Chapter 10 Section 9

July 28 Kay Schunki, in a bright yellow sweater and shorts, leans forward to watch the tennis players in action.It was the men's singles semi-final, and Neville was up against Merrick, considered "a rising star in tennis", and the young rookie's performance was undeniable - some of his serves Quite overwhelming - but he also suffered from the experience and skill of his older opponents. The current score is a three-to-three tie. Ted Latimer slipped into a chair beside Kay, and said in a languid, mocking tone: "The Faithful Wife Watches Her Husband Swing His Rack to Victory!"

Kay was taken aback. "You gave me a big jump. I didn't know you were here." "I'm always by your side. Now you know." Ted Latimer was twenty-five and very good-looking--though the older generation would say he was: "Latin tunes!" His skin was an even, beautiful tan from the sun, and he danced brilliantly. His dark eyes are so captivating that they can speak for a mouth, and he speaks with the confidence of an actor.Kay had known him since he was fifteen.They anointed and sunbathed together, danced and played tennis together.They are not only friends, but "allies".

The young Merrick was serving in the left field, and Neville hit back unstoppably, with a beautiful smash that went straight to the bottom line of the corner. "Neville's backhand is great," Tedder said, "much better than his forehand. Neville knows Merrick's backhand is weak. He'll try to take advantage of that." The round is over. "Four to three——Shi Chunji leads." In the next round, Shi Chunji will serve.Merrick was defeated and defenseless. "Five to three." "Nevill had the advantage," Latimer said. Then the young lad picked himself up and started playing cautiously.He changed the speed of the ball.

"He's got brains," Ted said, "and his footwork is top-notch. Here's to the show." The young lads gradually tied, five to five.Then it was tied seven to seven and three times.In the end, Merrick won the game 9-7. Neville walked to the central partition, grinned, shook his head regretfully, and shook hands with the other party. "Younger is better after all," said Thad Latimer, "nineteen versus thirty-three. But I can tell you why Neville never wins the title, he's too much to lose. " "Nonsense." "No bullshit. Damn Neville has always been a consummate good athlete. I've never seen him throw a tantrum over a loss."

"Of course not," Kaye said. "No one would." "Oh no, they would: everybody's seen it. Some tennis stars have the audacity - and take advantage of. But old Neville - he's always going to laugh it off and let the better man win. God, I I hate the spirit of this gentleman's education! I am very grateful that I didn't go to that kind of noble school." Kay turned to look at him. "Isn't this a bit malicious?" "good!" "I hope you don't like Neville and don't make it so obvious." "Why should I like him? He stole my girl."

His eyes wandered over her. "I'm not your girl. Circumstances don't allow it." "Indeed. If you don't have money, you'll be disgusted. I can't expect you to be my poor wife." "Shut up. I married Neville because I fell in love with him—" "And he's a hell of a guy—we all say so!" "Are you trying to annoy me on purpose?" She turned to face him and asked the question.He smiled—and she smiled back a little later. "How's your summer going, Kay?" "It's fine. Nice vacation on the yacht. I'm kind of tired of these ball games."

"How long is the game left? One month?" "Well. Then we got 'Gull Point' to go for two weeks in September." "I'll be staying at the East Head Inn," said Ted. "I've got a room." "That's going to be fun!" Kay said; "Neville and I, Neville's ex-wife, and some guy who's coming back from Malaya." "Sounds like a lot of fun!" "And, of course, add that slovenly cousin who's like a slave girl to the old woman's service--it's useless for her, and she'll get nothing in the end, because the property will go to me and Neville."

"Perhaps," Thad said, "she doesn't know?" "That's kind of weird," Kay said. But she seemed absent-minded. She stared at the tennis racket she was playing with.Suddenly she gasped. "Oh, Ted!" "What's the matter, sweetheart?" "I don't know. It's just that sometimes I feel—terrified! I feel scared and weird." "It's not like you, Kay." "It's not like me, is it? Anyway," she smiled a little uncertainly, "You will be at the Dongtouwan Hotel." "Everything is going according to plan."

When Kaye and Neville met in the dressing room, he said. "I saw your boyfriend." "Ted?" "Well, the faithful dog—or rather the lizard (loafer) would be more appropriate." "You don't like him?" "Oh, I don't care about him. If you like pulling him like a dog—" He shrugged. kay said: "I think you're jealous." "I'm jealous of Latimer?" He was genuinely surprised. kay said: "Ted was charming." "I believe he is very attractive. He has South American charm." "You are jealous."

Neville squeezed her crotch friendly. "No, I'm not, beauty. You can have your admirers—a lot of it, if you like. I'm your proprietor, legally sure." "You've got a lot of confidence in yourself," Kay said slightly. "Of course. You and I are meant to be. Fate brought us together. You remember we met in Cannis, and then I went to Estoril. Once there, the first thing I saw Lovely Kay again! I knew then that it was fate - and I couldn't escape it." "It's not really fate," said Kay, "it's me!" "What do you mean 'it's me'?"

"Because it's actually me! You know, I heard you say you were going to Estoril in the hotel, so I spent a lot of time with my mother, and I talked her into it—so you're there The first person I saw was Kay." Neville looked at her with a slightly strange expression.He said slowly, "You never told me before." "Yeah, because it's bad for you. It might make you feel smug! But I've always been good at planning. Things don't happen unless you make them happen! Sometimes you call me a fool—but I'm smart in my own way. I make things happen, and sometimes I have to plan ahead." "Mental work must be strong." "It doesn't matter if you make fun of it." Neville suddenly said bitterly: "Am I just beginning to understand the woman I'm married to? Destiny—that's Kay!" kay said: "You are not angry, Neville?" He was a little absent-minded. He said: "No - no - of course not. I was just - thinking..."