Diane stood in front of the mirror in her bedroom, brushing her hair. She’d had it cut the day before and it was looking exactly how she wanted it: not overly blow-dried, but still elegantly styled.

She put down the brush and inspected her face. A little mascara and a light layer of lip gloss were what she needed, nothing more.

As she was applying the make-up Tamsin came to stand behind her and put her arms around Diane’s waist. “You look gorgeous,” she said, before kissing Diane’s neck. “I don’t think we can go out; you look way too ravishing to not take advantage of.”

Tamsin’s kisses were igniting a fire in Diane’s belly. She had clearly figured out Diane’s most sensitive spots by now. Diane looked at Tamsin’s reflection in the mirror. “Stop it right now, or we really won’t make it out.” She tried to extricate herself from Tamsin’s arms, but Tamsin only pulled her closer.

She stopped her kisses and looked into Diane’s eyes in the reflection of the mirror. “I’m very proud of you for doing this.”

“I know,” Diane said. “I’m quite proud of myself. Or at least I will be, once this whole ordeal is over.” An inkling of doubt started creeping into her mind. She knew she was about to do what needed to be done, but it was still daunting.

Diane and Tamsin had decided that the prize-giving ceremony for the Captain’s Prize would be the perfect opportunity for them to come out as a couple. It was one of the season’s most popular competitions and most members of the club would be present. Anyone who hadn’t yet heard the rumours, would know about them after tonight and everything would be out in the open.

“I’m sure it won’t be as much of an ordeal as you think.” Tamsin put her hands on Diane’s shoulders and swivelled her around so she faced her. “Isabelle will be there to support you, and Lawrence as well.” She bowed her head slightly until her forehead touched Diane’s. “Most importantly, I’ll be there, right next to you.”

The doubts Diane had experienced faded away into the background at the touch of Tamsin’s skin against hers. They would get through this together.

Tamsin moved her head back and straightened her spine. “I’ve heard this helps to give you confidence before a momentous occasion.” She put her hands on her hips, moved her shoulders back and her chest forward.

Diane giggled. “The superhero pose? Is it working?”

“Try it,” Tamsin encouraged her.

Diane mimicked Tamsin’s pose, closing her eyes, taking in a deep breath and releasing it slowly. “I feel empowered already,” she joked.

They stood like that for a few seconds. Diane had to admit she did feel more confidence building within her. She opened her eyes to find Tamsin looking at her. Her gaze was full of love.

“You look phenomenal. Like nothing or no one can stop you.” She took Diane’s hands in hers. “Ready?”

Diane nodded. “Ready.”

The drive from Diane’s house to the club had been mostly silent. Diane was lost in thought, imagining the possible scenarios that could play out when people at the very traditional Royal Tynebury Golf Club realised one of their oldest members was now in a same-sex relationship. She was sure some of them would be happy, and some would disapprove, but she found that the more she thought about it, the less other people’s opinions seemed to matter.

She glanced sideways at Tamsin, who was manoeuvring the car through the narrow gate of the club grounds. She was what mattered to Diane now. And the love they had discovered between them.

The car park was almost full and Tamsin parked the car in the closest spot she could find to the clubhouse. They both stepped out of the car and started walking up the tree-lined driveway towards the entrance to the clubhouse. The weather had finally cleared after a week of almost constant rain so they didn’t need to bother with umbrellas.

Diane’s hand brushed lightly against Tamsin’s. Diane felt Tamsin start to grip her hand, but then release it almost immediately. She was clearly leaving it up to Diane how they would present themselves to the people they were about to face.

Diane, in turn, took hold of Tamsin’s hand and intertwined their fingers. She looked at Tamsin and gave her a smile. “Better to show than tell.” She lifted their hands and placed a kiss on the back of Tamsin’s.

As they stepped through the automatic doors of the clubhouse, the first person they encountered was Barbara, who was hanging her coat in the cloakroom. Diane gripped Tamsin’s hand a little tighter. This was it. Their first introduction as a couple.

“Hello Diane,” she said. “And Tamsin, lovely to see you.” She gave them both a kiss on the cheek. “How are you both?” As she said this, her glance dropped down and she saw their hands.

Her forehead creased into a frown and she looked back up at Diane. “Er, what’s this then?” Her tone was not accusatory, merely inquisitive.

