Nell clutched the edge of her chair and kept her eyes firmly on the auctioneer.
‘Lot number five, The Old Picture House, Little Rock Marina.’
Nell took a deep breath. Thoughts of her mum suddenly flashed through her mind, ‘Don’t do this, Nell, you’ll have bitten off more than you can chew.’ This was the first time she’d doubted herself. But Nell didn’t have time to dwell on it any longer because immediately the reserve was met due to the internet bids. The tension ricocheted through the room and Nell had never felt tension like it.
Within seconds a hand was raised at the side of Nell.
‘When do I bid?’ She whispered to Nathan – her heart was pounding.
‘Not yet, hold off, you don’t want to show your hand too early. We don’t want to push the price up if we don’t need to. I’ll tell you when.’
She nodded.
‘Bid here at the front,’ the auctioneer pointed straight at Nell.
Nathan’s eyes widened, ‘I told you to hang fire,’ he said, amused, seeing the shock written all over Nell’s face.
Nell could have kicked herself, ‘I was answering you,’ she whispered.
Nathan gave a hearty laugh, ‘Keep your head still. Take note. Do not move until I say.’
Nell was outbid from a gentleman at the back of the room and then by someone else to the side. When she swung round to have a look, that’s when she noticed him standing next to Lloyd. Her heart hammered against her chest even harder, if that was at all possible, as Guy smiled back at her. He’d come to support her in his own way. As much as he’d made a mess of things, he was still rooting for her. She gave him a nod of appreciation and he smiled back. She turned back towards the auctioneer.
‘Any advance on £65,000?’ The auctioneer looked towards the man at the back of the room, who shook his head.
‘Any more bids, any more bids.’ The rapid combination of numbers took Nell by surprise.
‘Going once …’
‘It’s still within budget. Now!’ ordered Nathan.
Catapulting her arm in the arm, ‘I’m going to have a heart attack in a minute,’ she uttered under her breath.
The auctioneer shifted his gaze back towards Nell.
‘Lady at the front here.’
Nell nodded and was now the highest bidder.
‘It’s in the bag,’ Nathan said, ‘It’s better than the horse racing, this is.’
The auctioneer’s head swivelled around the room, ‘Last shout out for the Old Picture House, Little Rock Marina, going once, he lifted his hammer, going twice …’
Nell squealed and clapped her hands together.
‘New bidder at the back of the room. The auctioneer pointed.’
‘What?’ exclaimed Nell.
The pair of them spun around.
‘Who’s bid?’
Nell snagged the eye of a woman standing at the back of the room and met the stony-faced stare from Kate. Her stomach churned.
‘What’s she doing here?’ Nell hissed towards Nathan.
Who is she?’
‘Guy’s wife, she’s a property developer.’
Nell locked eyes with Kate, who gave her a smug smile.
‘She’s going to have more funds than me.’ Nell could feel the anger rising inside her.
‘Keep bidding,’ Nathan encouraged, ‘but do not go over your budget.’
‘Any more takers?’ The auctioneer bellowed. In a manic flurry Nell thrust her arm in the air and her bid was noted.
Kate nodded towards the auctioneer with a haughty look on her face.
They were now in direct competition.
Nell had never been more determined in her life. Her hand was firmly in the air.
She turned round and stared at Kate, then noticed Guy swiftly weaving towards her through the crowd, but Kate didn’t take her eyes off Nell and raised her arm again.
Within a couple of seconds he was at Kate’s side and Nell could see a heated discussion going on between them.
Guy could have kicked himself for leaving the property details on the table, and was furious that Kate had dared to show up today. How did she think this was going to help their relationship?
‘What the hell are you doing here?’ he hissed.
‘Bidding on a property, that’s what us property developers usually do,’ she uttered sarcastically.
‘Don’t do this,’ ordered Guy, thinking of Nell, who’d put so much preparation into making this happen.
‘But Guy, this one has so much potential.’
‘Going once …’
‘Don’t you dare,’ ordered Guy furiously, before grabbing her elbow and escorting her out of the building.
‘What do you think you are doing?’ she spat, her lips were pursed.
