Page 106 of Christmas at the Movies
‘Remember, I’m always here for you, Holly. You can talk to me about anything.’
‘Thanks, Mum,’ said Holly, sitting up to give her a hug. ‘I love you.’
‘I love you too,’ said Mum, squeezing her tightly. ‘So did your birthday have a happy ending after all?’
Holly grinned. ‘Best. Birthday. Ever!’
Chapter 11
Present Day
On the morning of Christmas Eve, James’s legs pumped up and down as he cycled down the country lane, his breath clouding in the cold air. The fields and branches overhead were covered with a thick hoar frost. Things at home were even frostier. He and Sarah had barely spoken since their big argument. At least she’d come to the penultimate film festival screening ofAn Affair to Remember.He’d chosen it to remind her of the day he proposed.
She probably regretted saying yes.
I messed up … I messed up … I messed up, he chanted in his head as he pushed himself to go faster, the pain in his thigh muscles like a punishment for his churlish behaviour.
He’d let his irritation with the film crew and jealousy of Noa get the best of him. And he’d been hurt that Sarah hadn’t told him about the offer. Instead of asking her about it calmly, he’d lashed out, belittling her talent. He would do anything to take back what he said. Her resentful words had been playing in a loop in his mind:The cinema always comes first with you.
He was horrified that Sarah believed that. Nothing could be further from the truth. Yes, he loved the cinema. It was a community, a family, where people came together to enjoy stories from all over the world. But nothing was more important than hisactualfamily. He’d been so busytrying to keep the cinema afloat that he hadn’t even noticed how frustrated and resentful she was.
He’d thought they were happy here in Plumdale, but owning a cinema had beenhisdream; Sarah had gone along with it because she loved him. Somewhere along the way, her own ambitions, of being a writer, had been sacrificed to family life. It clearly wasn’t enough for her any more.
James knew what he had to do. If Sarah wanted to go to Los Angeles, he would go with her. Or let her go on her own. They could sell the cinema to the Valley Vista people.Thatwas the grand romantic gesture he needed to make – not showing her old movies as a trip down memory lane. They needed to look to the future, not the past. He’d had his shot – Sarah was long overdue hers. And he wasn’t going to stand in her way.
Whatever she wants to do, I’ll support her.
James’s legs pumped the pedals vigorously, his conviction growing with every turn of the wheels. Sure, he’d miss the cinema, but he’d find something else to do. He was still young (ish) and healthy. He wasn’t ready to retire, nor could he afford to. Perhaps he could go back to engineering – he still had some contacts in the business. Alternatively, he could retrain to become a teacher; Holly always said he was good at explaining science.
James cycled hard towards home, filled with resolve. He was going to show Sarah that she came first in his heart, no matter what, no matter where. He’d go along with whatever she wanted to do. He wasn’t sure where the road ahead would take him, but as long as she was by his side he knew it would be fine.
When James came into the kitchen, Nick was at the table wrapping presents in shiny red paper. Jonesy was playingwith a piece of gold ribbon that had fallen on the floor, rolling around with his ‘prey’ in his paws.
‘Don’t peek!’ said Nick, shielding the item he was wrapping.
James covered his eyes obediently.
‘OK, you can look now,’ Nick said a moment later.
It was just the two of them – and Jonesy – at home. Sarah and Holly were at the cinema, as there was a big outdoor scene filming in the village square today. The film crew had promised to be finished by eight, so the last film-festival screening could go ahead at nine. It was the only movie being shown today, so James had had the day off. He decided to get a head start on tomorrow’s dinner so they could have a lie-in on Christmas morning – they all needed it after the past month.
Putting on an apron, he peeled potatoes, parsnips and carrots, and left them soaking in pans of cold water. Then he fried sausage meat, onions, breadcrumbs and sage, and other seasonings, using his mother’s recipe. The herby aroma of the sizzling stuffing took him straight back to childhood. His mum would sing along to festive songs on the radio and sip a glass of sherry as she cooked their Christmas dinner.
Emotion overcame him as he remembered his parents. They’d both been gone for years, but he still missed them – especially around the holidays.
‘What’s wrong, Dad?’ asked Nick, looking up from his wrapping. His worried expression, with the crease between his eyes, reminded James of Sarah.
James wiped his eyes with the bottom of the apron. ‘Oh, it’s just the onions making my eyes water.’
‘Tell me the truth, Dad,’ said Nick. ‘Are you upset because Mum is sick?’
James looked at his son in surprise. ‘No … Whatever gave you that idea?’
‘So she’s not going to die?’
‘Well, she will, some day. Hopefully not for a very long time.’ James gave the stuffing another stir. ‘I was thinking of my own mum and dad – I always miss them at Christmastime.’
Nick came over and gave him a tight hug.
