Golf Match

By Chris Towndrow

Matt loved his aged VW Golf, but four years ago he had to choose between the car and a girl.
So he sold the car... and then lost the girl.

One day he spies what seems to be the same car on a local street.
When he prangs his own car, while trying to ogle the Golf and its new female owner, the accident becomes a catalyst for a meeting of souls.
But what is Matt really after—a shot at romance with Sara, or just rekindling his love affair with the car?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Chris Towndrow
• Release date: May 3, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005107970

Chris Towndrow

Chris Towndrow has been a writer since 1991.He began writing science fiction, inspired by Asimov, Iain M Banks, and numerous film and TV canons. After a few years creating screenplays across several genres, in 2004 he branched out into playwriting and has had several productions professionally performed. This background is instrumental in his ability to produce realistic, compelling dialogue in his books.His first published novel was 2012’s far-future, post-war space opera “Sacred Ground”. He then changed focus into Earth-centric, near-future sci-fi adventures, and the Enna Dacourt pentalogy was completed in 2023. In a similar vein, “Nuclear Family” was a venture into post-apocalyptic fiction.He has always drawn inspiration from the big screen, and 2019’s quirky romantic black comedy “Tow Away Zone” owes much to the films of the Coen Brothers. This spawned two sequels in what became the “Sunrise trilogy”.His first historical fiction novel, “Signs Of Life”, was published by Valericain Press in 2023. With a number of excellent reviews, this Western romance has been his most popular title.In 2023, Chris returned to his passion for writing accessible humour and will devote his efforts to romantic comedies. Three such scripts are currently in development.Chris lives on the outskirts of London with his family and works as a video editor and producer. He is a member of the UK Society of Authors.

Book preview

Golf Match

Golf Match

A short romantic story

Chris Towndrow

© 2023 Valericain Press

Matt’s head throbbed. It wasn’t debilitating; more like the background rumble from the engines of a cross-channel ferry. He didn’t feel seasick, though, which was a good thing—Monday mornings are no respecter of the activities of a Sunday… or even a Saturday.

He girded his loins, threw back the covers and padded to the bathroom.

The shower made him feel better, and a strong coffee with breakfast gave his fuzzy head a further boost.

As he sat on the sofa, TV murmuring away in the background, spooning questionably nutritious cereal into his throat, his mobile phone buzzed. He thumbed open the text.

You taking a duvet day too?

Matt sighed. If only he had Jon’s wilful disregard for the demands of work.

He texted back, I wish. Deadline tomorrow.

The phone booped again. Next time, count me out.

It was your idea.

I’m too young to feel this old.

Matt slurped down the rest of the cereal and tapped a reply. I’m too out of practice.

The ellipsis pulsed. Got to be in it to win it.

Echoes of flashing lights and throbbing beats skipped through Matt’s mind. Ringing ears, overpriced drinks and the wee small hours—were they really the passport to true love? There was always going to be a day which waved a red card bearing the legend Not doing that again. Was today that day? Or was it merely a yellow card, reminding him there were other ways to seek out romance besides trying to recapture his clubbing days of a decade or more ago?

Breakfast TV chimed the eight o’clock news. It was already later than it should be.

He hurriedly typed, Won nothing but a day-long hangover. Going to work. Speak later.

He gathered his stuff together and headed out to the car.

The late May morning was bright and warm, and his suburban street was smattered with the sounds of front doors, car engines, and children being corralled towards school.

He slid the key into the ignition barrel of the fifteen-year-old Clio 182, took an anticipatory breath, and turned the key. The engine lit into