Page 13 of Match Point in Crumbleton
‘Why do you think I’m down here with you guys instead of back up there!’ said Cath with a sheepish smile.
‘Well, if there’s anything we can do…’ said Andy.
‘Actually, I wanted to ask—what’s with all the old tennis gear?’ said Cath. ‘Any ideas? I found the remains of some kind of display… and there was that old racket outside too. Crumbleton’s on a hill. Is there even a tennis court here?’
Andy nodded, doing his best to surreptitiously brush fruit slice crumbs from the front of his overalls as he did so. ‘Yep. At least, there used to be... down at the Dolphin and Anchor. The place didn’t start life as a hotel, believe it or not. It used to be the headquarters of the Crumbleton on the Hill Lawn Tennis Club.’
‘You’re kidding?’ said Cath.
‘This place always had ideas above its station,’ laughed Heather.
‘But… where was the court?’ said Cath.
‘It’s around the back,’ said Andy. ‘You wouldn’t know that’s what it used to be. It’s a slightly overgrown bit of garden now—which is my fault because I need to get down there and put the mower around. They use it for wedding photos now, but there used to be a pristine grass court. Apparently, they served strawberries and cream on a covered terrace after every game.’
‘That fell down ages ago,’ said Heather.
‘Sounds wonderful,’ said Cath.
‘There was a members bar too, and changing rooms and everything,’ said Andy. ‘Apparently, it was all very grand.’
‘But… it’s not there anymore?’ said Cath. ‘I mean, no one plays tennis down there these days?’
‘Nah, not for ages,’ said Andy. ‘Of course, Heather might remember it. She’s a lot more ancient than I am.’
‘Oi, you cheeky blighter!’ said Heather, leaning forward to poke him in the stomach. ‘Less of that cheek or your cake supply’s cut off!’
Andy grinned at her.
‘Seriously Cath, don’t believe a word out of his mouth. I’m three years older than him… and he’s a bloomin’ spring chicken. For the record, the tennis club has been closed for years. And when I say years, I mean decades!’
‘That seems like a shame,’ said Cath.
‘It was all well and good when they were playing using the old wooden rackets,’ said Andy, ‘but the minute things started to get a bit more high tech and the balls could be walloped faster and further, there were a lot of complaints from the neighbours about broken windows. It didn’t take long for the place to close down after that. Then Fergus bought the building and turned it into what it is today.’
‘Must have been about thirty or forty years ago,’ said Heather. ‘Obviously, the building itself is even older and predates the tennis club. It was built by some crazy dude who liked playing snooker.’
‘Crazy in what way?’ said Cath, cocking her head at Andy in a way that made him feel strangely breathless. It was only Heather’s knowing look that loosened his tongue. He could really do without his sister ribbing him about Cath. The poor woman had only just arrived in town!
‘To be fair,’ said Andy, ‘I think the jury’s out as to whether Sir Anthony Cheswell was nuts or a genius.’
‘Oh come on!’ said Heather. ‘The guy spent years trying to persuade everyone that Crumbleton should be a city. On top of that, he had some insane plan to install a railway so that people wouldn’t have to walk up the hill.’
‘Well, there have definitely been days when I wouldn’t have minded a lift from the City Gates up to the top,’ said Andy.
‘So call Brian and catch a taxi,’ said Heather, rolling her eyes.
‘But… nothing ever came of it?’ said Cath. ‘The railway, I mean?’
‘Nah,’ said Andy, shaking his head, ‘just like most of his ideas. He was the one who established the museum though, and he installed the bells in the castle tower too.’
‘There are bells up there?’ said Cath. ‘I don’t think I’ve heard them yet!’
‘Well no, you probably wouldn’t have,’ said Heather, ‘they’re not exactly "magnificent" like the tourist guidebook claims. They just make a bit of a dull thunk… but you’re lucky if they do it the right number of times—’
‘Or anywhere near the hour,’ said Andy. ‘I like them, though. They’re part of Crumbleton’s charm.’
‘You would say that,’ said Heather. ‘I guess that’s because you’re part of Crumbleton’s charm too!’
