Page 43 of Christmas at the Movies
I should have let her go to the audition, thought Sarah. She’d always known her daughter was talented, but seeing her in action had made her realise how much she’d matured as a performer. As she’d watched her belting out Disney songs, Sarah had seen how much her daughter loved entertaining. Howaliveshe was when she was on stage.
As she drove through the countryside, past quaint country pubs advertising Christmas dinners and pretty stone cottages decked out with fairy lights and wreaths, Sarah started to calm down. James’s concern had made her fly off the handle because he’d triggered her deepest fear – that she was getting ill again. That it wasn’t just the cinema and family worries and creative frustration causing her low mood.
I can’t go crazy again,thought Sarah.Too many people rely on me.
A few flakes of snow drifted through the air as Sarah pulled into the car park at the back of the cinema.
Tonight’s World Film Club screening wasFanny and Alexander, Ingmar Bergman’s semi-autobiographical masterpiece. But would anyone venture out into the cold to watch a long and challenging Swedish movie?
Aaron was slumped behind the concession stand, scrolling through his phone. He quickly put it in his back pocket as Sarah came in. But he wasn’t able to hide the look of disappointment on his face that it was Sarah, rather than Holly, covering the night shift.
Sarah knew that her daughter had a crush on Aaron too. And she could see why – he was cute. But Holly was far too young – and ambitious – to get tied down to a local boy, even one as nice as Aaron.
‘Have we sold any tickets?’ Sarah asked him.
‘A few,’ he said.
Just then, the doors opened, sending an icy blast of air into the lobby.
‘You’re brave,’ said Sarah as Iris came into the lobby, brushing a few snowflakes off her black bob.
‘Oh, I’m excited about the snow,’ said Iris, pulling off her gloves. ‘I’ve never seen it before – except for in movies.’
‘No, I meant becauseFanny and Alexanderis three hours long,’ teased Sarah.
‘I just had to get out of the house. Henry has a cold, poor little guy. I’ve been cooped up with him at home all day. When my husband came home from school, I practically ran out of the door.’ She handed Sarah her credit card. ‘I should probably get a coffee to stay awake, not that it stopped me from dozing off last time.’
‘Wait a minute,’ said Sarah, something suddenly dawning on her as she looked at the name on Iris’s card. ‘Your husband is a teacher?’
‘Yes, he teaches maths at Severn Valley secondary.’
Sarah laughed as she began to make Iris’s latte. ‘Your husband is my son’s teacher. What a small world.’
Lowering her voice so that Aaron wouldn’t hear, Iris said, ‘By the way, I took your advice and went to the doctor. He diagnosed postnatal anxiety and recommended a local therapist.’
Sarah nodded sympathetically. She’d suspected as much. After having Nick, she’d suffered from severe postnatal anxiety, so she’d recognised the signs. She shuddered involuntarily, remembering those awful months.
James had been incredibly supportive once he’d realised she was unwell. Sarah felt a pang of guilt over their argument earlier. She probably shouldn’t have jumped down his throat when he suggested seeing the doctor.
‘It takes time to get better,’ she said, pouring milk over the espresso before handing it to Iris.
Iris added a packet of sugar to her coffee and gave it a stir. ‘I just feel ashamed that I’m struggling when everyone says that this first year with my baby should be magical.’
‘Your hormones are completely out of whack and you’ve just experienced two major life changes – having a baby and moving to a foreign country,’ said Sarah. ‘There’s no shame in seeking help. You need to stay healthy for Henry’s sake, and your own.’
Pot … kettle … black …thought Sarah. As Iris went into the auditorium, she resolved to make an appointment with her own GP.
Sarah helped Aaron tidy up the concession stand, then slipped into the back of the cinema to watch the movie. As the Swedish family on screen celebrated Christmas with a lavish feast and games, Sarah felt a spark of Christmas spirit flicker inside her. Perhaps she’d been wrong to considernot going ahead with the film festival. Christmas moviesdidbring a lot of joy.
Hours later, as the credits began to roll, Sarah got up and went into the lobby. During the film, a thick covering of snow had covered the village like icing on a Christmas cake. It looked beautiful, but the country lanes would be impassable until they’d been cleared by a snowplough.
Customers straggled out of the auditorium, blinking as they entered the light.
Sarah sent James a text message.Not safe to drive – staying at the cinema tonight.There was a sofa and blankets in the office, and she kept a toothbrush and a few other toiletries in a desk drawer. It wouldn’t be the first time she’d been stuck there overnight. Perhaps it wasn’t such a bad thing – after their argument, they both needed space to cool down.
‘Why don’t you head home,’ she told Aaron, who lived in the village. ‘I can close up on my own.’
‘Thanks,’ said Aaron. As he was about to go out of the door, he called over his shoulder, ‘Oh, and wish Holly a happy birthday from me tomorrow.’