He rolled his eyes and let go of her arm as a couple walked past them staring.
He lowered his voice, ‘Never mind me. For God’s sake, what the hell do you think you are doing? You know I was looking at this property for a friend.’
‘Not just any friend, it seems. She doesn’t look the sort to me who’d want to build houses. I could easily throw up a couple of apartments on that plot and make a quick profit.’
‘And that’s exactly what she doesn’t want to happen.’
Kate tilted her head to one side, ‘Romantic notions never made profit,’ she said, giving a self-deprecating laugh then rubbing her elbow with a hurt expression on her face.
‘Oh please, stop the drama, I didn’t grab you that hard,’ claimed Guy, as he noticed people beginning to file out the back of the auction house. ‘Just go back to the hotel, will you.’
Kate opened her mouth to protest but thought better of it. His eyes blazed at her as he watched her turn and storm off up the market place. He didn’t follow but spun round as he recognised the excited chatter behind him.
Lloyd was congratulating Nell, and Nathan was standing by her side, beaming like a Cheshire cat.
‘You will be the making of that place,’ he touched her arm. ‘I have every faith.’
‘Please come to the opening night … even though it will be a while off yet.’
Lloyd nodded his appreciation before crossing over the road and disappearing amongst the crowd of shoppers.
‘Does this mean you won?’ asked Guy nervously.
Nell grinned and the relief was written all over her face. ‘I’m so pleased for you, Nell, you deserve this,’ Guy went to hug her but then held back. He didn’t want to make this any harder than it already was.
Nell sensed his hesitation, ‘Come here, give me a hug and thank you for everything, looking over my plans, talking me through the finances.’ Her heart began to beat in double time and every nerve in her body tingled as she inhaled his aroma for one last time.
‘Take care, Guy, and be happy.’
He forced a smile but the sadness in his eyes told a different story. ‘You too, Nell. Take care.’
Nell and Nathan watched Guy walk through the square until he disappeared.
‘You alright?’ Nathan asked tentatively.
‘Yes, even though I thought it was all over, thanks to Kate, until Guy escorted her out of the room.’
‘Well, don’t worry about that now – onwards and upwards.’ He leaned towards her and picked her up and spun her around like a little child, ‘Ollie would be so proud of you and even prouder when that old place is up and running again.’
‘Yes, he would be and I can’t wait to get started! Eek! I’m actually the proud owner of the Old Picture House. Pinch me, Nathan, I can’t quite believe it.’
Nathan pinched her arm.
‘Ouch! I didn’t mean it!’ she laughed.
‘You need to go back in and fill in the legal stuff, tell them your solicitor’s details and all that stuff.’
‘That shouldn’t take too long – and, to celebrate, how about I treat you to lunch at the deli?’
‘Sounds like an excellent plan, especially if it includes seeing my beautiful wife – then
I am always up for that.’
‘I can’t wait to spill the news!’ grinned Nell, linking her arms with his, ‘and I think we both deserve no less than a whole bottle of champers!’
Chapter 34
A sudden surge of emotion flooded through Nell as she opened the deli door and met the gaze of her mum and Bea.
Nell took a deep breath and exhaled. She’d intended to stay poker-faced and kid them along that she’d been pipped at the post, but to their utter relief Nell’s face broke into a huge smile.
‘OMG! OMG! You did it! You did do it, didn’t you?’ exclaimed Bea, weaving around the counter towards Nell.
Nathan stood behind her like a proud parent, ‘She did it indeed!’ he beamed, patting her on her back.
Gilly looked sheepish as she tucked her tea towel under her belt and walked towards Nell. ‘Congratulations,’ she said half-heartedly, kissing her on both cheeks.
‘Have you signed all the legal stuff?’
‘I’ve given them all my solicitor’s details. Now, please stop worrying about me. Nothing will go wrong, I’ve got this.’
Gilly wasn’t exactly brimming with enthusiasm and busied herself back behind the counter. Bea shrugged her shoulders at Nell, then went to hug her one more time.
‘Look at that sparkle in your eyes. I’m so proud of you! And I know Ollie would be too. What happens now?’
