Singing in the Rain at the Picture House by the Sea

by Holly Hepburn

  Chapter Eight

  Gina arrived home later that afternoon to an apartment filled with red roses. They adorned every available surface, from the coffee table to the kitchen worktop and even the shelf around the bathroom sink. Max sat among them, perched on the edge of the sofa with a contrite expression.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ he said, the moment she stepped into the living room. ‘I am a jealous, ridiculous moron and I acted like a total prick.’

  Gina eyed him coldly, although her heart was thudding uncomfortably. ‘Go on.’

  Max ran a hand through his hair. ‘I don’t know why I did it. I mean, I suppose I do, if I’m honest – it was meeting Ben.’ He gave her a level stare. ‘You didn’t tell me he looked like a swimwear model.’

  Her face grew warm. ‘He’s one of my oldest friends, Max. We’ve known each other since we were kids.’

  ‘I know,’ Max said, sounding wretched. ‘That’s part of the problem. You’re down here, discovering friends you had before we even met and taking the whole bloody town by storm. It makes me feel a bit shut out, to be honest, like I’m not a big part of your life these days. So, when I realised who Ben was and he was all He Man, Master of the Universe – well, I think I might have lost the plot a bit.’

  Gina couldn’t help it – she laughed. ‘Max, there isn’t anyone in the world less He Man than Ben. He watches musicals and lives in a converted railway carriage, for God’s sake!’

  His shoulders slumped. ‘I know – it’s ridiculous. But that’s how it felt. And so I tried to show him that I was in charge. With the benefit of hindsight, I couldn’t have done anything worse. I’m sorry.’

  He hung his head and the last of Gina’s anger drained away. ‘Max—’

  ‘Just tell me you’re not in love with him,’ he cut in, so quietly that she wasn’t sure she’d heard correctly.

  ‘What?’

  ‘Tell me you’re not in love with Ben,’ he said, meeting her gaze. ‘That way I can go back to London with my tail between my legs and spend the next however many years trying to make this up to you.’

  Gina’s heart started to race. Did she love Ben, or was it merely the distance from Max and everything she knew that was making her feelings seem more than they were? She was definitely jealous of Rose; she’d known that when she’d seen her in the doorway of the railway carriage on Sunday morning, and again when she’d seen them together at the Scarlet. But did she love Ben?

  ‘He’s with Rose Arundell,’ she told Max, breathing deeply to calm her thumping heart. ‘And we only have to get through the next six weeks, then I’ll be home. In London, with you. Where I want to be.’

  Max nodded, as though he’d heard what he’d needed to hear. ‘So,’ he said, drawing in a long, deep breath. ‘Can you forgive me?’

  His eyes were suspiciously bright, as though he was on the verge of tears. Gina almost gasped; she’d never known anything to affect him like this. Hurriedly, she closed the distance between them and fell into his arms. ‘Of course I forgive you,’ she said, feeling her own eyes moisten. ‘I love you, Max Hardy.’

  Gina waved Max off on Friday morning, promising to come to see him in London soon. She was surprised at how sad she was to see him go; they’d stayed up late into the night, talking about everything from their feelings to their future, but she had plenty to take her mind off the sudden hole his absence would leave. And she had an apartment filled with the heady scent of roses to remind her of his love.

  By the time Saturday evening came around, Gina had reconciled herself to the idea of Rose and Ben as a couple. It had come completely out of the blue, and Rose was the last person she would have chosen for him, but presumably Ben knew what he was doing and saw something in Rose Arundell that Gina was blind to. Even so, she had to steel herself when they walked into the foyer of the Palace together.

  Carrie spotted them at the same moment Gina did and sidled over to whisper, ‘Isn’t Rose the perfect Lina Lamont? But I bet she’s furious over Ben’s choice of outfit.’

  Gina frowned. She couldn’t argue with Carrie; Rose’s silver flapper dress and diamond-studded head-dress looked great. Ben looked picture perfect too, as Don Lockwood, Lina’s on-screen lover. ‘What’s wrong with it?’

  ‘Isn’t it obvious?’ Carrie said, her eyes sparkling beneath her cute cloche hat. ‘He’s not Don Lockwood at all – he’s Cosmo Brown, Don’s comedy sidekick.’

