Horrid Henry and the Soccer Fiend

Horrid Henry and the Soccer Fiend “ . . . AND with 15 seconds to go it's Hot-Foot Henry racing across the field! Beckham tries a slide tackle but Henry's too quick! Just look at that step-over! Oh no, he can't score from that distance, it's crazy, it's impossible, oh my goodness, he cornered the ball, it's IN! ! ! ! It's IN! Another spectacular goal! Another spectacular win! And it's all thanks to Hot-Foot Henry, the greatest soccer star who's ever lived! ”

“ Goal! Goal! Goal! ” roared the crowd. Hot-Foot Henry won the match! His teammates carried him through the fans, cheering and chanting, “ Hen-ry! Hen-ry! Hen-ry! ” “ HENRY! ” Horrid Henry looked up to see Miss Battle-Axe leaning over his table and glaring at him with her red eyes. “ What did I just say?” “ Henry, ” said Horrid Henry. Miss Battle-Axe scowled. “ I'm watching you, Henry, ” she snapped. “ Now class, please pay attention, we need to discuss--" “ Waaaaa! ” wailed Weepy William. “ Susan, stop pulling my hair! ” squealed Vain Violet.

“ Miss! ” shouted Inky Ian, “ Ralph snatched my pen! ” “ Did not! ” shouted Rude Ralph. “ Did too! ” shouted Inky Ian. “ Class! Be quiet! ” bellowed Miss Battle-Axe. “ Waaaaa! ” wailed Weepy William. “ Owwww! ” squealed Vain Violet. “ Give it back! ” shouted Inky Ian. “ Fine, ” said Miss Battle-Axe, “ we won't talk about soccer. ” William stopped wailing. Violet stopped squealing.

Ian stopped shouting. Henry stopped daydreaming. Everyone in the class stared at Miss Battle-Axe. Miss Battle-Axe wanted to talk about. . . soccer? Was this an alien Miss Battle-Axe? “ As you all know, our local team, Ashton Athletic, has reached the sixth round of the National Soccer Cup, ” said Miss Battle-Axe. “ YAY! ” shrieked the class. “ And I'm sure you all know what happened last night. . . ”

Last night! Henry could still hear the announcer's glorious words as he and Peter had gathered around the radio as the draw for round six was announced. “ Number 16, Ashton Athletic, will be playing. . . ” there was a long pause as the announcer drew another ball from the hat. . . “ number 7, Manhattan United. ” “ Go Ashton! ” shrieked Horrid Henry. “ As I was saying, before I was so rudely interrupted--" Miss Battle-Axe glared at Horrid Henry, “ Ashton are playing Manhattan United in a few weeks. Every local elementary school has been given a pair of tickets. And thanks to my good luck in the teacher's draw, the lucky winner will come from our class. " “ Me! ” screamed Horrid Henry. “ Me! ” screamed Moody Margaret.