by Jen Silver
“Good morning.” She gave them both a big smile. “Did you sleep well?”
“Like a log,” Rosemary said. “It must be the sea air.”
“Great. What about you, Sam?”
“Took me a while to get off. The girls in the next room were having a bit of party.”
“Oh, that’s too bad. Do you want me to speak to them?”
“No, no, of course not. They packed it in about eleven and I certainly don’t want to be seen as an old party-pooper just because I decided to go to bed at ten.”
Jordan knew that Sam and Rosemary were the two oldest students. Perhaps that’s why they had been put in her group. The guys fancied their chances with the younger women.
“Have either of you seen Beth this morning? She’s supposed to be with us.”
Sam opened her mouth to say something, but Rosemary got in first. “She wasn’t at breakfast, but I thought maybe she would eat in her chalet.”
“They’re not really set up for self-catering.” Jordan looked at her watch. “Okay, we’d best get started. If she doesn’t show in a few more minutes, I’ll go and check on her.”
After they had selected their putters and Jordan had shown them how to get the ball moving towards a hole, Beth still hadn’t arrived.
“Sorry about this. I’ll go and see if Beth’s okay. You two carry on. Won’t be long.”
Jordan was just setting off in a buggy when Andi strolled around the corner of the clubhouse. She wasn’t wearing the uniform today and looked totally relaxed in loose-fitting T-shirt and tailored shorts.
“Hi Andi. I have to go and round up a missing student. Would you mind keeping an eye on those two? I haven’t had time to give them much instruction.”
Andi looked across to the putting green just at the moment when Rosemary hit a ball, which careered wildly into the bushes on the far side. “I see what you mean. Looks like she’s played croquet, though.”
“Thanks. I shouldn’t be long.”
†
Sam, still stunned by the news that Beth was in their group, watched as Rosemary took a swipe at the ball. She had learned most of Rosemary’s life history as they walked down the hill from the manor together. It was nice to know she wasn’t the oldest person on the course and that the other woman was as ignorant as she was about how to play golf. She figured that was why they were in this group together. The application forms had requested information about other sports played. The answer to that in her case was none.
Her lack of sleep the night before didn’t have much to do with the partying next door. The shock of seeing Beth the day before and the few words they had shared kept going around in her mind.
She thought she could just about handle Beth’s presence, but she wasn’t sure how she would cope when Lydia turned up.
“Looks like you ladies could use some help.”
Sam turned to see Andi bending down to retrieve Rosemary’s ball from under the hydrangea. It was an enticing sight, the long toned and tanned legs disappearing into her shorts and the outline of a firm backside. She gave herself a mental slap. Andi wasn’t really her type and she shouldn’t even be entertaining lustful thoughts about the woman who was undoubtedly Lady Temperley’s lover.
Andi straightened up and grinned at her, as if she knew exactly where her thoughts had been going.
“Okay. So, putting lesson number one. A lot of amateurs, especially when they first start playing, don’t realise the importance of learning to putt properly. As we say in the business, ‘drive for show, putt for dough.’ It’s no good being able to put the ball on the green in the right number of shots if you can’t putt.”
After taking them through the basic stroke and emphasising the importance of following through and not lifting the head to see where the ball was going, she pronounced them ready for a competition.
“So, we’ll use these three holes,” Andi pointed them out. “The player who completes them in the least number of shots is the winner. And the prize is,” she groped around in the pocket of her shorts, “fifty pence.” She held the coin up for them to see.
“Oh, but we shouldn’t be playing for money.” Rosemary looked shocked.
“Of course you should. Just going around hitting the ball is boring as shit unless there’s prize money on it. And it makes you concentrate.”
Sam was sure this wasn’t the way their lesson would be going if Jordan had been in charge. But she was grateful to Andi for making it fun.
†
Jordan stopped off at the manor house to see if Beth had turned up belatedly for breakfast. The dining room was empty, the tables cleared and already set for lunch. She hopped back into the buggy and drove around to the first of the chalets.