Nell cast her eyes around the deli, ‘Let’s grab that table over there and a pot of tea,’ Nell said jokingly.
‘Tea? Tea,’ Bea screwed her face up, ‘More like a glass of the good stuff for you lot. Gilly, there’s a bottle in the bottom of the fridge. I’ll have my usual orange juice!’
‘Glass of the good stuff, that sounds more like it,’ said Nathan, before kissing Bea on the cheek, ‘and how are you feeling, my lovely wife?’
‘I was feeling all anxious this morning, waiting to see what happened.’
‘It was touch and go for a minute,’ Nathan kept his voice low.
‘What do you mean?’
‘Guy’s wife …’
‘Kate?’
‘Only turned up and began to bid against Nell. They went head to head.’
‘You’re joking?’
‘No,’ he shook his head.
‘And Lloyd was there.’ Nell chipped in.
‘Lloyd?’ Gilly asked cautiously, appearing by the side of the table.
‘Yes. He walked me home last night and came in for a cuppa and I told him all about the auction. Actually, he was very supportive,’ Nell looked towards her mother, ‘He thought it was a great idea to bring the community back together by re-opening the old place.’
Gilly’s eyes widened and her face paled, ‘He was on your boat? Oh, Nell, you need to be careful, you can’t go entertaining strangers on the boat.’
Nell chuckled, ‘Stop being overdramatic, he was lovely. What do you think he’s going to do, hit me over the head with his walking cane and rob my Cath Kidston bunting?’
‘Stop being facetious.’
Nell stared at her mum, noticing again the strange tension in the air whenever the Old Picture House was mentioned.
‘Never mind all that, you’ve gone and done it! Let’s celebrate,’ said Bea, smiling.
Nathan disappeared behind the counter and returned holding four champagne flutes. ‘It’s time to make a toast,’ insisted Bea, clearing her throat.
‘Oh God, I hope this isn’t going to be like our wedding.’ Nathan laughed.
Bea rolled her eyes at him, ‘I’ll have you know, speeches don’t always have to be done by the best man, there are best women in the world too!’ She put her arm around Nell and smiled as Gilly popped the cork and filled up their glasses with fizz.
Bea cleared her throat, ‘Ha hum …’ her eyes were tearful as she caught Nell’s gaze. She took a deep breath. ‘Today, I think you’ll all agree, not that we are biased or anything … we are super- proud of you, Nell, and we wish you all the success with your new business venture.’
‘Oh stop, you’re going to make me cry!’
‘It has to be said,’ Bea blinked away her own tears. ‘We all miss Ollie and we all wish things were different but I know, you all know, he would be so proud of you.’ They all raised their glasses, ‘Here’s to Nell, the Old Picture House and, of course, to Ollie.’
They all echoed Bea’s words.
‘The development of the Old Picture House will bring a new lease of life to Little Rock Marina, that’s for sure,’ chipped in Nathan, ‘And I can’t wait to be sitting in those plush-velvet red bucket seats once more, eating popcorn on a Friday night. I’m assuming it is free popcorn for friends,’ he winked at Nell.
‘Without a doubt!’
They all raised their glass once more.
‘To Nell,’ they chorused.
They all clinked their glasses and took a sip.
‘What’s next? When do you get your hands on the actual keys?’ Bea asked, sliding into the seat next to Nell.
‘There’s a fourteen-day completion rule, but once the money is transferred it could potentially be sooner, depending on my solicitor. Then I can get to work.’ Nell rubbed her hands together in enthusiasm. ‘So, soon it will be all systems go. I’ve got the builder in place and can give Mike the heads-up, he’ll organise the clearance of the site and the builders accordingly.’
‘You sound like a proper property developer,’ grinned Nathan.
‘Is it just as easy as that?’ asked Bea, amazed at how quickly it all could get moving.
‘I’m hoping it all runs smoothly, but before the clearance can start I need to go back inside and make a list of everything I want to keep, especially the room where all the films and equipment were kept.’
‘I’d love to have a peek inside before the clearance begins.’
‘Of course. I’m sure the estate agent will give me the keys for a couple of hours so we can have a quick look around.’
