Chapter Four: Champions of the Mud

Is this a team or your charity home?” The room fell silent. Greyport did shelter failures, but one wounded man could still wound another. “Why didn't you recover?” Lin asked Eli. “Thought I'd win it back.” “Answer.” Eli looked away. “You were angry about the referee,” Lin said. “You charged the entire team two points for your temper.” “So release me.” “One-match suspension. This week's bonus withheld. Apologise tomorrow. For six weeks, you attend every rehabilitation session with Gary.” “Why?” “Because seeing you does not mean excusing you.” Eli kicked the bench and vanished into the rain. At seven the next morning, Gary arrived on crutches. Eli was waiting with two coffees. “I don't drink syrup,” Gary said. “That one's mine.”