A Seaside Affair (41 page)

After much flicking, she finally came to rest on a channel showing nothing but films. Credits were rolling down the screen, signalling the end of a movie. Wondering what was coming next, she reached for her copy of
TV Quick
. It had fallen down the side of her battered old armchair. As she leaned down to pick it up she saw just how threadbare the chair was getting, but there was no way she’d ever replace it. It had been her husband’s favourite chair. She’d come to Cornwall as an evacuee from London’s East End; after her parents had been killed in the Blitz, she had nothing to go back for. Seventy-odd years she’d been in Pendruggan, yet there wasn’t a hint of Cornish to her accent and she still sounded as if she’d just stepped off a bus on the Mile End Road. Her husband, Ted, had been dead nearly fifteen years, but sitting on his chair kept him close.

Queenie lit a roll-up and pursed her lips at the sight of Ant and Dec on the front cover. ‘
Britain’s Got Talent
, my arse. Right, what’s this then: “
Runaway Bride
. Richard Gere and Julia Roberts star in romantic comedy about a woman who has left a string of fiancés at the altar.”’

Queenie stared intently at the small TV screen. A light bulb popped in her head.

‘I knew I’d seen him somewhere before!’

Queenie stubbed out her fag and legged it down to the shop as fast as her birdlike legs could carry her.

‘A’right, Queenie,’ said Tony. ‘Can I go now? Got to start on the weeding in Miss Helen’s garden.’

‘You stay where you are, Tony. I’ve got to see Penny – and this won’t wait!’

*

Queenie rushed into Simon and Penny’s kitchen, where Penny was just putting the phone down – a look of shock on her face.

‘’Ere, listen,’ said Queenie. ‘Opening night at the Pavilions, there was a fella came in wantin’ a ticket – all tanned and gorgeous ’e was, an’ I knew I’d seen ’im somewhere only I couldn’t think where. Well, I’ve remembered.’

‘Hang on a minute, Queenie. The most extraordinary thing has just happened. Simon, you were right, it seems that God really does move in mysterious ways. You’ll never guess who wants to buy the rights to
Hats Off, Trevay!
’

‘Who?’

‘Bloody Richard Gere – bloody Hollywood legend, that’s all. Star of
Pretty Woman
,
Officer and a Gentleman
– I could go on. It defies belief.’

Queenie was flapping her hands. ‘But that’s what I’m trying to tell you – he’s the Yank who came in on opening night. Came later the following week, an’ all. I wasn’t on the box office meself, but I saw him sneak in at the back a couple of minutes before curtain up. Then he left just before the end.’

‘He obviously didn’t want to be seen.’

‘But ’e didn’t count on old Queenie, did ’e? I knew it’d come to me.’ Queenie grinned a self-satisfied smile.

‘So what happens now?’ asked Simon.

Penny could barely bring herself to say the words – the universe was on its head.

‘He wants to meet us. Holy shit, I’ve got to call Helen!!’

*

Backstage at the Pavilions there was a party atmosphere. It was the last night and preparations for the crew’s after-show party were in full swing. The stage management team had already strung bunting and balloons around the green room and a small table was accepting bottles of donated booze.

Someone had organised a Secret Santa-type gift collection. Everyone had drawn names out of a hat and for ten pounds had to buy that person an amusing gift without them knowing who it was from.

Jess couldn’t believe that it was nearly over. So much had happened in the last couple of months. Her life was completely different now. The last couple of weeks had passed in a blur. Emma and Max had been down for the weekend and it had given her a real lift. There was nothing like a sister to put some perspective on things.

‘Look, Sis, Ryan leaving is a blow. But he was holding you back, not the other way around.’ They were sitting outside at a fabulous new fish restaurant that had opened on the harbour. ‘You’ll see, it will all be great now. I can feel it. Ryan didn’t want the same things that you did. Or if he did, it was with a layer of fake Hollywood veneer slicked over it.’

‘Do you think he and Serena will get married and have kids?’ Jess asked. It still worried her that she had left that side of things too late. Forty wasn’t that far away.

‘Maybe, but who cares if he does? They’ll only spawn another generation of selfish bastards like themselves.’

Jess laughed. ‘Come on, let’s have another glass of wine – d’you think Max will let us?’

Max was sitting between them and seemed to be engrossed in drawing pictures of a rather frightening-looking scarecrow. ‘Look, Mummy – I’ve drawn Daddy!’

