Chapter One
Nanna’s Note
‘Salute,’ said Sophie to her opponent. She raised her sword from where it rested on the ground and held it in front of her face, in a formal gesture, before dropping the blunt point to the ground.
‘Salute,’ replied Nanna, her brown eyes twinkling, as she returned the courtesy with her own foil. Both pulled on their mesh face masks.
Nanna was teaching Sophie fencing in her cottage garden in Kent. It was a glorious summer’s evening, the warm air scented with roses and elderflower.
‘En garde,’ said Nanna.
Sophie’s thighs burned as she dropped into the en garde position, with knees bent and back foot turned out, like a ballet dancer’s. Fencing was a vigorous sport and her muscles weren’t used to the movements yet.
‘Allez,’ said Nanna, signalling the start of the bout.
Nanna and Sophie fought back and forth, lunging and retreating with their foils. Sophie began to feel overwhelmed, trying to think of everything at once – her stance, her attack, her feet, her head, her hands.
Nanna lunged, touching Sophie on her padded jacket with the blunt tip of her foil. Sophie dropped her blade.
‘Just focus on one step at a time, Sophie,’ said Nanna, as though reading her mind. ‘Focus on the next touch, don’t get distracted by the whole bout.’
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