“Two,” Sam said, “and a few draws. That’s why we’re second from bottom. White Star are the bottom team, a point behind us. If we win today, we stay up. Any other result, we might be going down.” 52

Hasan nodded.

“The good news,” Sam said, “is that White Star are playing on the next pitch. We will know their score while we’re playing.”

Just as Sam was about to run onto the pitch ready for kick-off, Hasan tugged his sleeve. “Faisal said thanks for helping with those bullies,” he whispered. “You and your mates were great. But he’s had worse.”

“Back home, you mean?” Sam said.

Hasan nodded. “Soldiers came to arrest his dad. He never saw him again. Then his mum died. That’s why he’s alone.”

Sam listened. How would it feel to have something like that happen? Sam couldn’t imagine it. “Does he have nightmares?” he asked.

Hasan nodded. “All the time.” 53

*

Riverside attacked right from the kick-off. Their front players were strong and fast. Sam got in a couple of last-minute blocks and tackles, but it felt as if the attacks never stopped coming. Hasan and Faisal had to drop back to defend. It was like trying to dam a river.

“This is no good,” Kai panted after they’d got through yet another attack. “Every time we boot it down field, they come right back at us. We are being overrun.”

“Yes,” Sam said, “but we need everybody in defence at the moment.”

In the end, it all got too much. Another cross came in, low and hard, from the wing. It caused panic in Celtic’s defence. Kai tried to clear it, but he hit the ball against Sam’s back. The ball spun off Sam and smacked into the roof 54of the net. He heard somebody laugh behind him. He knew who it was.

“Jordan,” he grumbled. Jordan had turned up to watch them play. “I thought he didn’t want to play any more.”

“He doesn’t,” Kai said. “He wants to laugh at us when we go down.”

Sam looked over at Jordan. It was true. He had just come to cause trouble. 55

*

Things got worse ten minutes later. The Riverside striker burst into the penalty area. The Celtic keeper tried to collect the ball but made contact and brought him down. It was a penalty.

2–0 down.

Just then, there was a big shout from the next pitch.

“Oh, bad luck, boys,” Jordan said with a big grin. “White Star have just scored. You’re going to get relegated.”

Celtic had other ideas. They defended the best they could. After some scary moments, they got to half-time without conceding another goal to Riverside.