Page 144 of Playing for Keeps

“You must be really proud though.” Amy said. “Not about the small talk! It’s impressive how much you’ve accomplished here.”

“I’ve been busy,” Allie agreed.

“What’s next?” Leo asked. “You know we really like the idea of being friends with a sporting star.”

Allie flashed him a mischievous look. “Obviously you’d prefer it if I was a footballer.”

“Did I say that?” Leo grimaced. “I might have been drunk.”

“You were definitely drunk,” Caitlin told him with a playful glare.

“I don’t think I’m going to get back to playing professionally anyway,” Allie said. “I have too many other ideas for my career.”

“I love that you’re offering golf lessons for kids,” Amy said. “I’ll bet there’s a huge demand for that.”

Allie nodded. “My coaching courses in the summer holidays are all full and so are the classes for the autumn.”

That meant she was at least staying until the end of the year, Hugh told himself before berating himself and focusing instead on the feel of Allie’s fingers trailing through his hair at the back of his neck.

“I didn’t really mean the coaching, though,” Allie said, giving him a nervous smile before looking again at his friends. “I have more business ideas.”

Hugh’s heart pounded.

“You’re very inspiring,” Caitlin said. “You make me think about a change of career. Something I really love. Maybe something that doesn’t require driving to Totnes, since I’m going to be living here now.” Her eyes sparkled as she reached for Leo’s hand, then she looked back up at Allie. “Anyway, what’s your idea?”

“It’s probably a bit daft.” She chewed her bottom lip, looking unsure of herself in a way that was completely out of character.

“What is it?” Hugh asked, as his brain decided whatever she said would probably take her far away from him.

“I keep thinking how much I loved redesigning the course,” she said, her quiet words holding everyone’s attention. “I realised that my knowledge of golf courses is specialised. Having grown up on a course and playing professionally and just spending all this time in the golfing world gives me really unique insights. I could go into business redesigning golf courses. I have connections with courses all across Europe. Plus, I know there’s a demand for it.”

When her passionate monologue reached its end, Allie looked sheepish.

“Wow,” Caitlin said. “I really need to rethink my career.”

“It’s only a thought,” Allie said bashfully.

“It sounds like an amazing idea,” Amy put in.

“I’d need a business partner,” Allie said. “If anyone knows an architect with experience in golf courses, let me know.” She gave Hugh a sidelong look that was questioning and uncertain.

He blinked a few times. “Are you serious?”

“I seriously think we’d make an unstoppable team. And working together was so much fun.”

Damian leaned onto the table. “Would you need to travel a lot?”

“No,” Allie replied. “We’d need to visit the golf courses once or twice, but we wouldn’t take on more than a few projects a year. I’d still have the club to run here and my coaching sessions, and Hugh would have his own work. We could pick and choose the projects and arrange travel to suit us. We could go at weekends or school holidays so we could bring Emmy with us. I’ll bet she’d love it.”

Leo chuckled. “It seems as though you have it all planned out already.”

“No,” she said defensively, then sighed. “When I get an idea in my head, I tend to explore it. What do you think?” she asked Hugh.

“I have no idea.” He twisted in his chair to look at Alice, who was patting him on the back and demanding his attention. “Hey,” he said to her. “What are you up to?”

She waddled around and tugged on his hand, babbling something unintelligible at him.

“You can have my seat,” he told Allie, nudging her off his lap to be dragged away by Alice. “I’ll be right back.”

---