Ah sweet dreams

You awaken the next morning feeling quite sore, its been almost 24 hours and the legs session is well and truly kicking in even though you giggled your way through it you still worked quite hard. Unfortunately though, training this morning is not going to be something you can just giggle through.

It’s an uncomfortable walk down but everyone makes it on time. For the first time ever, you notice Miss Simmons is not only on time but actually has something to say.

“So last time I spoke to all of you, you mentioned that you might like a trial match against another university to see where you are at. So next weekend you will play the ladies team from UTEC. I’m told they are slightly stronger than last year so Rebecca I think it’s imperative that the team is not late to training nor do they leave early due to a lack of fitness.”

She makes it very clear that she is aiming this at you and Scarlett, irrespective of the actual situation last week. It puts a slight damper on the mornings training, but you notice Bec isn’t moving all that well either, so she keeps the session pretty light. Afterwards she calls you all in to have a chat.

“So ladies the UTEC girls weren’t pushovers last year and if their team is stronger this year they should be a decent challenge.”

“Ah don’t be worried last year I took their number two to three sets, and now I'm our number 4 we should be fine.” A very confident Flick chimes in.

“Hmm maybe, we aren’t going to go into the day overconfident. I think maybe we need a special training session just to motivate us this Saturday, I wonder who I could get to take the session just as a once off-” Bec trails off as Flick comes in over the top of her

“Oh fuck no bitch last time you got someone in we actually died, literally the entire team had heatstroke and we got railed the next week by a team we actually could have beaten.”

“Hmm yeah that’s true,” She muses to herself. “Well newbies you guys have any ideas?”

Scarlett snaps out of whatever daydream she’s having, “Oh, uhh I'm from Gin Gin, I know nobody here, so I'm of no use.” She’d been acting oddly all morning, like she had her mind on something else, which was rare for Scarlett but it might have just been an assignment.

Everyone looks at you expectantly. “Uhh well I guess I could see if my old coach is free?”

“Who’s your coach?” Bec looks at you like she’s about to judge whatever comes out of your mouth.

“A guy named Sam Phillips, it's been a while since I called him by his full name. He was pretty good. One of these days I'll beat him though.”

There’s a silence after you say that both Bec and Scarlett are staring at you. “Really Sam Phillips? You know he used to be top 100 right? What’s he like mid 30s now?” Bec asks.

“Top 100 till he did his shoulder and yeah he’d be about 35.” Scarlett chimes in.

“Oh, I had no idea haha, that explains why his serve is so slow. I figured he was alright but never that good and yeah I think he turned 35 the other week.”

Bec’s eyes light up like a Christmas tree. “Holy crap call him and see if he can come and do a training session on Saturday.”

“Alright I’ll do it. Don’t get pushy,” you tell your captain off whilst pulling out your phone and hitting the dial button.

“Hello?”

“Hey Sam, its Isabel, sorry I haven’t called in a while.”

“Oh Isabel, how’s uni life treating you?”

“It’s good, joined the tennis team and I'm wondering if I can get a favour, for old times sake.”

“Haha I’ve lost count of how many favours you owe me at this point but sure what can I do?”

“Well we don’t really have a coach and the girls are wondering if you were free this Saturday morning to run a training session just as something different?”

“Oh man, an early favour on a Saturday morning…”

“Yeah, I know its not ideal.”

“You are lucky you were always one of my favourites, but you are gonna owe me for this one, maybe if you girls all say I did a fantastic job and I end up with a nice cushy job as a uni tennis coach and just run my business on the side.”

“Haha I suppose we can do our best, I think the lady you will be trying to impress is the manager, shes a bit scary but I'm sure you will be fine.”

“Ill have to bring my A game then won't I? Either way I guess I can do it? When do you want to start?”

“8:30?”

“8:30am on a Saturday morning, you better not forget how nice I am.”

“Thanks Sam, see you this weekend.”

He says bye and you end the call. Bec who was virtually standing on your shoulder the entire time looks amazed.

“Wow he’s actually coming, I can’t wait for Saturday. Nice work Isabel.” She smiles and walks off.

The rest of the group are all smiles as well, keen to have a coach for a change and it looks like Flick is just keen to not have to listen to Bec for a morning. Either way things seem to be going well as everyone gets their things to leave.

Scarlett turns to you with a bit of a blush on her face and a cute smile. She drops her voice a little so there’s no chance of the others hearing. “See you tonight Issy. My room 7:00pm'”