Page 87 of Christmas at the Movies
Noticing the horrified look on Nick’s face, his grandmother patted his knee. ‘Don’t worry, Nick. I’m sure she’s fine. She would have mentioned it to me if anything was wrong.’
Nick carried his grandmother’s decorations into the living room. He set up her little tree in the corner and wound fairy lights around it. Then her friends helped to decorate it.
‘I got this ornament in Peru,’ his grandmother explained, adding a little llama to the tree. ‘And this jade bauble is from my time in China.’
‘You really have been everywhere, Geraldine.’ Pam smiled at Nick. ‘Do you want to travel the world like your grandmother, Nick?’
‘Nope. I like Plumdale.’ Nick thought it was the perfect place to live. At least, it used to be, before stupid Noa Drakos and his film crew moved in.
‘This one is my favourite.’ Grandma showed Nick a lumpy angel made of dough. ‘You mum made it when she was in primary school.’
‘So youdohave a sentimental side after all, Geraldine,’ teased Roger.
By the time the last batch of biscuits had come out of the oven, the tree was fully decorated.
‘Many hands make light work,’ said Olwyn. ‘Now, I’d better get back home – I need to finish readingThe Kyoto Magical Cat Cafébefore my book club tomorrow.’
‘I’d better get home too,’ said Nick.
His grandmother offered him the plate. ‘Take a biscuit to tide you over.’
As he walked home, Nick took a bite of the star-shaped biscuit, but it felt like clay in his mouth – he was too worried to enjoy it. He’d hoped to get answers from his grandmother, but he was no closer to solving the Mum mystery.
It felt like his family, who mattered more to him than anything else, was falling apart.
As James cycled to the cinema, he noticed more traffic on the road than usual. Sarah had taken the car earlier that morning so she could cover the Baby and Me screening.
‘I really don’t mind,’ she’d said. ‘I have a meeting with Noa to discuss the final draft.’
There was a blast of a horn and James swerved out of the way, narrowly avoiding being run over by a huge lorry.
‘Hey, watch it!’ he shouted.
As it sped past, he noticed the writing on the vehicle’s side –Star Lights: Film Equipment. It was no doubt heading to the same place he was.
Preparations for filming were in full swing in Plumdale, transforming it from a sleepy village to a Hollywood backlot. Trucks and movie trailers were parked all along the road leading into the village, with more arriving in a steady convoy.
Not wanting to take his chances, James got off his bike and walked, irritation growing with every step. Crew in fluorescent yellow vests spoke into walkie-talkies, while others unloaded equipment.
‘Mind your back!’ shouted someone, carrying a huge white reflector past.
James ducked out of the way, only to narrowly avoid being hit by a cart filled with black cases of lenses and rolls of gaffer tape in every hue. There was an enormous generator parked in the alley at the side of the cinema, like a giant carbuncle.
What an eyesore,James thought. The Plumdale Beautification Society wouldn’t be too happy about that. Although, at the last film-festival screening, Ian had mentioned that he was going to be an extra in the movie, so perhaps he didn’t mind.
A reporter with platinum-blonde hair and an American accent stood on the pavement in front of the cinema, being filmed by a cameraman. ‘This is Goldie Johnson, reporting live from Plumdale, where Noa Drakos will be filming his comeback movie,Ex-mas Eve. The film stars heart-throb Mateo Ajose and up-and-coming starlet Mia Winslow. Will this be the hit the award-winning film-maker needs to get his career back on track?’
Not wanting to get in the shot, James wheeled his bike down the side alley to go in through the back entrance. It was even busier in the car park. There were trailers parked there, a row of portable toilets, and some gazebos had been set up as well for the costume and make-up teams. James locked his bike up, then headed for the back door.
A burly man holding a clipboard was blocking the way. ‘Name,’ he barked.
‘James O’Hara.’
The man checked his clipboard and shook his head. ‘Sorry, film crew and authorised personnel only.’
‘Iownthe cinema,’ snapped James impatiently. He checked his watch. Delays to his journey meant he was running late, and he’d promised Sarah he’d get here by the time the Baby and Me screening was over.
‘Nice try – I haven’t heard that one before. Look, everyone in town is hoping to meet the stars,’ said the security guard. ‘But you need to move on now.’
