The Cinema at Starlight Creek

by Alli Sinclair

  Pierre’s gaze rested on the group of chorus girls in the far corner. Even from this distance Lena could see they were shivering in their tiny sequined outfits.

  Lena walked over to take her place under the maple tree. The set designers had done a magnificent job. The leaves were so bright and green they looked like they’d been picked off a real tree and the papier-mâché branches and trunk appeared real. Maybe they were.

  ‘Ready, Miss Lee?’ Henry asked.

  ‘Yes, yes. Of course!’ She lifted her chin, switching into business mode. Pierre stood to the side, waiting for his cue. Like the seasoned professional that she was, Lena launched into her speech, lamenting about how broken she was and how she could never fall in love again. What was to become of her? A woman on the shelf, craving affection from a man.

  Her heart and head protested with every word that tumbled from her mouth. She felt like the world’s biggest hypocrite and a kernel of loathing grew in her belly.

  ‘Cut!’ yelled Henry. ‘I need more emotion, Lena—sadness, despair. Take it from the start.’

  Lena cleared her throat and smoothed down her dress. Every take cost money and she had always prided herself on getting it right the first time, or, at worst, the second. Forcing herself to concentrate, she waited on Henry’s signal and she started again, trying to force her voice and facial expressions to match the script.

  ‘Cut!’ Henry ran his hand through his hair. ‘Again!’

  Once more, Lena tried but her heart screamed even louder.

  ‘Cut!’ Henry strode over and said in a harsh whisper, ‘What’s the problem?’

  ‘I don’t know.’ Her voice shook.

  ‘I understand you’re tired, we all are. Just get this right then we can shoot the next two scenes and go home at a reasonable hour.’ Henry marched back to his position off-screen.

  Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, Lena willed her head to rule over her heart. This is just a movie. The fate of the world does not rest on my shoulders. This time, Lena gave it her all and the words flowed freely. The music started, and she broke into song, her dance moves smooth, her voice pitch perfect. By the time Pierre entered the scene, Lena had embraced her role, finally in control of her feelings.

  Pierre reached for her hand and their skin met.

  Her voice caught in her throat.

  Her step faltered.

  ‘Cut!’ Henry waved his arms about. ‘Lena!’

  ‘I’m sorry!’ She sounded as exasperated as she felt. ‘I’m really sorry!’

  ‘Take a break. Pierre, let’s get your scene done then we’ll go back to you and Lena when she’s all refreshed.’

  Although grateful to leave the set, she went to her dressing room with guilt trailing behind. She’d never messed up that badly before, so why now?

  Slumping in the chair in front of the mirror, she leaned her elbows on the table and held her head in her hands. Her whole body ached. Her brain felt numb.

  ‘Miss Lee?’ A woman’s voice came from behind the door.

  ‘Yes?’ She jumped upright, widened her eyes and blinked. One of her fake eyelashes fell onto the table and she scooped it up.

  ‘Mr Newman has asked me to tell you to be on set in ten minutes.’ The voice was quiet and gentle.

  Getting up, Lena walked over and opened the door. Anna May stood in the hallway, her tiny frame covered in goosebumps.

  ‘Come in.’ She motioned for Anna May to enter and Lena passed her dressing gown to the chorus girl. Anna May shook her head. ‘Please, take it. Your lips are blue.’

  ‘I’m fine, really.’ Anna May grimaced and her body shuddered.

  ‘You’re freezing. No wonder with that thin material.’

  Anna May finally accepted the dressing gown and wrapped it around her.

  ‘How long have I been away?’ asked Lena.

  ‘Almost an hour.’

  ‘What?’ The last thing she remembered was closing her eyes and burying her head in her hands. No wonder her wrists ached.

  ‘Mr Newman said he hopes you feel refreshed now.’ Anna May handed the dressing gown back and moved towards the door.

  ‘Anna May,’ Lena said. ‘How are you doing?’

  The young chorus girl turned to face her. ‘I am fine, Miss Lee.’

  ‘How many hours do you and the other girls spend on set or rehearsing the big musical numbers?’

  ‘It depends. On average, though, I’d say around sixteen hours a day.’

  ‘How many days a week?’

  ‘Six. Sometimes seven.’ Anna May frowned. ‘Why are you asking me this?’

  ‘Because I was wondering if things had changed since I was in your position.’

  ‘I think it’s always been this way. Sometimes we rush from one set to another, filming two different movies.’

  ‘Hmmm.’ Lena turned to fix her stray eyelash in the mirror. Via the reflection, she looked at Anna May. ‘How about the men in the chorus?’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘What kind of hours do they put in?’

  ‘About the same, although there’s usually more work for women.’

  ‘And they normally wear long pants and shirts, jackets and such, right?’

  ‘Yes.’ Wariness spread across Anna May’s face. ‘It’s all right, though. It’s nice weather here in Los Angeles so we don’t get cold very often. I just feel the cold when I’m tired.’