‘Oh dear, poor Daddy.’ Emma and Jess laughed at Max, his face screwed up in concentration.

‘Let’s risk it.’

‘And what about Jonathan?’ Emma asked as the waiter brought them each another glass of Cabernet Sauvignon.

‘I don’t know what you mean,’ Jess replied, a blush creeping into her cheeks.

‘Don’t come the innocent with me. I’ve seen the way he looks at you. You could do worse than give him a try, you know. I wish someone would look at me like that, once in a while.’

‘I don’t know what you’re talking about! Anyway, I seem to have made a mess of everything. I don’t want to mess it up for Jonathan as well, he’s too good.’

‘Time waits for no woman, my girl. Remember, you’re not going to be scared of life any more. Promise me.’

‘I promise.’ And Jess decided that this time, she really meant it.

*

Sitting in her dressing room, Jess looked at the photograph of herself with Ollie and Brooke that was propped up on her dressing table and smiled. The Three Musketeers. She didn’t know whether they would stay friends for life. Or even if they would be friends this time next year. But those two had got her through some pretty sticky moments.

There was a tap on the door and Jonathan popped his head round.

‘Ready for the final curtain call?’ Registering her pensive face, he came in, shut the door and sat down beside her. ‘Something wrong?’

‘No, not wrong exactly.’ Jess took Jonathan’s hand in her own. ‘Jonathan, I know how you feel about me and I just want to say something.’

Jonathan’s steady gaze met hers. ‘I think I know what you’re going to say.’

‘Jonathan, I’m not sure that you …’

He held his hand up. ‘Look, we’ve had a wonderful, crazy rollercoaster of a ride and I wouldn’t have missed it for the world, but I realise that I’m not what you’re after and I understand. My offer still stands to work on
Blithe Spirit
and I won’t get in your way or bother you – we’ll be complete professionals, OK?’

‘But, I was going to say—’

‘Jess, you don’t have to decide right now. Let’s talk at the party.’ He gave her hand a quick squeeze and then got up to go. ‘By the way, I don’t know the details, but I’m told something pretty spectacular is on the cards for later, so prepare yourself.’

With that he was gone.

Jess sighed at her reflection in the mirror.

‘Men!’

*

The final performance of
Hats Off, Trevay!
was a resounding success. The loudest cheers and the longest standing ovation was saved, of course, for Colonel Stick. Jess found that she had tears rolling down her cheeks as the cast took their lengthy encores.

Ollie started a call for ‘Director, Director!!’ and Jonathan was hauled up on stage, against his wishes. Jess saw his chest swell with pride as his loyal team of actors and crew cheered him until they were hoarse.

Backstage, the atmosphere was like a carnival. All of the actors were hugging and embracing each other, making short-lived declarations of lifelong friendship. In the hubbub, Jess felt herself clasped in a huge bear hug, arms all around her. It was Ollie and Brooke.

‘You’re just amazing, Jess. Promise me that we’ll always be friends. I know I’ve been a wanker – forgive me?’

‘Of course. I couldn’t ask for two better friends.’

Brooke hurried them along. ‘Let’s get out of these costumes, I need a drink!’

*

After putting in an appearance at the crew’s party, the cast decamped to the Starfish, where there was more partying. It seemed that Trevay’s great and good had turned out in force for the occasion.

‘Here’s to us!’ said Brooke.

‘Hear hear!’ agreed Ollie. ‘One for all and all for one, right?’

‘You bet!’ agreed Jess, draining her Cosmopolitan and swiping another one from a passing waiter with a full tray.

Jonathan and the Colonel came over to join them.

‘You’re a triumph, my dear boy,’ the Colonel was telling Jonathan. ‘You’ve done almost as well as my Peter. Almost, but not quite!’ His eyes twinkled.

‘He’s an impossible act to follow.’

Miss Coco interrupted them. ‘You’re more of a triumph than you realise – here look at this.’

He thrust an early edition of tomorrow’s newspaper in front of them.

‘Here, let me read it out,’ said Jess.

Hats Off, Trevay!
playing at the threatened Pavilions in the eponymous Cornish seaside town is nothing short of a triumph. Under the excellent direction of Jonathan Mulberry,
Hats Off
has reinvented the musical tradition. By turns funny, uplifting and poignant, the age-old cliché of boy meets girl has been given a new lease of life by a cast and director who are at the top of their game. It’s
Hats Off
indeed, and let’s hope that we’ll soon see a transfer to the West End for this superlative production …

‘Oh, Jonathan – you’re a genius!!’ Jess threw her arms around him and gave him a full kiss on the mouth. He blushed, but before he had a chance to speak, a tinkle of metal on glass signalled that the speeches were about to begin.

