Page 83 of Christmas at the Movies
Sarah nodded.
Her mother would no doubt ignore all the instructions Sarah had provided, but that was a grandparent’s prerogative.
‘What should we do next?’ James asked, as they left the restaurant and walked through Soho hand in hand. ‘Go to the pub? See a late movie?’
‘Go to bed,’ replied Sarah.
‘Sure,’ said James. ‘It’s late, and I know you’re tired.’
‘That’s not what I meant,’ said Sarah, her voice husky.
Her husband looked at her, understanding registering in his blue eyes.
‘Oh …’ He grinned with delight, then he quickly flagged down a passing black cab.
The next morning, they had a long lie-in, then went for a roast dinner at a pub.
‘This is the life,’ said Sarah, sitting by the roaring fire.
‘Do you miss living in London?’ James asked her.
Sarah thought about it as she sipped her cider. ‘Seeing how well Pari has done for herself does make me wonder what our lives might be like if we’d stayed here,’ she mused.
‘I wonder about that sometimes as well,’ said James.
‘How about you?’ she asked her husband, stealing one of his roast potatoes in exchange for her Yorkshire pudding. ‘Do you miss it here?’ Unlike her, James was a native Londoner.
‘I do miss being able to come up and visit Dad.’
‘Did you want to pop over to Ealing?’ she asked. ‘To see the flat one last time?’
They were close to closing on the sale of James’s father’s flat. It had taken a long time, as a previous buyer had been stuck in a chain and pulled out at the last minute.
‘No, that’s OK,’ he answered, surprising her. ‘It doesn’t feel like home any more.’ They had removed all the contents and repainted the flat, in an effort to sell it. Sean’s film memorabilia was displayed in the cinema’s lobby.
Then James surprised her again.
‘I was thinking that we could use some of the money to pay for a digital projection system.’
‘But you’ve always been such a staunch advocate for 35mm film.’
‘I don’t think we can hold out any longer,’ he explained. ‘Some film companies aren’t even making 35mm prints any more. If we don’t update, we won’t be able to show new releases.’
‘What about Roger?’ The projectionist was a good friend as well as their employee.
‘Omar is taking early retirement at the end of this year and Roger has decided to retire as well. They’re buying a house in Normandy and planning to spend half of the year in France.’
‘Oh, that’s wonderful.’
‘Anyone can operate a digital projector, so it would mean I can be around more for you and the kids. I don’t want to miss out on Holly and Nick’s childhood. The whole point of running our own business was to escape the rat race and have a decent work/life balance.’ James put his hand on her knee. ‘How does that sound?’
‘Really good,’ said Sarah. If a projector meant more time with her husband, she was all for it.
They had just enough time to take a walk to see the Christmas lights before heading back to the station. As lovely as it had been to visit London, she couldn’t wait to go back home to her babies.
‘Mummy!’ cried Holly as they came through the door. She launched herself at her mum, clinging to her like a limpet. ‘Did you get me a present?’
‘Maybe,’ said James. He held out the Paddington toy they’d bought at the station.