She knocked, softly at first, then more insistently. Trying the door handle she was surprised to find the door unlocked. That saved her having to go and find one of the cleaning crew.
Beth was huddled in a chair by the fireplace. When she looked up, Jordan could see red-rimmed eyes staring back at her. She quickly closed the gap between them and knelt down in front of the chair.
“What’s the matter? Are you ill? Do you need to see a doctor.”
“No, I…” Beth shook out an already sodden tissue and blew into it.
Jordan looked around and located the box of Kleenex. She handed it to Beth who proceeded to blow her nose more effectively. Taking another tissue she dabbed at her eyes.
“I’m sorry. Just some bad news.”
“Oh, I see. Anything I can do to help?” Jordan moved over to the other chair and perched on the edge.
“Not unless you’re a relationship counsellor.”
“Can’t say I’m qualified in that area but I’m a good listener.”
Beth blew her nose again and then started to speak. “Lydia phoned this morning. I thought she would be letting me know what time she’s arriving tomorrow. Instead she says she has to go back to Yorkshire. There’s a problem at the school that she has to deal with, something to do with the building work going on this summer. I asked her why the premises manager couldn’t handle it. Turns out he’s on holiday this week as well. In Spain.” Beth looked at Jordan, her eyes brimming with tears again. “She promised me we would have this two weeks together. And now she won’t be here until Saturday or Sunday. It’s all that’s kept me going the last six months. And I didn’t even have the chance to tell her Sam’s here.”
“Sam? Sam Wade?” Jordan had the feeling she was stepping into murky waters.
“Yes. It was a shock to see her here yesterday. I’m sorry. I just can’t face anyone right now, especially not Sam.”
“Maybe I’m being a bit dense, but what’s Sam got to do with it?”
“She’s my ex. We’re getting divorced.”
Jordan sat back in her chair and let out the breath she hadn’t realised she’d been holding. That maybe explained Sam’s lack of sleep. If the party in the next room finished at eleven, she could still have got in a good eight or nine hours before needing to get up for breakfast. She also wouldn’t be thrilled to find herself in the same lesson group with Beth…and Lydia when she eventually turned up.
“Um, so let me get this straight. You and Lydia work at the same school. Why is that a problem? I thought teachers were generally fairly liberal in their outlook.”
“She’s the head. And straight’s a good word. That’s what everyone thinks she is…parents, governors, kids. Lydia was married and has two children. Actually, they’re young adults now. Her son’s in his last year at uni. I haven’t even been allowed to meet him yet. He was home for the Christmas break but I was still living with Sam at that time. And her daughter works on a cruise ship, one of those that do the river cruises through Europe. Her boyfriend’s from Romania or somewhere round there, so they visited his parents last time she had a holiday. I thought I might at least meet Tom during Easter, but he went off on a skiing holiday with friends. I don’t think Lydia’s told either him or Tara about me. And now this. That’s
how important I am in her life.” Beth was obviously struggling not to cry again but a few tears had leaked out.
Jordan didn’t know what to do to comfort her. But it looked like she was going to be more than one student down for the day.
“Look, it’s okay if you don’t feel like facing the world right now. Just stay here if you want. And if you would prefer to be by yourself outside, there’s a path down to the beach. It’s at the edge of the thirteenth green. A steep climb, but worth it. When the tide’s out, there’s a nice stretch of sand there.”
“Thanks. I might do that.”
Jordan stood. “I should be getting back. If I don’t see you at lunch, I’ll save some food for you.”
Beth smiled up at her and Jordan’s heart lurched. Even with the blotchy tear-stained face, she was an attractive woman. Sam was undoubtedly devastated to lose her and Lydia didn’t deserve her love by the sounds of it.
†
A peal of laughter rang out from the putting green as Jordan parked the buggy by the clubhouse. She walked around the corner to see Andi standing between Sam and Rosemary flipping a coin.
“Ah, Jordan. Just in time for the playoff. Right, Sam, you went first last time so Rosie, heads or tails?”