Diane smiled at her. “Tamsin and I… well, we’ve been seeing each other for a little while now.”

Barbara’s face turned from frowning to slightly bewildered. “Seeing each other,” she said. She looked back down at their hands and then up again at both their faces. “Well, that’s, er—”

“Darlings,” Isabelle’s voice boomed from behind Diane.

Diane turned around and greeted her friend with a kiss on both cheeks.

Isabelle pushed herself in between Diane and Tamsin and wrapped her arms around both their shoulders, all three of them facing Barbara now.

“Barbara,” she said with amusement in her voice, “you look a bit overwhelmed. Don’t tell me it’s because of these two being an item.”

“N—no, w—well, er, I’m not,” Barbara stuttered.

Diane felt a bit sorry for her. “It’s all right to be shocked, Barbara. I understand this must be quite unexpected for you. Trust me, it was a revelation to me as well.” She saw how Barbara’s face started to settle back into its normal expression.

“Please excuse my reaction, Diane,” Barbara said. “You took me by surprise, that’s all. I am, of course, delighted for you.” She even gave a small smile, which was quite unusual for her.

Isabelle started to nudge Diane and Tamsin towards the door that led into the function area. “We’ll talk to you later, Babs,” she said. “These two ladies have a lot more people to speak to.” She stopped their movement and turned her head towards Barbara again. “And Barbara, if Diane can catch a hot young lady like Tamsin, maybe there’s one out there for you too.” She gave a cackle and promptly walked them into the bar before Diane could see Barbara’s reaction to Isabelle’s jibe. Diane was pretty sure she would not be amused.

“I think I need a drink,” Diane said when they were inside the bar.

Isabelle finally let her arms fall from Diane’s and Tamsin’s shoulders. “Let me get them, dear. Gin and tonic?”

Diane nodded.

“White wine for me,” Tamsin said when Isabelle looked at her.

As Isabelle walked over to the bar to order the drinks, Diane scanned the large crowd that had already gathered. She knew most of the people who were there. She thought she detected some strange looks, but mostly people just acknowledged her presence with a small nod or smile.

Maggie was in conversation with the president but was clearly not that enthralled by what he had to say. Diane saw her look around, probably for an excuse to extricate herself. When she spotted Diane, she gave her a small wave. She said something to the president and then immediately came over to Diane and Tamsin.

Tamsin had taken hold of Diane’s hand again and was softly caressing it with her thumb. She leaned over to Diane’s ear and whispered, “You’re doing great.”

Maggie greeted them both warmly. “I heard a rumour the other day, and now I can see that, unlike most of the gossip that circulates around here, it was based on fact.” She held up her hands to her face in a gesture of surprise—or was it delight? “This is great news,” she exclaimed. “We’ve all been hoping you would find someone new to share your life with, Diane. And now look at you. You’re singlehandedly dashing the hopes of all the club’s bachelors.” She addressed Tamsin now. “I’ve heard a few of them proclaim they were planning on asking you out.” She laughed. “I’ll look forward to their reactions this evening when they see you two.”

Diane could hug her friend for being so supportive. “Thank you, Maggie.”

Isabelle arrived, carrying their drinks. “Word of warning, my dears, you’re the talk of the evening.” She nodded her head back towards the bar. “At least three people accosted me while I was waiting to be served, asking if it was true.”

Diane felt a small pang of anxiety. “What did you tell them?”

“I said it was true, and if they had a problem with it, they would have to deal with me.” Isabelle gave her a wicked grin.

“I knew I could count on you,” Diane said.

As she looked at her friend, Diane saw someone was waving at her from a few feet behind Isabelle. Lawrence. He was smiling widely at her and gave her a thumbs up.

Diane mouthed “Thank you,” at him.

He gave a small nod and turned back to the person he was talking with. Diane saw Debbie standing beside Lawrence, looking at her. She too smiled at Diane, and for the first time it looked like a genuine sign of friendliness. Diane doubted they would ever be friends, but maybe a more amiable entente with her ex’s new wife could be a positive consequence of her relationship with Tamsin.

Tamsin was in conversation with Isabelle and Maggie about how difficult the rough was these days and as Diane looked at her, listening intently and engaging with her friends so easily, she was overwhelmed with a sense of peace and wellbeing.

Everything would be all right.