Carefree, wherever they may be

Will Cockerell writes:  In 1995, the Melbourne public viewed Andre Agassi, never before viewed on their shores, with all the curious wonder as you would a “duck-billed platypus plunked in your bathtub”.  The same perhaps might be said of the inimitable presence of the Whitehouses on the UK backgammon scene in the past few years.  Instantly upon viewing, you feel better about your day, with their reassuring, friendly presence, kaleidoscope of colour, unscripted and unplanned therapy sessions [for me at least], and plenty of laughs.  In one somewhat fraught match with Rosemary she steeled those piercing glims on me and said, as only a mother could to a child, “we’re in the lucky lucky loser loser and playing for about 5 pounds, just enjoy it…”  It was the pep talk I need, and I instantly relaxed.

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