Jordan thought Rosemary had probably never been called “Rosie” in her life but she giggled flirtatiously at Andi’s question and said, “Heads.”
Andi lifted her hand and looked at the coin. “Heads it is. Off you go.”
“What are you doing?” Jordan asked.
“Sh. There’s top prize money riding on this.”
Rosemary was the picture of concentration as she lined up her putt. The ball was a good twenty yards from the hole. Sam, standing to one side, was watching her intently. It seemed Andi was training them in the art of competition and this was only their first lesson of the week.
It was a good stroke and the ball rolled inexorably towards the hole, veering slightly to the right at the last moment and stopping about six inches away.
“Excellent. Now you, Sam.” Andi placed another ball on the spot where Rosemary’s had started.
Sam stood behind the ball and held the club up in front of her body, eyeing the line between the ball and the hole, a technique referred to as a “plumb bob.” Had Andi taught her that in the short time she had been away, or had Sam picked it up watching golf on TV?
Finally satisfied that she had the right line, Sam placed the club head behind the ball, set her feet either side of the shaft, and committed to the stroke.
Jordan had to admit it was a good technique. Sam didn’t make the beginner’s mistake of stopping the club too soon and she didn’t raise her head to look after the ball until it was well on its way. She had also learned from watching the track of Rosemary’s ball. It stopped just short of the hole. One more roll and it would have dropped in.
Andi clapped her hands. “Fantastic. Both very good putts. A little unlucky, Rosie. But you will generally find putts with a left to right break are the hardest for any right-handed golfer. To the winner!” She handed the fifty pence coin in her hand to Sam. “And for the runner-up.” She produced a twenty pence piece from her pocket and gave it to Rosemary.
Turning to Jordan, she said, “My work here is done. Excellent students, as you have just observed.”
“I can’t believe you have them playing for money, already.”
“Always good to have an incentive. Chocolate can work just as effectively in some cases.” Andi winked at Jordan before strolling away. “Catch you later, ladies,” she called over her shoulder.
Jordan looked at Sam and Rosemary who were both watching Andi walk off towards the clubhouse. Disappointed, no doubt, that they were stuck with her as an instructor now. “Well, I have to say I’m impressed with your techniques. You seemed to have picked up the basics of the putting stroke very quickly.”
“Is Beth okay?” Rosemary asked.
“Um, yes, she will be.” Jordan checked her watch. “Time for us to move on. We’re doing bunkers next. You can leave the putters here.”
“Jordan?” Rosemary was looking at her anxiously.
“Yes.”
“Is there a toilet nearby?”
“Yes, in the clubhouse. No rush. If you’re not sure how to find us, ask Roger. He’ll be here with his group shortly.”
As soon as Rosemary was out of earshot, Sam asked, “What’s wrong with Beth?”
Jordan had been pondering what to say on her way back from Beth’s chalet. She thought of telling Sam it was a tummy upset, but Sam would see through that. They passed Roger’s group as they walked towards the practice bunker. He couldn’t resist shouting over, “Can’t afford to lose any more students, Jordy. One is unfortunate, three is just plain careless.”
She gave him a little wave and kept on walking.
“Is it because of me? I didn’t know she was going to be here.” Sam was keeping up with her long stride.
“No. Not entirely.” They had reached the bunker and Jordan was dismayed to see that Roger hadn’t raked it. She picked up the rake and started to smooth out the footprints left by the previous group.
When she finished she turned to Sam, leaning on the rake. “Look, it’s a bit awkward, to say the least. We can move you to another group.”
“Why me? Why not move Beth?”
“That’s an option, I guess. But it will mean moving Lydia as well when she turns up. She was supposed to be here tomorrow, but she’s had to deal with something at the school so she’s told Beth she won’t make it until the weekend. That’s what Beth is coping with this morning. She’s a bit upset.”
Sam looked down at the ground. She wasn’t sure how to react. The night before while lying awake, trying to distract herself from thoughts of seeing Lydia and Beth together, she was working out how many lesbians were in the group. It was more interesting than counting sheep.
