An Endless Summer(78)

Tammy’s eyes widened. “Why? What happens then?”

The sound of the white ball smashing into the billiards was always an ear-piercing crack when Sean was behind it. More often than not he pocketed one ball (if not two) on the break. That’s why he always wanted to go first. So typical.

I tore my eyes slowly from the pool table to look at Tammy’s alarmed, blue-eyed stare.

Oh right, she asked a question. “Pub tradition has it that if you don’t pocket a single ball in a game you have to …” I deliberately broke off, grimacing for effect as I witnessed Tammy turning back into the timid schoolgirl I knew. I didn’t want to take such pleasure at slowly torturing her; although the look on her face was priceless.

“Have to what?” she croaked.

“Well, you have to drop your dacks and do a lap around the pool table.”

Tammy’s mouth gaped in horror.

I shrugged. “Or, in your case, hitch up your skirt, I guess.”

“Amy, you’re up!” Stan called.

I jumped up from my stool. “Don’t worry, you’ll pocket a ball, I’m sure.”

She didn’t.

Thanks to my misspent childhood, it was really a battle between me and Sean, making it a fast game. Every time he finished a shot, he would hand me the cue with a smug, knowing look, his fingers brushing against mine. I thought it was deliberate, but knew better when Tammy awkwardly lined up for another cringe-worthy shot. Sean, being the caring partner he was, guided her through every shot, leaning next to her, pointing out the best solution.

“You see where the light hits the edge of the ball? That’s where you have to hit it. You need to slice it on that angle and it will glide into that pocket,” Sean said gently.

“Yeah, Tammy, just tap it gently, not too much force,” Stan added.

I spun around to glare at him. “Whose side are you on?”

Stan grimaced. “Oops, sorry.”

Now Sean was guiding Tammy on how to hold the pool cue correctly, his hands manoeuvring hers in the right places. I turned away, rolling my eyes and sighing impatiently at how long the shot was taking because of it. Even more annoying, something darker spiked in me every time they spoke to each other, or touched, or laughed. It blackened my mood, but if anything, it made me play like a demon. I channelled my annoyance into fierce competitiveness and determination. Every time I pocketed a ball, I lifted my eyes to Sean, who casually leaned against the wall. It was like I only had one opponent to beat, and Stan and Tammy didn’t exist. The game was solely between Sean and me.

After all the guidance and touchy-feely in the world, Tammy still missed the shot. No, seriously; she totally missed everything. Her cue slipped in her hands and clipped the white billiard awkwardly, sending it in the opposite direction. We all cringed with apprehension – it was only a matter of time before she tore through the felt tabletop. Sean smiled in good humour, offering her patient words of reassurance, even though I could see his frustration bubbling under the surface.

Tammy blushed and became more and more flustered with each failed attempt, apologising profusely. Sean displayed nothing but the patience of a saint. Which was quite rich, I thought, knowing that if I was on his team playing as badly as Tammy he would have no doubt called me out on it. Both teams’ billiards had at last been pocketed except for the final, infamous black ball.

“Come on, Stan! You got this, home and hosed.” I called words of encouragement as my partner lined up for a tricky, but doable shot.

Sean taunted from the sidelines. “No chance, Stan, there is no way. It’s too hard,”

With immense concentration that had him frowning and comically biting on his tongue, Stan ever so gently tapped the white ball with the cue. It glided directly up the felt. It rolled almost in heart-stopping slow motion. It was going to hit the black ball, that was certain, but as the white ball ran out of momentum on its way across the table it tapped into the black and rolled both balls closer and into a direct, match-winning line. We all sighed as one; Stan and I with disappointment and Tammy and Sean with relief.

Before Stan and I could cast each other looks of despair, Sean was on the move, grabbing Stan’s cue and chalking it up frantically as he stood in front of Tammy.

“Now, Tam, you got this,” he said. “There is no way you can miss this, it’s that easy.”

Stan threw me a grin and I couldn’t help but grin back. Yep! It was Tammy’s turn. Although, worry did creep past the edges of my mind. It was an easy shot – surely, surely now was not her time to get it together. After all this, Tammy winning the game? Oh God. My grin fell from my face. This was bad; this was really bad.