Page 75 of Christmas at the Movies
‘Bravo!’ cried a man in a cashmere coat, clapping his hands. He took out his wallet and stuffed a wad of bills into the donation bucket.
‘Noa!’ exclaimed Sarah. ‘What are you doing here?’
‘I’m guessing this talented young lady is your daughter,’ said the director. He was accompanied by his assistant, a young woman with trendy retro-style glasses and a very short fringe.
‘Yes, that’s Holly,’ said Sarah. ‘And this is my husband.’
The director gave James a dazzlingly white smile. If he hadn’t opted for a life behind the camera, Noa Drakos could have easily worked in front of it – he was ridiculously handsome.
James extended his hand to the director. ‘Nice to meet you.’
‘Hi, Jim.’ Noa shook James’s hand with a firm grip. ‘I’ve heard a lot about you.’
Jim?Clearly Noa hadn’t heardthatmuch about him. Nobody ever called him Jim.
‘Your wife is incredible,’ said Noa. His hand rested on Sarah’s back.
‘Yes, I know,’ replied James.
‘She’s been working miracles on my script.’
‘Oh, I’ve barely done anything.’ Sarah brushed away the compliment, but she was glowing at his praise. ‘Just made what was already there better.’
‘Stop being so modest,’ said Noa, his hand still on her back. ‘I’d be lost without you, darling.’
Darling.James suddenly had a horrifying thought. Was Sarah cheating on him with Noa Drakos? Who would blame her if shewashaving an affair with the director? He was rich, successful and charming – and, more importantly,new. Everything James wasn’t.
Stop being so insecure!James told himself sternly. Sarah would never betray him.
‘Were you at the screening just now?’ asked Sarah.
‘Oh, no, I’m too busy for that,’ said Noa. ‘I’ve got a business proposal for you. We’d like to hire the cinema as our location base while we shoot at Merricourt Manor and around Plumdale.’
Sarah and James exchanged confused glances.
‘Why here?’ asked James.
‘We’d like to use the café as our warm area,’ continued Noa. ‘But mostly we’re interested in using your car park and the side alleyway, where we can park our trailers and electricity generator.’
‘We would need to get permission from the local council, of course,’ said the assistant.
‘Our local MP might be able to help,’ said Sarah. ‘She’s a big supporter of independent businesses.’
Noa snapped his fingers and his assistant handed James a contract.
James scanned the document. The production company were offering a substantial sum to use the car park and lobby for two weeks, while they filmed in and around the village.
He passed the contract to Sarah. Her eyes widened as she read it.
‘Can we think about it for a bit?’ James wanted a chance to mull the offer over. It seemed too good to be true.
‘I’m afraid we need a decision tonight,’ said Noa. ‘We’re also looking at the polo club as a possible location – butof course we’d prefer to use the cinema. Sarah mentioned it’s been struggling.’
James didn’t like being pressurised like this. And he also didn’t like being made to feel like a charity case.
‘Please say yes, Dad,’ begged Holly.
Noa smiled at her. ‘Your mum says you’re an actor?’