  Now that Gina looked closely, she saw exactly what Carrie had seen; the shirt and braces were less dashing and more slapstick, and his blond hair was slicked back in a style that definitely suggested Cosmo instead of Don. He chose that moment to glance over at her and she saw his eyes widen a fraction as he took in her figure-hugging, emerald-green dancer’s dress. Then his attention snapped back to Rose, as though he hadn’t noticed Gina at all.

  Remembering Nonno’s advice, Gina plastered a welcoming smile on her face and crossed the foyer to greet the new arrivals. ‘Rose, Ben, how lovely to see you again.’

  If the other woman was taken aback to be greeted so cordially, she hid it well. ‘Hello, Gina. That’s an interesting choice of costume.’

  ‘It’s a great choice of costume,’ Ben said, although his eyes were fixed on Gina’s, as though he was trying to work out whether they were still friends.

  ‘Yours too,’ she said, and this time her smile didn’t need to be forced. ‘Cosmo is one of my favourite characters – his Make ’Em Laugh routine is amazing.’

  Rose’s head whipped around and she stared suspiciously at Ben.

  ‘Enjoy the film,’ Gina said swiftly, because Nonno and Nonna had just appeared in the doorway, wearing matching yellow raincoats and causing a ripple of delighted applause. ‘Don’t forget to try the ice-cream.’

  Before long, the foyer was packed with cinema-goers, all dressed in costumes to match the film. Ferdie and Elena were getting a lot of attention and Gina wasn’t in the least bit surprised; underneath their raincoats, they’d mirrored Don and Kathy in the song You Were Meant for Me. Elena’s lilac crepe dress hung in elegant folds and Gina suspected Ferdie’s wide-collared white shirt and black-and-white spats might have been hiding in his wardrobe for a very long time. Gina shook her head and laughed; her grandparents had created an adorable impression of how the movie’s stars might have looked after a lifetime together. It was perfect.

  After making sure they each had a Moses Supposes cocktail, Gina slipped through the door that led to the business end of the Palace. She wanted to check Tash had everything she needed in the projection room, including the required number of reels to screen the film. After the near-disaster last time, she wasn’t taking any chances.

  She’d only taken a few of the steps that led to the projection room when she heard the door behind her open again. She turned around and was both surprised and yet unsurprised to see Ben standing there.

  ‘Can we talk?’ he said. ‘Clear the air? I feel like I owe you an explanation.’

  Gina began to turn away. ‘I’ve told you before, Ben, you don’t owe me anything. I’m happy for you and Rose.’

  ‘Really?’ he called. ‘Because you don’t look it. You look like you hate me, Gina. And I only did it for you. For us.’

  Gina froze. ‘What do you mean?’ she said, slowly turning back.

  Ben shrugged, his expression helpless. ‘I know how much the refurbishment project means to you – the station renovation is important to me too. So I thought that maybe if I took Rose out on a date, wined her and dined her a bit, she might persuade her mother to put in a good word with the rest of the funding committee.’

  ‘Ben!’ Gina gasped, her hand flying to her face. ‘You didn’t!’

  He nodded wretchedly. ‘You weren’t supposed to find out. I couldn’t believe it when I saw you in the restaurant – I wanted the ground to swallow me up.’

  ‘I can’t believe you’ve done this,’ Gina said, still reeling. ‘Bloody hell, Ben, how do you think Rose is going to react when she finds out the truth?’r />
  ‘She won’t find out,’ he said, his tone grim. ‘I’m not going to tell her. Are you?’

  Gina didn’t know what was worse – the knowledge that Ben was capable of something so sneaky and underhanded and wrong, or the tiny bubble of happiness she felt at knowing he and Rose weren’t really together. ‘You’ll have to tell her something,’ she said slowly. ‘Or are you planning on playing a long game here?’

  ‘God, no,’ he said. ‘I’ll let her down gently once we’ve got the go ahead from the committee. She’s already told me it’s as good as agreed.’

  ‘Even so . . .’ Gina shook her head. ‘I don’t know whether to kiss you or slap you.’

  He was silent for several long seconds. ‘I know which I’d prefer.’

  The look he sent her way was so intense that it almost took her breath away. She took a single step towards him and then the door to the projection room swung open and Tash stuck her head out. ‘Oh, hello,’ she said, raising one pierced eyebrow. ‘I just wanted to say that I’m all set in here. Thundercats are go!’

