Page 146 of Waiting for Ru
He hoped Ru understood that he needed to be single-minded this week. Winning the cup would be life-changing for all of them. He was the best player of the four on paper, but the others had all upped their games. Jasim’s pleasure in everything seemed enhanced. Maybe his newfound joy was infectious.
As he’d expected, Ru settled into handling the pony changeovers with no issues. He worked as smoothly as Mike had. Ru didn’t really need Poppy’s help, but she could give the other grooms a hand if Ru had things under control. Jasim loved seeing Ru on the sidelines, and hearing him cheer the team on. Part of him knew that he wanted to win not just for himself, but for Ru.
Jasim had stuck to his guns all week and not responded to reporters, but had sent replies to their messages saying he was only willing to talk after the game. One piece of news had made all the team happy. A major champagne producer wanted to talk to them about a sponsorship deal, and the company had made it clear they wished to support LGBTQ+ rights. Nicolás was ecstatic because it lessened his monetary burden.
Leigh had been back and forth checking the ponies were fit for play and he’d be at Goodbury Park for the actual match. It was critical that the ponies didn’t pick up any injuries before then, but they still needed to be exercised and kept match fit.
Rather than set off the day before, they left early on Saturday morning in convoy for the ninety-minute drive. Luckily the weather was good, with no rain forecast, not much wind either. Ru had given him a good luck kiss before climbing into a horsebox with Poppy, and apart from them all arriving in one piece, there was nothing left to do but play the game and win The Trafalgar cup.
Goodbury Park was heaving. The hospitality tents bulged with visitors from all over the world. Members of the British royal family were there with their children. Flags flew from a multitude of countries. The ponies were groomed to perfection, as were the players. The polo field looked like a carpet, neat lines mowed in the grass as if it were someone’s prized lawn.
Jasim,Marcelo, JoaquinandNicolásposed for photos in their shiny boots, white trousers and red team shirts. After one reporter asked Jasim about his coming out, the others declined to answer further questions until after the match. Jasim was touched by their loyalty.
As they moved away towards their ponies, Waqas stepped in Jasim’s path.
Oh shit.Jasim hadn’t expected to see his brother. Maybe he should have. Marcelo andNicoláskept walking, but Joaquin stayed at Jasim’s side. Waqas said nothing, just stared at him, and Jasim walked on. The last thing he needed was a confrontation now.
Joaquin slung his arm over Jasim’s shoulder. “We need to fucking win. You’ll meet the royal family, receive their congratulations. Be seen! It means everything.”
Jasim nodded. Joaquin was right and he couldn’t afford to lose focus now. Ru smiled as Jasim approached. He helped him put on knee and elbow protection and handed him his helmet.
“I heard a rumour about The Stars’ patron,” Ru whispered. “He has a hangover.”
Jasim chuckled.
“Scare the beejesus out of him.”
Jasim would do his best.
The team all touched mallets and headed into the field.
The match started badly for The Eagles. The Stars got control of the ball and scored an early goal, but moments later, in a stunning piece of riding, Marcelo equalised. Suddenly they were playing as a team again. All focused, riding within inches of other ponies to steal the ball. It was a matter of blocking and marking, seizing control then racing down the field at high speed.
Just asNicolás was lifting himself out of his saddle for a nearside forehand, the other team’s number Two put his knee under Nicolás’s and tipped him off his pony. Nicolás roared with rage as he went down. Jasim chased after the ball, managing to loft it up field over everyone’s heads and raced after it. Another goal and the crowd roared.
It was the end of the chukka and they rode back to their lines to change ponies. Ru shot him a smile but didn’t speak and Jasim went back to the centre line on Lightning. They won the throw-in and a flurry of frantic slashing with the mallets left Marcelo racing towards the goal with two players in his way. Jasim was behind him. He knew Marcelo wouldn’t want to pass to Nicolás but the goal was open for the patron.
“Two! Your line,” Jasim yelled.
Marcelo passed and Nicolás scored. Just. But that didn’t matter. It was still a goal.
Then things started to go wrong, and Nicolás lost the next run off which let the other side score.
Minutes later, Marcelo yelled, “You’re going to be hooked,” and Jasim only just managed to swerve away before his mallet was struck.
At half-time, the score was 24-15 to The Stars. Not good. The Eagles had given away too many penalties. Jasim wasn’t happy.
Back at the lines, the team all took the bottles of water they were offered. Those who’d been watching were out on the field, stomping down the divots, while carrying their glasses of champagne.
“We’re playing like crap,” Nicolás moaned.
“No, we’re not.” Jasim tipped water down his throat. “But we need to do better.”
“Poppy overheard something,” Ru said quietly. “Their number Four nearly always sticks to the side favouring a nearside shot, but today he’s struggling. Rumours are, he took a tumble during training and refused to get checked out in case he was ruled unfit to play.”
“Tell Poppy good job and thank you.” Marcelo smiled at him.
“We’re the better team,” Jasim said. “Let’s win this.”