  ‘No wonder you’re tired with the hours you do.’ Lena finished fixing her eyelash and turned around, resting her buttocks on the table. ‘Do they still pay peanuts?’

  Anna May glanced down the corridor then concentrated on her strappy dance shoes.

  ‘I imagine it’s still less than the men,’ said Lena.

  Anna May shifted from foot to foot. She finally looked up. ‘It’s just the way it is.’

  Lena had so much more to say, but she refrained from dragging Anna May into it. The poor girl had enough to deal with.

  ‘It’s been like that for a long time,’ Lena said. ‘Please tell Mr Newman I’ll be there in just a moment.’

  ‘Of course.’ Anna May took a step then halted. ‘Miss Lee?’

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘Thank you for asking how I am. No one seems to know I exist around here. I’m just a girl who dances and sings in the background.’

  Lena gave a gentle smile. ‘You are so much more than that, Anna May. If you have dreams, pursue them and don’t let anyone deter you.’

  Anna May curtsied. ‘Thank you, Miss Lee.’

  ‘Anna May,’ Lena got up and rested a hand on the chorus girl’s bony shoulder, ‘one day things will change and you and every other woman working in this industry will get the recognition you deserve. It’s only a matter of time.’

  CHAPTER 17

  1994 – Starlight Creek, Queensland

  The morning after the surprise screening at the cinema Claire felt rattled. She’d tossed and turned, images of Luke running through her mind. Nothing appeared as it seemed with Luke Jackson and she found herself enjoying—and craving—his company, despite their rocky start.

  Claire jumped out of her single bed and opened the curtains. A few blocks away were the rolling sugarcane fields, framed by the hazy blue mountains in the background. She loved the way the sun had started peeking over the horizon, casting a glow across the valley that was accompanied with a chorus of singing birds. Such a peaceful moment before the busyness of the day commenced.

  There was something magical about Starlight Creek and she wished she had more time to take it all in. Production was in full swing and she barely had time to breathe. Although she did manage a moment in time to make out with Luke Jackson.

  A sigh escaped her lips.

  Given the dramas that had resulted from James and Annalise getting together, Claire was now consumed with guilt—and fear—over what had transpired with Luke. What if he got upset with her—for what, she wasn’t sure—and he talked Hattie into cancelling the contract? Just like Robert Dennis had ca
ncelled his deal with the production after his daughter had got tangled up with James?

  Nope. This thinking was ridiculous.

  Last night Luke’s affection for her had shone through. They’d managed to halt things before they went too far, even though her body wanted to give in to his sensual touch, his breathtaking kisses. It had been a beautiful, romantic evening.

  But this was dangerous ground she’d tiptoed onto and it risked making her a hypocrite.

  Claire got up and readied herself for the day. By the time she arrived at the makeshift production office behind the cinema, Nigel was ensconced behind a wall of paperwork.

  Claire knocked on the door. ‘Morning.’

  Nigel looked up and smiled. ‘Good morning.’ His face fell. ‘Everything okay?’

  ‘There’s something you need to know.’

  He motioned for her to come in and sit down and she went through the conversations she’d had with Annalise and James. Nigel listened while scratching his head with his pencil.

  ‘So, you see,’ Claire concluded, ‘we’re playing with people’s lives here.’

  ‘Celebrity comes with drawbacks.’

  ‘I get that, sure, but James seems to have changed and I believe he really is in love with Annalise. We all know the media loves to make up all kinds of things about celebrities, especially if they have a rebellious reputation, but what happens when fact and fantasy are mixed up? I’m not saying that James is an angel, his long list of exes is proof of that, but what if his image as a playboy has been blown out of proportion? What would Robert Dennis think if James had a reputation for being the bookish type that stayed at home and played chess?’

  ‘The outcome could have been vastly different,’ said Nigel.

  ‘Exactly.’

  ‘Look, we can sit here all day and debate the reporting in the glossy mags versus real life, but the fact of the matter is I have this series to finish and I cannot afford for anyone to get distracted. James can figure out his love life afterwards.’

  ‘All right,’ she said. Nigel did have a point. It wasn’t like they’d be filming for a year. The production would wrap up shortly and James and Annalise could figure out whether they were an item or if it was a fling.

  Ugh.

  None of this was her business. Aside from doing her job, Claire’s biggest concern was making sure things didn’t get weird between her and Luke. She just needed to keep her distance and finish what she’d been employed to do. Although last night was very … Stop it!

  ‘I’m off to get coffee. Want some?’ she asked.

  ‘There’s some over there.’ Nigel pointed to the urn of boiling water and the jar of Nescafe sitting beside it.

  ‘I’m from Melbourne,’ she said, which, in her mind, summed it all up. Having grown up in Carlton, she’d been surrounded by Italian friends who had educated her on the finer points of good coffee. And in Starlight Creek, there was only one place that came close to a decent brew.

  She set off down the street to Scarlet’s café, the air still cool before the heat of the day. When Claire arrived, she found the café closed.

