Chapter 2
Practice Makes Perfect
The next morning, Charlotte arrived early at the village green, determined to prove herself. Alexander was already there, juggling a cricket ball between his hands with that same confident grin.
“Morning, Charlotte,” he said, tossing the ball gently toward her. “Ready to ruin your first impression?”
She laughed, catching it with ease. “You wish. I’m here to improve my game, not make mistakes.”
They spent the next hour practising—batting, bowling, fielding—Alexander offering tips without ever being condescending.
“You’re too stiff at the crease,” he said, adjusting her stance. “Relax. Imagine the ball is nothing more than a friendly old friend you’re inviting to tea.”
Charlotte couldn’t help but laugh. “Inviting the ball to tea? That’s the most ridiculous advice I’ve ever heard.”
“And the most effective,” Alexander replied with a wink. On her next swing, Charlotte hit the ball cleanly down the pitch, and a cheer escaped her.
“See? Told you,” he said, clapping. “You’ve got talent. You just needed a little… encouragement.”
As the sun climbed higher, they took a break, sitting side by side on the grass. Charlotte noticed how natural it felt to be with him—how easy it was to laugh and talk without worrying about anything else.
“So,” she said, nudging him playfully, “do you always teach new players with ridiculous metaphors?”
“Only the promising ones,” Alexander said, leaning back on his hands. “You’re definitely promising, Charlotte.”
Her cheeks flushed again, but she smiled. Maybe cricket wasn’t just about the game. Maybe it was about the connection that grew between two people, one practice session at a time.