Page 21 of Courting Trouble

Cassie was on the court, stretching her arm slowly, careful not to aggravate the stubborn twinge further.

Delilah appeared in the court entrance, tennis bag slung over her shoulder, cheeks flushed from the run.

‘I’ve got to fall over!’ Delilah cried, voice high with panic.

Cassie paused, arching a brow. ‘What?’

Delilah rushed on. ‘They’re blocking for the stunt scene! They want me to go down like Tamsin Rowe in the Wimbledon final. Next week!’

Cassie let the words sink in. Then she understood. ‘Oh.’

‘Yeah,’ Delilah said, her hands twisting the straps of her bag. ‘I was supposed to have four more weeks before anyone saw me with a racket in my hand. I’m screwed.’

‘You’re just falling over, though, right?’ Cassie prompted.

‘Like a tennis player,’ Delilah said, voice trembling. ‘Which I’m not. And they’re gonna expect me to dosomething, right?’

Cassie shook her head slightly, keeping her tone calm. ‘They have a stunt person, right? And a coordinator?’

‘Yes, but I have to go down too. Before they make it look good.’

‘So, what’s the problem?’

‘I need to… I have to… It’s just… Ah, fuck! I don’t know.’

‘You want to fall like a tennis player. Is that it?’

Delilah nodded. ‘What if I just fall and actually, ya know, fuck myself up because I don’t know what I’m doing?’

Cassie shrugged. ‘I could help with that.’

Delilah let out a relieved breath. ‘You can?’

‘Sure,’ Cassie said.

Cassie went into her equipment bag and pulled out a yoga mat.

‘So, let’s fall,’ Cassie said.

Delilah’s eyes widened. ‘What, now?’

‘Yep. I use this for stretching, but it should cut the mustard as long as you don’t throw yourself down too crazy.’

Delilah bit her lip, hesitated, then nodded slowly. ‘OK.’ She sighed. ‘Cassie, thank you. I really appreciate this. I know it’s a bit outside the remit.’

Cassie nodded, pleased she could help Delilah calm down. ‘Let’s get to work.’

Twenty-Three

Cassie had laid a yoga mat in the middle of the court, its bright green surface stark against the pale concrete. Cassie stood at one end, arms crossed, eyes serious.

‘OK,’ Cassie said. ‘This is about bracing yourself. Don’t go stiff, but don’t flop either. Use the mat—it’ll take the edge off—but your body still needs to protect itself.’

Delilah swallowed hard, staring at the mat like it was a bed of nails. Cassie bent her knees, showing how to position her arms and tuck her chin.

‘OK. I think I understand,’ Delilah said.

Cassie didn’t believe her.