Chapter 27

Six years ago

Nothing could have surprised Olivia Billington more than to learn that she had been allotted to share a room with Roberta at the summer camp. The Tennis Club had rented a whole house on a time-share basis on the foreshore at Somerton for the week, during which there would be rigorous training sessions. Roberta Davis, a woman of thirty-seven and former champion, was the team coach. Olivia watched her now coming off the tennis court, having won yet another match 6-3, 4-6, 7-5.

Nineteen year old Olivia had always been in awe of Roberta. Often she had stood still, staring at the older woman as though fascinated. She's as far above me as the stars, thought Olivia. She's all I would most like to be. Olivia's mind was constantly reverting to her. Striking-looking, tall and finely built, she might have stood as a model for a Juno. Her long red hair glowing in the sunlight.