Page 70 of Summer at Croftwood Cinema
‘And I can’t wait to open the doors at the back. It might be time to get Jack manning this door and we can go and do that together.’
Oliver went ahead to send Jack back while Patsy waited to greet any latecomers. She stood on the step with her wine, enjoying the peace and quiet of the park before she joined the party.
‘Hi.’
Patsy gasped and span around, her heart racing as she hadn’t heard whoever had crept up behind her.
‘I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you,’ said Matt.
Patsy put a hand on her heart and laughed with relief. ‘I was in a world of my own, don’t worry.’
‘The place looks great.’ He leant towards her slightly before he paused, looking unsure, and then kissed her on the cheek.
‘Oh, thanks.’ That had been a surprise. A nice surprise that made her stomach flip a tiny bit and wish that he hadn’t been so chaste in going for the cheek.
He was wearing dark jeans and a white shirt, open at the neck and a tweed jacket. His hair was in the usual waves it always was but he looked so polished that Patsy found herself staring at him for a few seconds too long before she remembered to speak.
‘Come on, let’s go in,’ she said. ‘We’re about to open the back door.’
Jack arrived to man the front door and Patsy led Matt inside.
‘Help yourself to a drink and we’ll go and join everyone backstage.’
Matt took a glass of red and followed Patsy into the auditorium. He hadn’t seen it since yesterday and she could see he was clocking all the small things that had been finished since then. It was great to see someone noticing and appreciating what they’d achieved. In all the rush to be ready none of them had had time to do that.
They walked through the stalls and went through the door into the backstage area only to be immediately heckled by Oliver.
‘Come on, Pats! Time for the grand opening of the door!’
She shot an apologetic smile at Matt and joined Oliver beside the door.
‘Thanks to all of you for being our guinea pigs tonight,’ Oliver said. ‘Please enjoy the food and drink and if there’s anything you think we can improve, please let one of us know. I also want to take a minute to thank Patsy without whom this place would be a carbon copy of the coffee house and would be nowhere near able to show an actual film. So let’s raise a glass to Patsy.’
Patsy glared at Oliver, feeling her face redden in embarrassment but she was touched and smiled while everyone chanted her name as they raised their glasses to toast her.
‘And by opening these doors, I now declare Backstage at Croftwood Cinema open!’
Oliver and Patsy grabbed the huge iron handle and heaved the door open, although once they’d begun to pull, it slid easily across on the rails, revealing the glammed-up corner of the park outside and inevitably, that’s where everyone headed. Apart from Patsy who went to find Ed who seemed to have missed the whole thing.
‘Ah, Patsy. There you are.’ Rosemary was waiting in the doorway, blocking Patsy’s exit into the stalls.
‘Rosemary. Welcome.’ Patsy gave her biggest smile and tried to make sure her eyes joined in. ‘Have you had a drink?’
‘I don’t appreciate giving my time up for no reason. I can’t see that you’ve taken any notice of the suggestions I made.’
Patsy smothered an eye roll and tried to avoid looking at Oliver who she knew would be making an ‘I told you so’ face. ‘On the contrary, Rosemary.’ Patsy took Rosemary gently by the elbow and led her into the stalls. ‘Look. Those curtains are entirely due to your suggestion. There weren’t any curtains before.’
‘But they’re…purple.’ Rosemary almost spat. ‘They should be red.’
‘We have to consider the rest of the decor and you know, we need to have a modern twist on the traditional. Same with the chandeliers.’
Rosemary tutted but looked a little appeased.
‘And this, you won’t believe.’ Patsy led her to the foyer and showed her the ornate balustrade. ‘Look, we didn’t even know that was there until you told me.’
Rosemary looked as pleased as punch. ‘Do you know, I walked straight past that earlier on. How could I have missed it? It looks wonderful. Just as I remember.’
‘Thank you, Rosemary. I really did appreciate you sharing your memories of the place.’
