Page 52 of Summer at Croftwood Cinema
Jack looked at Patsy in shock.
‘I just wondered if that’s why you did a heart?’
‘No, it’s the easiest one. Shit, do you think that’s what she thought?’
Patsy laughed. ‘Maybe learn the ferny leaf one and save the heart for someone special. It can be a useful hint.’
‘Cheers, Patsy. I’ll get some other patterns sorted out. I think I ought to have my own one, like a graffiti artist tag.’
‘Good idea. Go for it.’
She was going to miss working regularly in the coffee house but she had to admit, she was excited about putting more time into the cinema. Bringing her own design to life was going to be incredible.
The most glorious early summer’s day had turned into a balmy evening and Patsy was heading over to the cinema to meet Ed. It was the first time they’d worked together since their break-up but Oliver was keen to find out what progress was being made so when Ed had texted to say that he was going to work there that night, she arranged to meet him.
Ed was in the projection box with his head inside the projector, fitting the shiny parts back inside. He popped up to say hello but then went back to what he was doing as they chatted.
‘So you’re the boss now?’ Ed said with a smile after Patsy told him the new arrangement. ‘Congratulations.’
‘Thanks, but it doesn’t feel like a new job.’
‘Come on, it could be the start of a new career. With the cinema in your portfolio of work, you’ll be able to start selling yourself as a designer.’
‘It’s one thing helping out a friend when, to be honest, they’d think anything you did was brilliant but a completely different thing to do that for anyone else.’
‘Why? It seems like an amazing jumping off point to me.’ He finished fitting something inside the projector and turned to pick up the next part from where they were still laid out, labelled on the paper on the floor.
How could Patsy explain to Ed how important her comfort zone was? That it wasn’t about being a barista versus being a designer or project manager, it was about having a life that made her feel safe.
‘It is an amazing opportunity and I’m looking forward to working on the cinema but I’ve never wanted to be a designer.’
‘What do you want to do?’
‘I’m happy doing what I do.’
‘But being a barista, it’s not forever for anyone is it?’ He passed her an Allen key that he’d finished with.
‘Well no-one sets out to work in a coffee house, but some things are more important than money.’
‘No, I get that. The most important thing is to be happy but what about your dreams, Patsy? I know you’re content with your life but what about your ambitions?’
All of these things were mixed up so tightly with the life she’d had with Dan, she wasn’t sure she could explain herself properly to Ed without telling him everything. ‘I don’t know, Ed. I think being happy with what you have, well, there’s a lot to be said for that.’
Warming to his argument, he stopped what he was doing and turned to her. ‘Well, I think you’re wasting a talent if you go back to the coffee house after this.’
‘But what about loyalty? Oliver’s giving me this chance. I can’t just do the job and then leave, it would feel like I’d used him.’
‘I think he would want you to take advantage of the situation. He’s a good guy, he knows this could be a chance for you to move on.’
‘And what if I don’t want to move on?’ Patsy was starting to fume. She didn’t want to take it out on Ed but he didn’t understand. That was her fault. ‘I’m happy, Ed. Not everyone has ambitions or dreams of changing their life. You’re hardly the example of taking risks and seizing opportunities. Isn’t your job the only one you’ve had, ever?’
‘Yes, but—’
‘Exactly. You don’t know what I did before, Ed. You don’t know that this isn’t better or that this isn’t already my dream.’
‘You’re right,’ he said in a soothing tone which made her think he was trying to placate her.
‘Don’t try to talk me down. You don’t know, Ed!’
