. He had an uncanny knack of appearing out of nowhere.

I kicked the ball back to him and ran onto my home ground. It reminded me of our very first meeting, except this time he was in a lot of trouble.

‘So you think you can play?' he teased.

‘Of course I can. Pass me the ball and I'll show you how it's done,' I bantered back.

‘Try to take it from me, Zeezou,' he demanded.

I slowly circled him, and then pounced unexpectedly. I dived for the ball with my legs outstretched and managed to kick it out from under him. I was invigorated, surging forward. We lunged for the ball, both of us connecting and falling on our butts. We burst into laughter as the ball continued on its run. It was as though we were the only two people in the world, with nothing to worry about except who would get to the ball first. But then I came back to reality. This wasn't just a kick around, it was serious. I had to know why he took off.

‘Max, why did you run away from Bella's?'

‘I don't want to go back there. I don't feel comfortable in that place. A couple of days are fine but I can't stand it any longer,' moaned Max.

‘But Max, where else can you go? You know that legally you have to stay at Bella's house. Her mama's given her guarantee that you would be cared for and kept out of trouble.'

Max kept picking at the grass while trying to explain himself. ‘Lucy, you don't get it. You don't understand my life and what I've been through. I don't need anyone's help. I just want to be left alone.'

‘I don't know what you've been through and I don't have any understanding of what it would be like to live on the streets, to have no family and not know where my next meal was coming from,' I said, staring out into the harbour. ‘But I do know about isolation and not fitting in, always being the outsider. And I also know that you have friends who care about you and want to help.' I looked into his eyes, doing my best to persuade him.

He looked away. ‘I'm used to being on my own. I don't rely on anyone. When someone does something for you they always expect something in return. It's a harsh lesson to learn. I don't owe anyone anything and I know that one day I'll make it on my own.'

‘I envy your freedom. But Max, sometimes you have to accept help and believe in those who care about you.
I learnt that when I was abducted. I took my parents for granted. Even though they don't understand me and they drive me nuts, I know they care. That's what gave me the strength to escape from my captors.'

‘You have no idea. You've got everything in life. I lost my parents in a car crash. It was awful, even if we weren't always a happy family. I used to run away from home a lot because they were always arguing and my dad was pretty violent. But I still miss them heaps. Football became my saviour … it helps me forget about everything. It's my only way out. I don't understand why the hell you're playing, though,' he finished resentfully.

‘It's the only place that I fit in, where I can be myself. It's all I want to do,' I responded vehemently.

‘You have it all and to top it off you have one of the best players in the world as your dad. You don't realise how lucky you are. I'd give anything to be in your position.'

‘Well Max, you never know your luck. You can meet my papa. I'm sure he'll be happy to help you out. Maybe he could organise a trial for you with one of the clubs. He has lots of football contacts.'

Max looked stunned. Amid the drama that surrounded us, he might have a chance to get closer to his dream.

Before Max could answer, someone yelled out my name from the other side of the pitch.

A lone mysterious figure in a coat and hat, backlit by the moonlight, caught our attention, his foot placed
on our runaway football. The shadowy figure stood still, looking in our direction. It was no use running – it was too late. My heart accelerated, but Max was fearless and we stood up and moved towards the man.

‘Stop! Don't move any closer. Just look straight at me,' he demanded.

The voice was familiar.

He yelled out more instructions. ‘I'm going to kick the ball to you, then I want you to casually run with it straight past me and head towards my car. The police are looking for you and the media is sniffing around. Don't panic, don't rush, just play it cool and we'll be fine. Okay, princess, get moving.'

‘Grandpa?'

‘Don't talk, just do as I say. Now!'

Max and I obeyed. We raced towards the car and managed to reach it unhindered as sirens echoed through the night. Moments later the driver's door opened and Grandpa slipped inside.

‘Grandpa, what's going on?'

‘Lucy, couldn't you listen, just this once? I told you to stay home where you're safe. Bella called the house looking for you.'

What? Why didn't she call my mobile? I patted my pockets for my phone and couldn't find it.

‘I must have dropped it while we were playing – I have to find it.'

‘We don't have time. The police have discovered that Max is missing and they've called a search. Bella's mother is worried about Max and also frightened that her good intentions might backfire … She doesn't need any bad publicity, especially with an election just around the corner. Max,' Grandpa turned to him, sitting next to me in the back seat, ‘she's very concerned about you and doesn't understand why you ran away. I told Bella I'd look for you. And I'm sorry, but I've promised her that if I found you I'd take you back. I think it's the best way to avoid any further trouble. Lucy, I didn't tell her that you knew about Max's whereabouts. I thought I'd leave that up to you.'

Oh no. I'd upset Grandpa, and now I had to call Bella and explain what'd been happening. I should have told her that I'd found Max. Now she'd be upset with me and would get into a lot of trouble. I'd done the wrong thing by my best friend – how would I make it up to her? And how was Max coping with the fact that he was going straight back to Bella's? I looked at him but he just shrugged and smiled.

As Grandpa pulled up in front of Bella's front gates, Max waved to me and quietly slipped out, disappearing into the night.

When Grandpa saw that he was gone he was furious. ‘Houdini has really done it now. His actions will have serious ramifications. That's the mindset of a street kid –
act first, think second. I should have warned Bella's mum to be more cautious.'

‘But, Grandpa, he deserves a second chance. He's still coming to grips with losing his parents. He has no family, there's no one to catch him if he falls. We've got to help him. I'll talk to Bella and explain what's happened.'

‘The locals and I have helped him and cared for him like a second family, but he still finds it hard to trust anyone. There's nothing more you can do for Max tonight. I just hope he's all right. Let's just get inside before any photographers find you,' said Grandpa sombrely.