There were the obvious couples, Tammy and Liz, plus the two latecomers, Tracy and Simone. Anya she wasn’t sure about. Just because she had short hair and an abrupt manner didn’t necessarily mean she was. Freddie had the potential to be a baby dyke. She had already counted herself, Beth, Andi and Lady Temperley. So that was a possible half of the group of students and now, with Jordan, at least three staff members.
Rosemary was approaching and Sam shook her head. “I don’t want to move groups. I’d rather have you teaching me than one of the men. But if it’s upsetting for Beth…”
“I think she’s more wound up right now about Lydia not being here. Maybe we should see how things go if she feels able to join in with the sessions tomorrow.”
“Have I missed anything?” Rosemary was out of breath.
“No, I was just showing Sam how to rake the bunker. It’s something you need to do when you’ve played your shot.”
The next forty-five minutes passed quickly as both Rosemary and Sam found trying to hit the ball out of the sand much more demanding than putting. At the end of their lesson, Sam raked while Jordan and Rosemary collected the balls from around the flag they had been aiming at.
After lunch they would be on the driving range and Sam was actually looking forward to learning how to hit the ball a long way. At least, she hoped she would be able to hit it a long way. As they made their way back to the manor house, she wondered if Beth would be there and what she would say to her.
†
Taking the putting session had been fun. Andi debated heading out onto the course to hit a few balls while it was empty, but decided it was too hot for that much activity since the day had heated up considerably. Plus she was on holiday.
Walking slowly back up to the house, she passed a woman coming down. Curly brown hair that drifted around her head like a halo and the body of a runner—not that Andi had really noticed her, of course. But out of the group of students, she was the only one Andi had given a ten.
She didn’t stop and only gave Andi a quick glance. Just from that brief look, though, Andi could see she had been crying. Was this
the woman Jordan had gone to check up on? She wondered if Freya realised what she was taking on. Andi knew only too well how emotional things could get with a host of women secluded in one place.
Ever since her experience with Sonya, she had distanced herself from emotional entanglements on tour. Any liaisons now only lasted for the duration of the tournament. She didn’t plan on getting caught like that again. Ironically, if she had listened to Stella’s advice in the first place it wouldn’t have happened and she wouldn’t also have lost a good friend and caddy.
Stella had warned her off getting involved with the young Swedish player, but by that time Andi was already hooked. And it seemed Sonya was too. The intensity of those few months had stayed with her through fifteen years. She still woke up sweating from dreams of Sonya, which always involved a chase of some kind, trying to reach her, to rescue her. But what did she need to rescue her from? Sonya had chosen her path and it didn’t include Andi.
For a time, Andi didn’t think she would ever get over the way Sonya had played her. When she found out, on the eve of a World Cup team event, that since she had last seen her Sonya had become engaged to a man she had known since childhood, Andi’s confidence collapsed. Lisa Chalmers, her teammate for the event, had finally told her in exasperation, “You’re not the first lesbian in the world to be dumped for a man. Get over it and get a life, for God’s sake!”
Andi had thought she was finished with love. Staying celibate between one and two night stands had seemed preferable to taking the risk of having her heart broken again. Then she met Lady Temperley.
†
Beth had thought it was Jordan walking up the hill towards her, but she remembered that the club professional had been wearing the Temperley Cliffs uniform. This woman, similar in height and hair colour, was wearing shorts and a casual T-shirt.
Too bad. She wouldn’t have minded talking with Jordan some more. Although perhaps Jordan wouldn’t want to hear more about her complicated love life. It didn’t need to be complicated, though. Lydia either wanted to be with her, or she didn’t. A few weeks ago Beth had been sure she wanted a divorce from Sam, now even that didn’t feel like a certainty any more. Sam was still wearing her wedding ring. Beth had noticed it when they were sitting in the lawyer’s office and wanted to ask her why. But it became clear when she’d walked out and in their subsequent phone conversation. Sam was holding onto the idea that she would come back to her.