Polo Fever

Prologue Thirteen Years Ago

Prologue

Thirteen Years Ago

Mateo can hear the other boys sniggering and jeering as he dismounts. His cheeks flushed with shame and heat, he focuses on patting his pony’s neck, refusing to look at them. When he hears footsteps approaching, he glances up and his embarrassment deepens.

‘You did well, mi amorcito,’ his mother says, a reassuring smile on her face.

He shakes his head. ‘I fell.’

‘You got back on again. That player crossed you. It was dangerous. We all saw it.’

Mateo shrugs. ‘It doesn’t matter. He won.’

‘Winning isn’t everything.’

‘Yes, it is.’ His eyes flash up at his mother, alight with fierce determination.

She sighs. ‘You will get there, Mateo. I know it. You mustn’t give up.’ She places her palm flat against her chest. ‘Your heart and your spirit. That is what it takes to win.’

Dejected, Mateo fiddles with the reins. ‘I should go cool her down.’

His mother steps aside to let him pass as he begins to lead his pony back to the stables, then calls his name to stop him.

‘Rossi believes in you,’ she says, his eyes fixed on the dusty ground.

‘He can see your natural talent in the saddle. He thinks, with some training, you will make a great polo player.’ She takes a few steps towards him and lowers her voice.

‘You may not have had the same start in life as these boys, but Rossi still believes you can match them. Sometimes, that’s all you need, Mateo.

Someone to see your talent and recognise that it’s worth their time and effort to believe in you. ’

Mateo nods and continues on his way to the stable.

Her words reverberate in his head as he begins the process of cooling down his pony.

He knows she is right. He has been given a rare opportunity to not just work on the estancia of one of the best polo players of all time, but to train with him, too.

His mother has sacrificed everything for this chance.

And he will not waste it. Mateo lifts his chin defiantly.

Polo is all that matters now.