  Gina avoided Ben’s eyes as she nodded. ‘Okay, I’ll let Gorran know.’

  Ben didn’t try to stop her as she passed him and it wasn’t until she’d reached the door to the foyer that he spoke. ‘By the way, Gina, Rose was just jealous. That dress is hot.’

  Fighting the urge to turn around, Gina glanced over her shoulder. ‘Thank you. Now, come and help me round up the audience.’

  The film itself was a triumph. Everywhere Gina looked, she saw people laughing and enjoying themselves. Feet were tapping during the dance numbers and the entire audience cheered when Lina Lamont was revealed as a fraud. Gina didn’t dare look at Ben, sitting with Rose just a few seats behind; it was too close to the truth.

  Afterwards, she stood beside Gorran in the foyer and thanked everyone for coming. He was dressed as the studio boss R. F. Simpson but he refused to take any credit for the success of the night. ‘Really, all I do is provide the movie,’ he told anyone who tried to congratulate him. ‘Gina is the one who makes the magic happen.’

  Ferdie was soaking up the praise too, and not just for his outfit; his Good Morning gelato was so popular that Manda ran out of stock and Ferdie had to promise to offer it for sale at Ferrelli’s for a few more days at least. And judging by the look on Elena’s face, she’d spotted a golden opportunity to talk Ferdie into introducing their Afternoon Tea ice-cream sooner rather than later.

  Carrie caught up with Gina as the last few stragglers were finishing their drinks and leaving. ‘You know, I’m not sure Rose has ever watched Singin’ in the Rain all the way through before.’

  ‘What makes you say that?’ Gina asked.

  Carrie grinned. ‘Because she had a face like a cat’s bum when she left with Ben just now – I don’t think she realised that Lina is the villain of the film.’

  ‘Oh dear,’ Gina said, trying not to laugh. ‘Well, I think she’s perfect for the role. In fact, I can’t think of anyone better suited to play Lina Lamont, can you?’

  ‘Nope,’ Carrie said. ‘But I think she’ll choose her costume a little more carefully next time. Speaking of which, any idea what your next choice might be? I wouldn’t mind getting a head-start in sourcing outfits.’

  Gina shook her head. ‘There might not be a next film – not for a while, anyway. If we get our funding, the Palace will be closed for refurbishments for at least a few weeks.’

  ‘But knowing you, you’ll have big plans for a grand reopening,’ Carrie said, giving Gina a sidelong look. ‘Let me know what I can do to help.’

  Gina finally fell into bed at just after midnight, exhausted but happy. Her last thoughts before she drifted off were of Ben, and how much better she felt to be back on friendly terms with him again. She didn’t approve of what he’d done but there was no going back now. And he’d liked her dress, she thought, smiling sleepily. She was glad he’d liked her dress.

  An envelope was waiting for Gina when she got home on Tuesday evening. Recognising the Polwhipple council postmark, Gina dropped her bag to the floor of the hallway and tore back the paper flap. Hardly daring to breathe, she scanned the letter inside, then let out a whoop so loud she thought Ben might have heard it.

  Her fingers shook as she dialled his number. ‘Have you seen it?’ she said, as soon as he answered.

  ‘I haven’t had the chance to check the mail yet,’ he replied, his voice tight with anticipation. ‘What does it say?’

  Grinning, Gina held up the letter. ‘Dear Miss Callaway, Messrs Dew and Pascoe,’ she read, ‘I am pleased to advise you that your application for funding has been accepted. The amount requested will be split fifty-fifty between the two projects outlined in your application, with the proviso that the written agreement of the Bodmin and Wenford Railway Preservation Society is obtained within seven days of the date on this letter to extend the train line to incorporate the newly renovated station in Polwhipple. If this condition is not met, all funding will be withdrawn.’

  Ben exhaled loudly. ‘So, it all hangs on the Preservation Society?’

  Gina frowned. ‘Well, yes, but that’s all right, isn’t it? They’re bound to say yes now that they know there’s funding.’

  ‘I suppose so,’ he said, but he didn’t sound sure. ‘I’ll have to set up a meeting, try and talk them round.’

  Gina thought for a moment. ‘How much work have you got left to do at the station?’

  ‘Hardly anything,’ Ben replied. ‘There’s a bit of snagging to do here and there, and some paintwork to touch up. Why?’

