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“Yes.” She caught Daisy watching them warily as they walked back through reception, then out the back door to the driving range.
“It’s so cool out here,” Emmy said, taking a club from Allie and looking in awe at the floodlit stretch of grass.
“I think so,” Allie agreed, pausing to take it in herself before grabbing a bucket of balls and heading for the nearest mat. “If you wanted to, you could bring your friends up here on your birthday. Hit some balls and have dinner in the restaurant.”
“Really?” Emmy asked.
Allie smiled at her enthusiasm. “Have a think about it, but I could definitely organise that for you if you want.”
“That might be fun.” Emmy looked to Hugh and then down at the ball that Allie had placed on the tee. “Can I just hit it?”
“Go for it,” Allie said. “Do you know how to stand?”
“I think I remember.” She stood squarely, placing her feet apart, then carefully positioning her hands before looking to Allie for approval.
“It seems as though you had a good teacher.”
“Louise is really good at golf.” Emmy’s features morphed in concentration as she looked down at the ball. She swung hard and missed.
“Give it another try,” Allie said. “Keep your eyes on the ball.”
While Emmy positioned herself for another swing, Allie took a few steps over to Hugh. “Are you okay?” she asked. “You’re very quiet.”
“I’m fine. It’s just been a weird couple of days.”
Allie moved closer again but paused to watch Emmy swing. This time she hit the ball, albeit at an odd angle, sending it off to the left. She looked pleased with herself all the same. “Can I try again?” she asked.
“There’s a whole bucket of balls,” Allie pointed out. “Help yourself.”
She watched quietly for a moment, then shifted her weight, leaning until the back of her hand brushed against the back of Hugh’s hand. “I’m really glad you came,” she said quietly. “It kind of feels as though you’re annoyed with me though.”
“I’m … um …” He paused to smile at Emmy when she sent a ball flying. “You surprised me,” he finally said. “I think I’m still trying to get my head around it.”
Allie nodded.
“I wish you’d told me earlier,” Hugh said.
“I wasn’t trying to be deceitful,” she whispered out of the side of her mouth. “But if I’m honest, it also felt nice to keep things simple for a while. I enjoyed spending time with you and just being me.”
“Except you weren’t being you,” he said flatly.
Allie cast him a sidelong look. “I felt more like me than I have in a long time.”
He didn’t reply as another thwack rang out. “This is fun,” Emmy exclaimed loudly, then caught Hugh’s eye. “Do you want a turn?” When he hesitated, Emmy thrust the club at him. “Go on.”
Reluctantly, he moved to the mat. “I don’t mean to brag,” he said. “But I’ve played mini golf about three times in my life, so don’t be shocked by my golf skills.” He shuffled his feet around, then looked at his grip on the club. “I have no idea what I’m doing,” he said to Allie.
She shrugged. “Swing the club and try to hit the ball.”
“That sounds very easy,” he said, then wasted no time in drawing the club back and swinging it clumsily. It connected with a thwack that sent the ball in a long arc. “I hit it!” His face transformed with childlike enthusiasm.
“I think that’s called beginner’s luck,” Allie said, but couldn’t help but grin at Hugh’s excitement.
“I thought I did well.” He leaned on the club and eyed her cockily. “But I suppose you’re about to show us how it’s really done.”
“No.” Her smile stretched wider at the teasing in his eyes. “I don’t play any more.”
“Surely one shot won’t hurt,” he coaxed.
