Elizabeth looked down at the golf club in her hand and shook her head, before swinging back to try to hit the tiny white ball on the ground in front of her. Did they have to be so tiny? And did these clubs have to be so heavy? Every time she swung backwards, her arms sort of collapsed into her body and then she'd lose 'momentum' according to him. Him who had pointedly asked her when Carson was in hearing distance so she couldn't say no. Carson had been on at her for months to try and find a hobby that would help her 'relax'. Golf, it seemed, didn't. Since she had started, half an hour ago, she had found herself increasingly frustrated as she either missed the ball, or hit it at an angle which meant it collided into a wall and nearly hit her on the rebound.
'Hey, hey, hey.' John said, as she pulled the club back.
She turned to look at him, and he walked over starting to look a little frustrated. Gently he placed one hand on the inside of her left arm, and the other on her elbow and pulled her arm across her body, slowly, in a straight motion. Elizabeth felt a small blush rise to her cheeks, and prayed he didn't notice as she tried to look anywhere other than his face.
'You just need to slow down, and straighten this arm out. It's folding in on you.'
'Well these clubs are pretty heavy.' Elizabeth said defensively.
'Sorry, there aren't any women's clubs on base. But I promise you'll stop having to shield yourself from stray balls if you keep this arm straight on you back swing.' John said stepping back.
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow at him, and looked down at the ball. Slow and straight. Okay. She lined herself up in the way he had taught her to and brought the club backwards, carefully focussing on trying to keep her arm straight. Swinging forwards, she heard the club connect with the ball and looked up to see it hit the sea in front of her. It hadn't gone very far, but at least it had gone straight this time!
'There you go.' John said, smiling.
Elizabeth continued to practice for another twenty minutes, before John insisted they went for lunch, and she had to admit, she had kind of enjoyed it. Since John had helped her improve her backswing, every ball had landed in the sea. Admittedly, in various directions which were anything other than straight, but it felt good to finally be able to hit the ball without fearing for her life. And it felt good to have the fresh air on her face, and the warmth of the sun on her skin. That was almost as good as the golf.
'I told you, it's all in the backswing.' John said, as they headed to the mess hall.
'Several times.' Elizabeth said, smiling to herself.
'So, do you want to try again sometime?' John asked hopefully.
'Maybe.'
'I'm a very busy man Doctor Weir, and my teaching skills are very much in demand. If you're going to want me again, I need more of a commitment than 'maybe'.' John said, using air quotations.
Elizabeth rolled her eyes at his childlike persistence, 'Fine.'
'That's a yes?'
'Yes. Same time next week?'
'It's a date.' He said with a smile.
'Erm, Doctor Weir.' Carson said, from behind her.
Elizabeth turned round, 'Carson.'
'I just wanted to give you these stock numbers.'
Elizabeth accepted the forms, 'Thanks Carson.'
'How was the golf?'
'It was great. She's a natural.' John said, touching her arm slightly.
'I wouldn't go that far.' Elizabeth said, smiling at John.
'Aye.' Carson said.
'We're just going to get lunch; do you want to join us?' Elizabeth asked.
'Already had it. Elizabeth would you be able to come up to the infirmary later? There're a few things I need to go over with you.' Carson said.
'Sure. I'll come straight after lunch.'
Carson gave her a final smile before heading back to the infirmary. There was something about the way he looked at her though...a hint of amusement, almost as if he was teasing her without her knowing the reasoning behind it. Oh well. She was pretty certain she'd be finding out after lunch.