  ‘I’ve got an idea,’ she said. ‘But we’re going to need help to pull it off . . .’

  Chapter Nine

  Ben tugged at the brim of his station master’s hat and frowned at Gina.

  ‘Are you sure this is necessary?’

  Lowering her empty suitcase to the ticket hall floor, Gina reached up and straightened the collar of his liver-coloured uniform. ‘Of course it is. Trust me, they’re going to love it.’

  ‘Target acquired,’ Carrie called from the door that led to the front of the station. ‘They’re at the gates.’

  ‘Okay,’ Gina said, glancing into the ticket office and giving a smartly dressed Nonno the thumbs up. ‘Places, everyone.’

  Ben was at the door when the members of the Preservation Society arrived. ‘Welcome to Polwhipple station, gentlemen,’ he said smartly. ‘If you’d like to follow me, I’ll give you the grand tour.’

  Gina glanced across from her position at the ticket office, where she’d been asking for a ticket to London. The men, who were all well over sixty if they were a day, gaped in confusion and Gina held her breath as she watched them taking in the original station clock that hung on the wall to their left, the immaculate mosaic tiles on the floor, the perfectly matched Great Western railway colour scheme that Ben had so painstakingly sourced. Would they get what she and the other Polwhipple residents were trying to do? Would they see the potential of extending the line to this jewel of a station?

  Carrie appeared from the waiting room directly opposite the ticket office. ‘Excuse me,’ she said to Ben. ‘What time is the next train to Bodmin, please?’

  Ben consulted the pocket watch that was tucked into his jacket pocket. ‘The next train leaves in fifteen minutes, Miss. Platform Two.’

  Carrie nodded and headed through the door that led to the platforms. Gazing at one another in obvious confusion, the men followed Ben in the same direction as Carrie.

  Gina couldn’t resist going too. She watched as they took in the scene. Manda was presiding over a Ferrelli’s branded cart that was stocked with their full range of ice-cream. Vintage-style posters adorned the walls, advertising the delights of Polwhipple.

  Ben led them in and out of each area of the station, pointing out all the original features he’d worked so hard to preserve and lingering in the signal box so that they could admire the gleaming dials, levers and cogs. In the ticket office, Nonno stood back to let them examine t
he reels of authentic tickets and to study the ticket punching machine. And everywhere the Preservation Society members looked, they saw happy smiling passengers, all apparently waiting to catch a train.

  They finished up in the tea rooms, where Nonna was serving up a mouth-watering array of homemade cakes and biscuits.

  ‘As you can see, we’ve got plenty of local support here, from volunteers to funding,’ Ben said, as the men sipped their drinks. ‘I think we’ve got everything we need to make Polwhipple station a great addition to the Bodmin and Wenford Railway.’

  Gina stepped forwards. ‘In fact, the only thing that’s missing is the train.’

  ‘So, what do you think?’ Ben said, his tone steady. ‘Do you think Polwhipple station is worth extending the line for?’

  The men looked at one another. One of them took a large bite of the lemon drizzle cake Nonna had insisted he take and chewed slowly. Another nibbled on a biscotti. Gina held her breath; surely they couldn’t say no?

  ‘I think you’ve got yourself a deal, Ben,’ Lemon Drizzle man said, and the others nodded. ‘How soon can we start work?’

  Two weeks later, Gina stood with Ben outside the Palace on a bright Monday morning, the key to the silver double doors in her hand. Gorran had removed the essentials from his cluttered office and would spend the next few weeks working from home. The projector had been draped with protective dust cloths and the projection room itself was locked. It was business as usual for Ferrelli’s, however, although Ben had sealed the window that faced into the foyer to minimise the dust that would inevitably be flying around.

  Hefting his toolbox in one hand, Ben looked at Gina. ‘Ready?’

  She nodded. ‘As ready as I’ll ever be. I really hope we haven’t made the biggest mistake of our lives here.’

  ‘Nah,’ Ben said. ‘This is the beginning of a beautiful refurbishment. You’ll see.’

  Gina sighed and squared her shoulders. ‘Okay. Let’s go and see what we’ve let ourselves in for.’

  Turning the key in the lock, she pushed open the doors. With one final look at Ben, the pair of them vanished inside the picture house by the sea.