Gummshoes - Mission #1: The Nobbled Numbskull: Gummshoes, #1

By E. J. Gore

School will never be the same for Alex after he is befriended by Frankie Gumm and Oliver Mollison.

As a member of the Gummshoe Gang, his habit of taking notes is particularly useful when the boys set out to discover who is sabotaging the school soccer team. The new friendship also teaches him valuable skills in dealing with the school bullies.

• Language: English
• Publisher: E. J. Gore
• Release date: May 12, 2016
• ISBN: 9781533741936

Book preview

Also by E.J. Gore

Taya Bayliss – Treasure Hunter

Taya Bayliss – Dog Sitter

Taya Bayliss – Code Breaker

Taya Bayliss – Snake Charmer

Taya Bayliss – Tree Hugger

Cover Illustration by Kaleri.

Chapter 1

Thursday: 3:20 p.m.

‘Come on, Bubble, we need you.’

‘No way!’ Frankie Gumm shrugged Mack’s hand from his arm.

‘The deal was that I make sure your math homework is right before you hand it in, and you pick me on your team so that Mrs Marino thinks I’m involved in sport. You pass Math and I get a Satisfactory for P.E. There was nothing about me having to actually play. I pack up the gear. I fill the water bottles. I do not play.’

‘Yeah, yeah, normally that’s how it is, but we have an emergency here. Nits has twisted his ankle. He can’t run. You have to fill in for him.’

Frankie eyed Jon Nittleson who was being assisted from the field by two of his teammates. Once Nits was settled on a wooden bench, the P.E. Teacher, Mrs Marino, inspected his ankle. Teena Hartley stood nearby holding an ice pack, ready to apply it to the injury. She patted Nits comfortingly on the shoulder. Frankie bit his lip. Girls never looked at him like that, all big-eyed and soppy.

‘You don’t need me. This is only a practice match. It’s one all. It doesn’t matter if we win or not,’ he protested, pushing brown hair back from his forehead.

‘Yeah, but we can’t let Tigmore beat us. I mean, geez, Bubble, - it’s Tigmore. They’re our arch enemies. Mrs Marino says we have to field a full team; the score won’t count otherwise. Eleven players have to be on the field. With Max at the dentist and Nits out, you’re number eleven. All you have to do is stand there. No biggie.’

Mack extended his hand, knuckles first, toward the scowling boy. ‘Now get out there, Bubble! Don’t make me carry you.’

‘Okay, okay,’ Frankie grumbled, completing the knuckle touch. ‘But no complaints when I mess up.’

‘Just pretend it’s a video game,’ Mack replied. ‘You’re a star in virtual soccer.’

Frankie pulled a face and suppressed a growl of annoyance. ‘Yeah, yeah, I’m a star,’ he muttered.

Playing sport in a video game and playing sport in reality were two entirely different things. He trudged onto the soccer field, took up a position as close to the sideline as possible and did his best to look interested in the game. A glance at his watch told him there were only two minutes left to play. Beads of perspiration appeared on his forehead and top lip. Butterflies cavorted in his stomach. He shifted his weight from foot to foot. This was no way to be spending a Thursday afternoon.

‘Keep the ball down the other end, guys,’ he gritted. ‘Keep it away from me.’

The Carson Road School Cannons had the ball, but their opponents, Tigmore Heights Titans, were defending strongly.

That’s right, Titans, don’t let them cross halfway. Only one more minute. No! Don’t let Mack have the ball. No!

Matt McKenzie trapped the ball neatly and began moving slowly towards the defenders. Two steps to the left and a lightning fast right sidestep took him into free space.

‘Go!’ bellowed Nits, jumping up from the bench, forgetting his ankle.

‘Ow! Go, Mack!’

Mack ran on, the ball beautifully controlled. The defense regrouped and quickly blocked his progress. Frankie watched in horrified fascination as Mack passed the ball - to him.

No! What are you doing, Mack? Don’t pass it to me! Holy crab cakes! I’m not supposed to be playing.

It was a great pass. It skimmed across the grass towards Frankie’s feet. A silent prayer for the whole situation to be a dream went unanswered.

‘Bubble!’ screamed Mack. ‘Back to me!’

Frankie glared at the green C on the front of his teammate’s shirt and extended his right foot. The ball struck his foot at the perfect angle and ricocheted into the centre of the field where Mack was waiting. A superb strike sent the ball spinning past the keeper.

Goal!

Chapter 2

Thursday: 3:25 p.m.

As the referee’s whistle brought an end to the game, the Cannons supporters dashed onto the field, roaring their approval. Mack turned to smile at Frankie, sending him a thumbs up, before laughingly accepting the praise of the crowd.

Frankie heaved a sigh of relief. He made his way back to the equipment bags.

‘Nice pass, Frank,’ Mrs Marino said as she handed the first