Changeover

Jules wrote to me on Wednesday morning. Her message was shorter than I expected: Mara says you found something in the last return. Would you take a look at our next opponents? I can pay you for an hour. No pressure if you’re busy.

I was busy. I had promised Ivo a film session with two junior players and had an appointment to find out whether I could begin moving faster. I told Jules the truth, including that I would look another time if she still wanted an outside eye. She replied that she would hold me to it. There was no hidden disappointment to manage; she had asked a professional question and I had given a professional answer.

At the Vale, Ivo’s two players argued over whether a return had been short or simply unexpected. I stopped the film at the moment the receiver turned her shoulders and asked…