Fannie was ditched for another woman in the biggest mixed pair event
of the year. She had to get even with Boles, and there he was,
sitting West, and she, his new partner, East! Should Fannie bid 2 or
something else?

 South Fannie
   A Q 9
   A Q
   K 6 3
   10 9 8 6 5

This was not a time to fool around with a weak club suit, so Fannie
bid 3NT, ending the auction. Boles led the 5 of spades. On the 10,
East played the 3. How should Fannie play it?

 South Fannie
   A Q 9
   A Q
   K 6 3
   10 9 8 6 5

Opening lead: 5

Fannie wanted desperately to overtake the 10 of spades with her
queen, to make it look like she held A-Q doubleton (so if Boles
gained the lead he would play another spade). But Fannie was more
concerned with making her contract. If the queen of clubs were with
Boles, she was cold by leading the 10 of clubs for a finesse. But
suppose East held the queen, and played back a spade, and West
started with five spades to the king and the ace of clubs?

Fannie's mind worked fast. She let the 10 of spades win the trick and
called as nonchalantly as she could for a small club. Boles'
partner played low! This was the whole hand:

 South Fannie
   A Q 9
   A Q
   K 6 3
   10 9 8 6 5

Fannie's 10 of clubs forced Boles' ace. He returned a heart, but
Fannie won in hand, unblocked her other heart and led a club to the
king. The queen fell. She now had two spades, three hearts, two
diamonds and four clubs, 11 tricks.

My dear Fannie, said Boles. I see you haven't lost your touch.
You think so? said Fannie. Watch further. She now proceeded to
cash the jack of clubs, ace of spades, and her remaining two clubs,
squeezing East in the red suits for her twelfth trick. She came down
to the queen of spades and K-6-3 of diamonds facing the A-10 of
diamonds and the K-7 of hearts. East had no answer.

I would have preferred to squeeze you, said Fannie later at the coffee bar.
I would have preferred it, too, said Boles. Are you booked for the
Winter regional? But keep it a secret, please.

I'll think about it, said Fannie. I love you, I always will, but
your failure to switch to diamonds, breaking up the squeeze, really
makes me ill.

THE END

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 South Fannie
   A Q 9
   A Q
   K 6 3
   10 9 8 6 5

South — 3NT

West — all pass

North 1

East pass

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