Suspended by Robert Rayner Page A

rules in the Code of Conduct.”
    â€œThey’re stupid rules. Mr. Justason isn’t being fair.”
    Ms. Dugalici held up a warning finger. “They’re my rules, too.”
    I sighed.
    Ms. Dugalici went on, “However, I have a suggestion. First, if you break the rules, you must accept the consequences.”
    â€œBut —”
    â€œLet me finish. Second, as captain — there are times when you must compromise.”
    â€œHow do you mean?”
    â€œBy following the rules …”
    â€œBut …”
    â€œâ€¦ While I suggest to Mr. Justason that he modify them and reinstate your soccer team at the start of next season. You will also be allowed to play on the Back Field. How would that be?”
    â€œThat would be … brilliant. Thank you.”
    â€œThank Miss Little for sticking up for you. Now — join your team, and tell them it’s time to compromise.”
    I hesitated. Ms. Dugalici spoke in her usual threatening whisper and wore her usual mysterious dark glasses. She seemed the same severe person she had been when I’d seen her before. But she was being kind and helpful. I felt like apologizing for misjudging her.
    â€œWhy are you looking at me like that?” she demanded.
    â€œI always thought you were scary.”
    â€œI am scary. You’d better believe it,” she hissed sharply. Then she winked. “Now go.”
    Everyone was in the van, ready to leave.
    â€œWhat did Ms. Dugalici want?” said Julie.
    As she spoke, I noticed Mr. Justason and Mrs. Stuart steaming towards us.
    â€œHit it, Grease,” I said urgently.
    Mr. Finch called, “Congratulations on your win, although it won’t count, and on being champions — for a little while, at least.”
    I heard Mr. Justason bawl, “I’ll see all of you first thing in the morning—!”
    The rest of his speech was drowned out by the screech of the van’s tires as Grease wheeled out of the car park. Mr. Justason and Mrs. Stuart glared after us.
    It was dusk by the time Grease rolled the van to a stop by the cemetery. Everybody scrambled out.
    Jillian said, “Guess we better hurry home and face the music. Mom’s sure going to be mad.”
    â€œGood luck,” I called, as they set off.
    Linh-Mai said, “Mom thinks I’m playing at the Back Field. I’d better hurry over there to meet her.”
    Brian said, “I’m meeting Dad on Main Street. Come on, Brandon. Dad will give you a ride home, too.”
    Grease held his hand out to Brandon and said, “Bye, buddy.”
    Brandon put his hand in Grease’s and echoed, “B — … Buddy.”
    As the Wanderers disappeared into the cemetery, Ice called after them, “Let’s rock and roll again some time.”
    Soon, only Toby, Julie and I were left with Ice and Grease. We sat on the low wall that bordered the cemetery.
    On the way back to Brunswick Valley in the van, Brian had interrogated Ice about where he’d learned to play soccer, and how he knew Jordan Thorne, until finally Ice had told us he’d played for the Montreal Marvels and had been signed by the Eastern Canadian Cougars, only to give it all up.
    â€œBut why?” Brian had persisted.
    â€œBecause I was always being compared to my father, and I knew I’d never be as good as him.”
    â€œYour father …” Brian’s jaw had dropped. “You mean — is your father Dan Field? Wow! He’s brilliant. Could you get his autograph for me?”
    â€œSee what I mean?” Ice had said bleakly before lapsing into silence.
    Now I ventured carefully, “I don’t care what you say about not being as good as your dad. You were a soccer star at the coaches competition, and I think you could be a soccer star with the Cougars.”
    â€œI could be a good league player — but never a star,” said Ice.
    â€œYou’re a star to us,” said Julie