Sean Callery - Big Shot

With thanks to Emma, who is my Big Shot.

This ball is mine. WHACK! The ball smashed into Ashs face. His nose felt as if it had blown up. Danny dived to catch the ball. He grabbed it and threw it like a rocket. It was a great throw.

The ball knocked down the cricket stumps. Wow, said the wicket keeper. Come here, Danny, called Mr Naylor. He picked up the team sheet. As Danny walked towards Mr Naylor, he heard Grant hiss, Welcome to the team, Piggy! Grant was the captain of the team. Dannys face went as red as the cricket ball.

He turned and ran towards the changing rooms. * * * Danny was the new boy at school. He had moved in next door to Ash a few weeks ago. They made friends walking to school. Danny was a tall, strong boy, but he was quiet and shy in class. He was always eating.

So Grant called him Piggy. Ash never joined in with the pig noises that Grant and the other kids made. Once Ash had told them to stop but they just laughed. Ash was scared they might pick on him too. Whats up with your mate? Grant asked Ash as Danny ran off the cricket pitch. He doesnt like it when you call him names, said Ash.

He should lay off the chips then, laughed Grant. Mr Naylor came over and looked at Ashs nose. Nothing broken. Go and see whats up with Danny. And no messing about, he told Ash.

It was empty. He started to do a slow dance around the room. Dancing always made him feel better. When Ash came in he was amazed to see Danny dancing. What are you doing? asked Ash. Promise you wont tell? Danny said.

My big sister makes me go with her to ballroom dance classes. I felt silly doing it at first, Danny went on. The music is rubbish and you have to wear stupid clothes. But Im good at it. What dances do you do? asked Ash. All sorts.

Like this, said Danny. He took a step sideways and spun round fast. Cool, laughed Ash. Teach me! Danny did it again. Ash had a try but his feet didnt do what he wanted. He slipped on the shiny floor and grabbed at Danny.

The two boys fell through the changing room door just as the rest of the players arrived. What are you two doing? shouted Mr Naylor. Then Ash made a big mistake. Danny was teaching me the tango, sir, he said. Danny froze. The players all laughed.

Some of them made pig noises. Mr Naylor glared at Ash and Danny. I warned you not to mess about, he said. Ash thought things couldnt get worse. He was wrong.

Can I have a word with this lot, Mr Naylor? she said. Go ahead, he huffed. The county sports trials are on Friday. There are some places to fill, said Miss Hopper. Ill be running extra sports clubs every lunchtime. Shall we do that, Danny? Ash asked. Shall we do that, Danny? Ash asked.

Someone made a pig noise. Danny went red. He shoved Ash away. Right, thats it, said Mr Naylor. Im fed up with you two causing trouble. You can do a litter pick every lunchtime for a week.

The litter pick was worse than being kept back after lessons. The whole school saw you filling bags with rubbish. Danny glared at Ash, and ran off.

Mr Naylor looked up. Really? Yes sir, but we cant go if we have to pick up litter. The wall clock ticked ten times. It felt like the longest ten seconds of Ashs life. OK, said Mr Naylor. * * * Ash told Danny what he had done but his friend didnt even look at him. * * * Ash told Danny what he had done but his friend didnt even look at him.

Ash was pleased when Danny showed up on the sports field at lunchtime. OK, then, Ash. Lets try the long jump, said Miss Hopper. You should be good at it with your long legs. Ash found he always started with his right foot. He liked counting out his steps before making his jump.

Not bad, said Miss Hopper. But stop swinging your arms like a gorilla. Beats doing a litter pick, doesnt it? Ash said to Danny. Look at this, said Danny. He pulled out his phone and showed Ash a picture from a website someone had sent him. Ashs face was pasted on the head of a woman in a pink ballroom dancing dress.

Next to this was Dannys face stuck on the body of a pig. You and your big mouth, hissed Danny. No phones in school, said Miss Hopper. She took the phone and put it in her bag. Shall we carry on? she said.

Wheres your dress? someone called to Ash. The gang started making pig noises as Danny walked past. Miss Hopper came over and told them to stop. Then she said to Danny and Ash, Make sure you come to sports club at lunchtime. You did really well yesterday. * * * That lunchtime they tried the triple jump.

Danny was too slow. Ash was fast on the runway and could power through the hop, skip and jump. Not bad, said Miss Hopper. Grant jumped longer than you, but you can be the sub at the sports trials on Friday. Miss Hopper turned to Danny. She said, Youre strong and youve got good balance.