Nell knew the next six months were going to be sheer hard work, but she was ready for it, ‘And once it’s all finished, I want you all walking down that red carpet with me on opening night,’ she chuckled, ‘We’ll be like proper famous movie stars.’
They could all hear the happiness in Nell’s voice.
‘You bet. Any excuse for a new dress,’ giggled Bea.
‘I knew somehow it would end up costing me money,’ Nathan kissed the top of his wife’s head.
Suddenly everyone noticed Nell had gone very quiet.
‘You okay?’ mouthed Bea.
‘Red Carpet,’ answered Nell.
‘You’ve lost me.’ Bea arched an eyebrow.
‘The Red Carpet Cinema. Wouldn’t that be a fantastic name for the Old Picture House? What do you think?’ Nell asked, flicking a glance between them all.
Bea mulled it over for a second, then a fleeting smile played across her lips, ‘You know what? I actually quite like that.’ She held up her glass, ‘Here’s to the Red Carpet Cinema.’
‘The Red Carpet Cinema,’ everyone clinked their glasses together.
Chapter 35
The warmer days were coming; the sky was an alluring blue with a few clouds dotted around and Nell, Bea and Gilly stood in front of the Old Picture House. Nell shook with a mixture of pleasure and fear as she jangled the keys in the air.
‘The estate agent has let us borrow the keys for a couple of hours max.’
‘That’s really kind of them,’ said Bea, clapping her hands together in excitement.
‘I know, I just wanted to have a look at the stuff that I might be able to salvage before the completion goes through.’
‘Good idea.’
‘I feel like I’m about to burst,’ grinned Nell, ‘Are we ready?’
Bea hovered behind her, waiting for her to open the door, ‘Come on, hurry up!’
‘And Mum … I’ve no idea why you’ve bought a pile of cleaning products with you. The whole place is going to be gutted as soon as the money has been deposited in the account an
d the builder sends his men in.’
‘Always be prepared,’ claimed Gilly, ‘You never know what we might need.’
As Nell twisted the key in the lock she swallowed down an excited squeal and wrapped her fingers around the door handle. She took a deep breath and pushed opened the heavy door with a flourish.
‘Ta-dah! Welcome to the Red Carpet Cinema,’ she said tremulously, her heart clattering with anticipation.
All three of them stood in the magnificent foyer and took in their surroundings. The sunlight poured through the broken glass windows and specks of dust danced about before their eyes.
‘Look at this place, it’s just how I remembered it,’ said Bea in awe. Gilly placed the box of cleaning products on the floor and they all spun round, taking in the view.
‘I can just imagine crowds of people queuing up here for their tickets, then over there for their ice-creams.’
‘How are you feeling?’ asked Bea, tentatively.
Tears pricked Nell’s eyes, ‘Ollie would have loved this so much.’
Ollie.
She was doing this for Ollie, his memory.
‘He would.’ Gilly squeezed her arm, for the first time showing her support for the project.
Wiping the tears with the back of her hand, she gave out a tiny laugh, ‘I’m not sad, just emotional,’ she admitted. ‘I’m feeling good.’
Today was the start of Nell’s future.
She sighed happily, ‘Come on, let’s sort out what we need to keep.’
‘Anyone there?’ the door opened and Nathan strolled in.
‘What have you done with Jacob?’
‘He’s gone to his friends for tea and I couldn’t miss this,’ he said, ‘I hope you don’t mind me gate-crashing.’
‘Not at all, come on in.’
‘I was expecting a pile of rubble inside,’ he admitted, ‘It’s quite spectacular, isn’t it?’
‘It’s something else,’ agreed Nell, ‘But when we go through to the cinema rooms it may be a little dark, the electricity wasn’t working when I first came to view the place.’
‘I can have a look at that,’ Nathan suggested, ‘You go ahead. I’ll catch you up.’
They watched Nathan wander over to the cloakroom area before Bea and Gilly followed Nell down the ramp towards the smaller screen.
The Cosy Canal Boat Dream: A funny, feel-good romantic comedy you won’t be able to put down! Page 21