Page 17 of Summer at Croftwood Cinema
’Sure. Maybe ask him to let you know when he’s planning to be there so someone knows if he’s there by himself. Health and safety, you know.’
‘Okey dokey. It’s quite exciting isn’t it?’
‘Mmm hmm,’ said Oliver. ‘The project or seeing Ed?’
Patsy took a moment to consider her answer. ‘Okay, if I’m being honest, both. I did get a little flutter when he texted me so I think that’s a sign.’
‘He texted you? So he must be keen too.’
‘Well, I started the texting,’ Patsy admitted. ‘He might be keener on the cinema project than he is on me.’
‘He’s probably using that as an excuse. Maybe he’s a bit shy. I mean, he teaches computers so maybe he doesn’t have that much experience with women?’
‘Not everyone who’s into computers is a social outcast. But maybe you’re right. We’ll see how it goes.’ She tucked the pastries inside her bag and picked up the coffees. ‘See you in the morning.’
‘Have a good time, Pats. See you tomorrow.’
Patsy walked through the churchyard towards the park, enjoying the signs of spring that were still emerging. Even though the patches of crocuses that had been sprinkled across the grass were almost gone, there were still plenty of daffodils, the trees were blossoming and there was a hint of the scent in the air.
Ed was waiting outside the cinema with a big holdall at his feet.
‘Morning,’ he said.
‘Morning.’ Patsy passed him one of the coffees. ‘Shall we have coffee before we go in? Seems a shame to be inside since it’s stopped raining.’
‘Okay,’ he agreed and they headed for a nearby park bench. ‘You’re right, it’s a glorious day now but still a bit cloudy if you look over there.’
While he laid his waterproof coat along the bench for them to sit on, Patsy pulled the pastries out of her bag. ‘I got these too. And some sugar for you.’
‘Thanks.’ He took three packets of sugar and emptied them into his coffee then took a pastry. ‘You remembered about the sugar.’
‘No-one takes three sugars these days, it’s pretty memorable.’ She looked at him and smiled. It felt a bit awkward between them, she didn’t know why. Perhaps once they got started it would be okay.
‘I’d like to say it’s my only vice but that’s probably not true.’
‘If you count that as a vice, I think you’re probably doing okay.’
He smiled. ‘Looks like things are really starting to happen,’ he said, gesturing to the cinema with his cup.
‘Yes, they’ve finished the roof so I think taking out the back wall is the next thing to do before the scaffolding comes down.’
‘That sounds like a big job. What kind of timescale are you on?’
‘We’re hoping to finish by the end of July and then we’ll have the grand opening in August so that we can still make the most of the park before the end of the summer.’
‘Well, that’s plenty of time for sorting out the projection box.’
‘Cool. It does seem that we keep forgetting about that side of things even though that’s our main attraction.’
‘Shall we make a start? I mean, you don’t have to stay, you can just let me in if you’ve got things to do.’
Patsy tried hard to gauge whether Ed wanted to be by himself or whether he was being polite.
‘I’ll hang around for a bit, if you don’t mind. It’s quite interesting and I think out of me and Oliver, at least one of us needs to have some clue about the projection side of things.’
Ed grinned and when Patsy smiled back at him, she found herself caught in his gaze for what seemed like minutes until he bent down to pick up the holdall and lifted his coat off the bench.
Patsy fumbled in her bag for the keys. ‘Right, let’s go in then.’
