Page 74 of Christmas at the Movies
‘Omar sought asylum Paris in his twenties because it’s illegal to be gay in Morocco,’ explained Roger. ‘He hated leaving his family, but it wasn’t safe for him there.’
James knew how important the charity in Calais was to Roger. They always supported it on Christmas Eve, the final night of the film festival, when they usually raised hundreds for the cause. It had always seemed fitting. After all – Mary and Joseph were refugees, too, when they fled to Bethlehem to escape Herod.
‘I can’t knit,’ said Geraldine. ‘But maybe we could hold a coffee morning at Valley Vistas to support the charity?’
‘Oh, that’s a wonderful idea.’ Roger beamed gratefully.
James smiled to himself. His mother-in-law would be in her element, organising her new friends. He suddenly remembered why he’d come over in the first place.
‘Did Sarah drive you here?’ he asked his mother-in-law.
‘No, we all got a lift in the Valley Vistas minibus,’ said Geraldine.
James hoped Sarah hadn’t forgotten about the screening. His grand romantic gesture would be futile if she didn’t see all the movies.
Fortunately, just before the film started, Sarah hurried into the auditorium. ‘Sorry I’m late,’ she whispered, sitting down next to James in the seat he’d saved for her. ‘I was reworking a tricky scene.’
When Hugh Grant’s voiceover began over the opening scene ofLove, Actually, Sarah gave a little squeal of delight. James smiled in the dark, gratified that he’d pleased her.
After the movie finished, people milled around the lobby drinking hot chocolate and chatting about the film and their plans for the holidays. Aaron and Holly passed through the crowd, wearing Santa hats and holding charity donation buckets for tonight’s charity, which provided respite care to families with very sick children.
James spotted Ian talking animatedly to Hermione from the candle shop. He and Sarah went over to join them.
‘I know it’s a bit dated,’ Hermione was saying to Ian, ‘but I do love that movie. It’s so romantic. It almost made me believe in love again.’
‘It’s a bit silly, though,’ said Ian. ‘And are we supposed to believe that Italian gal falls in love with Colin Firth even though he can’t speak a word of Italian?’
‘Well …’ said Sarah and Hermione at the same time. And then they both burst out laughing.
‘I mean, it’s Colin Firth,’ said Sarah. ‘Mr Darcy himself.’
Ian caught James’ eye and they both shook their heads in despair as the wosmen giggled.
‘Anyway, did the movie help you find your Christmas spirit?’ Ian asked Hermione.
Hermione pursed her lips. ‘Well, I suppose I’m starting to feel abitChristmassy …’
‘Let me get you a glass of mulled wine,’ said Ian. ‘That should do the trick.’
Putting his arm around her, Ian steered Hermione through the crowd over to the refreshment stand.
James nudged Sarah. ‘I think love might be in the air,’ he murmured. Listening to Ian and Hermione talk about the movie reminded him of the first time he and Sarah had met. Sparks had flown as they’d discussed the film they’d just seen. By the end of that night, he’d been head over heels in love. So maybeLove, Actuallywasn’t so silly after all.
As he watched Ian hand Hermione a glass of mulled wine, James remembered that exhilarating first flush of love. The heady passion he and Sarah had felt back then. What they had now was a different sort of love – more worn in, like a comfortable pair of jeans.
A very frayed pair of jeans, with more than a few holes in the fabric.
Just then, Aaron whistled to get everyone’s attention. ‘Tonight we’re raising money for a really important cause. If everyone digs deep and donates as much as they can afford, Holly says she’ll sing for us.’
Holly blushed, but she looked pleased as people came forward to put money in her bucket.
‘Go, Holly!’ called Ian, raising his glass of mulled wine.
‘Holly! Holly!’ chanted the crowd.
Holly held up her hand for silence and a hush fell over the lobby. Taking a deep breath, she launched into a solorendition of ‘All I Want for Christmas is You’, which had featured in the movie they’d just watched. As her powerful voice rang out across the lobby, James got goosebumps.
‘That’s our girl,’ Sarah whispered in James’s ear as Holly hit the final high notes.