‘Hush now, let’s listen,’ said Jess as she squeezed his hand.

Simon Canter took the stage.

‘Thank you all for coming tonight, and thanks to all of the cast and crew for making
Hats Off, Trevay!
such a roaring success. We couldn’t have done any of this without the help and support of the people of Trevay. We’ve shown that when push comes to shove, we’re made of true grit.’

This was greeted by a chorus of whoops and whistles from the packed Starfish terrace.

‘I’m sure you’re all wondering what is going to happen to the Pavilions now. Well, today we’ve had some wonderful news that will take us one step closer to securing the future of the Pavilions for decades to come. Penny, would you like to tell us what this is all about.’

Penny stepped on to the stage and addressed the familiar faces.

‘Yes, Simon. As you know, the big problem has always been finding the money to keep that amazing building going long beyond the life of
Hats Off
. I’m delighted to tell you all that today, with the blessing of the Colonel, I have secured a deal for the film rights. As of next summer,
Hats Off, Trevay!
will be going into production – and I’d like you to meet the director and star.’ Penny paused for dramatic effect.

‘Mr Richard Gere!’

There was a moment’s stunned silence as the audience drank in what Penny had said. They watched, stunned, as an impossibly handsome, silver-haired screen icon took to the stage and gave them a friendly wave.

‘Ladies and gentlemen, it’s an honour to be here and I hope to do justice to this great play and the story of how a small group of people can take on and beat big business.’

The Starfish erupted in cheers and shouts, and soon Richard Gere was surrounded by the people of Trevay, eagerly pumping his hand and desperate to get a sprinkling of his Hollywood magic.

‘Mr Gere, there’s someone I’d really like you to meet,’ said Penny, gently leading him away from the throng and introducing him to a flushed and flustered Joan Goodman, whose legs were shaking like a schoolgirl’s.

*

Jess was feeling pleasantly piddled as she chatted to Jonathan and Ollie.

‘Who would have thought it! Richard Gere, a Hollywood film, a West End show and the Colonel’s film archive. We’re going to be the talk of the showbiz world.’

‘Let’s hope so. We asked for a miracle and now we’ve more than one! Here’s to the power of prayer.’ Jess clinked glasses with them both.

‘Where’s Brooke, Ollie?’ asked Jess.

‘Over there.’

They followed Ollie’s finger as he pointed to Richard Gere, engrossed in conversation with a sparking and animated Brooke, who seemed to be giving it ‘Brooke Lynne’ for all she was worth.

Eventually he extricated himself and came to say his quiet goodbyes to Penny, Simon and the Colonel. He took Penny’s hand and looked into her eyes with a warm gaze that melted her tough business heart.

‘Penny, I can’t wait to work with you guys. We’re gonna have a lot of fun.’ He kissed her on both cheeks then turned to the two men.

‘Simon, it’s been a pleasure to meet you and the Colonel, without you I wouldn’t be here. Hold on to your hat, you’re about to be a big star all over again. Are you ready for it?’

The Colonel stood upright and proud. ‘Mr Gere, I’m of the generation that goes down fighting.’

‘Glad to hear it, but we’re not going down, we’re going up – all the way to the Oscars, I hope.’ The small group laughed and shook hands with the Hollywood legend before he slipped away, unnoticed.

Penny leant against Simon. ‘Oh my God, he’s gorgeous!’

Brooke came over, slightly tiddly, ‘Where’s Richard gone? We were getting on really well. I want to buy him a drink.’

Penny, pulling away from Simon, put her arms around her ambitious friend. ‘You and me both, Brooke, you and me both.’

*

Ollie, sitting with Jonathan and Jess, watched Brooke gather up her bags and walk unsteadily out of the room. She saw Ollie, blew him a kiss and a wink before walking out of his life forever. He sighed and took a long slug from his Manhattan cocktail.

‘
Hats Off, Trevay!
Boy meets girl, messes it up, meets another, gets messed up, then the circle begins all over again. Just another crazy day in the acting profession. Right, Jonathan?’

Ollie slapped Jonathan good-naturedly on the back then rose unsteadily towards the bar, where a number of pretty and tipsy young women threw themselves at him.