Page 67 of Christmas at the Movies
Sarah swung by Valley Vistas to pick up her mother. Geraldine was waiting for her outside. Nick jumped out of the back and helped his grandmother into the passenger seat.
‘It’s OK, I can manage,’ said Geraldine. ‘No need to fuss.’ But Sarah noticed how she clung to Nick’s arm as she lowered herself into the car.Age catches up with all of
us,thought Sarah. Even her mother, who had travelled the world on her own doing anthropological research. She’d been doing so well until Long Covid had slowed her down, sapping her energy. It just went to show that you had to live your life to the fullest while you could. Even HRT couldn’t turn the clock back.
‘Sorry I’m a bit late, Mum,’ Sarah said. ‘I was working on the screenplay.’
‘That’s quite all right,’ said Geraldine cheerfully. ‘I’m glad to see you using your brain again.’
Sarah bristled at her mother’s implied criticism. ‘Yeah, yeah, I know you think I’ve been wasting my life here in Plumdale,’ she said defensively. She knew she sounded as snippy as Holly. Did all grown women revert back into a stroppy teenager when talking to their mum?
‘I didn’t say that,’ Geraldine scolded her. ‘You’re putting words in my mouth. I’m just glad you’re writing again because I know it makes you happy. It always has – you loved writing stories as a little girl.’
Mollified, Sarah started to drive to the cinema. Geraldine took something out of her bag – some sort of poster.
‘What’s that?’ asked Sarah.
‘I’ve decided to organise a lecture and discussion series at Valley Vistas. I’m giving the first talk – it’s on the role of grandparents in different cultures. I was hoping I could hang the schedule up on the cinema noticeboard.’
‘Of course you can,’ said Sarah. ‘I think that’s wonderful.’
‘It was Roger from the cinema who suggested it,’ said Geraldine. ‘After the Golden Oldies screening, Pam insisted that I join them. They seem to have appointed her as my unofficial welcoming committee.’
Sarah was delighted that Roger and Pam had succeeded where she had failed. She had been suggesting for weeksthat Geraldine engage with the local community. ‘I’m glad you’re making friends.’
‘Well, I wouldn’t go that far.’ Geraldine sniffed. ‘But I suppose it’s better than sitting around on my own doing crossword puzzles.’
Sarah rolled her eyes.
When they arrived at the cinema, the lobby was packed with people.
‘You made it!’ exclaimed James, sounding relieved. He kissed her on the cheek.
‘Of course,’ said Sarah. She’d never missed a Christmas film-festival screening.
James took his mother-in-law by the arm. ‘Let’s find you a seat, Geraldine.’
‘Sarah!’ called a woman in her mid-fifties, waving madly. She had long, wavy auburn hair streaked with grey and wore a vintage-style dress.
‘Hello, Nora,’ said Sarah, giving her old friend a hug.
‘I hear you’re working on the movie that our friend Mateo is starring in,’ said Nora.
‘Word travels fast,’ commented Sarah.
The American actor had worked in a pub in Stowford before he became famous. He and his wife, Sam, were good friends of the Waldens. They were how Pari had ended up representing him – they’d put in a good word when Mateo’s old agent retired.
‘Sam is delighted that he’s filming locally over the holidays,’ said Nora. ‘So he can spend more time with her and the little ones.’
‘Be sure to tell her about our Baby and Me screenings,’ said Sarah.
‘I will,’ promised Nora.
Simon came over holding two steaming cups of hotchocolate. He handed one to Nora. ‘I can’t believe the film festival is still going strong. How many years has it been?’
‘Fourteen,’ said Sarah. She pulled Nick, who was standing around awkwardly, over to her and tousled his hair. ‘It’s been around longer than this guy.’
Nora smiled warmly at Nick. ‘We’ve had to make the manga section even bigger, Nick. It’s so popular these days.’