  Maybe Scarlet’s alarm hadn’t gone off? ‘Damn.’

  ‘Nice language,’ said a voice she recognised.

  Claire spun to find James in a sweaty t-shirt and shorts.

  ‘Have you been running?’ She didn’t mean to sound so surprised.

  ‘Yes,’ he said, like it was his usual thing. He looked around, arms outstretched like Maria from The Sound of Music. ‘Isn’t this amazing? If I’d known how beautiful this place was at this hour, I’d be up this time every day.’

  ‘I thought you were normally arriving home at this hour,’ she quipped then realised she’d bought into the rumours in the glossy mags as well. Shame on her.

  ‘I am a new me.’ He jutted out his chin.

  ‘I can see. I’m pleased for you.’

  ‘This being fit thing is working. Check this out.’ He lifted his shirt and she caught an eyeful of a very taut six pack.

  ‘Impressive,’ she said, not exactly comfortable with a man showing her his body at 5.30 am. Well, in other circumstances she wouldn’t object, though not with James …

  ‘It keeps my mind off things.’

  ‘Oh?’ The second she said it, she regretted it.

  ‘I really miss Annalise.’

  Claire pulled her lips tight.

  ‘What?’ he asked.

  ‘I’m going to get killed for this but it’s not anyone’s business to tell you or Annalise what to do.’

  James rested against the telephone pole. The yellowy-orange of the rising sun shone behind him, highlighting his lanky physique, strong jawline and perfectly wavy hair that had women, and some men, ga-ga.

  ‘What are you saying?’ he asked.

  ‘I’m saying that Annalise asked me to give you a letter and I told her I couldn’t. Robert Dennis saw me talking to her and he threatened to make sure the production fails.’

  ‘Bloody hell.’ James looked at the ground and shook his head. ‘He’d make an excellent father-in-law.’

  ‘Ha!’ Claire stopped laughing when she caught his solemn expression. ‘Are you thinking about marrying her?’

  ‘Why not?’

  ‘But you’ve only just met, and your life is different to hers and … I could go on for a while.’

  ‘I’m tired, Claire. I’m tired of this industry putting labels on people and expecting us to behave certain ways. I made my name being the playboy, but I’m done with it. I want a quiet life now.’

  ‘You’re going to give up acting?’

  He shook his head. ‘No way! But I’m going to retreat to the quiet life when I’m not doing the publicity rounds. I want to live in Ashton. With Annalise.’

  ‘Oh.’ She couldn’t manage anything else.

  ‘You think I’m crazy, don’t you?’

  ‘Actually, I don’t. I get it.’ She’d enjoyed this trip to rural Queensland more than she’d expected and it wasn’t just because of one Mr Luke Jackson. The incredible scenery of the sugarcane fields, the forests and the mountains, and the possibility of a quieter life in Starlight Creek had struck a chord. It would be hard to leave. ‘Listen, James, I understand you wanting to be with Annalise and I really hope it works out for you—’

  ‘It will.’

  She admired his unwavering self-assurance. ‘Though I do agree with Nigel that perhaps it would be best—’

  ‘Nigel is in on this?’

  Damn it. She should have been more careful. ‘Yeah, I’m sorry. I didn’t know what to do as we can’t risk Robert Dennis turning up and wrecking things.’

  ‘How would he do that?’

  ‘You didn’t see the fire in his eyes. He was ready to kill you with his bare hands—in front of witnesses.’

  ‘He was a bit upset, I guess.’

  Claire placed her hand on her hip.

  ‘Fine,’ said James. ‘He was irate. I don’t blame him. If I had a daughter, I wouldn’t want her with me.’

  ‘There’s nothing wrong with you.’

  ‘You mean that?’

  ‘Of course.’ For someone who oozed confidence on-screen, James lacked it in his personal life. Which just goes to show there was probably less fuel behind the media fires of James sleeping with every woman that crossed his path. ‘I like this new James with the self-help books and willingness to get out and exercise. I also like this new James who seems to have discovered love.’

  ‘Yeah.’ He dragged the toe of his runner in the dirt. ‘Love’s complicated.’

  ‘More than it needs to be, sometimes.’ She looked at her watch. Oh shit. ‘Right, I need to get back to Nigel and you need to be on set soon. See you there.’

  ‘Hey, Claire.’

  ‘Yep?’

  ‘Thank you,’ he said.

  ‘For what?’

  ‘For not judging me or having expectations of who I’m supposed to be. For just accepting who I am, warts and all.’

  ‘James, w
e all have different masks for different situations—work, home, with lovers, friends, alone—everyone’s a chameleon, whether we admit it or not.’

  ‘You’re very perceptive.’

  ‘People are very interesting creatures. Although, I don’t know if you can ever fully know someone.’

  ‘I guess that’s why we’re in the business we are—we get to play lots of different characters to try to unravel the mystery of what makes humans do the things we do.’

  ‘That’s so true!’ Wow. James really was full of surprises. She looked at her watch again. ‘I really need to go.’

  James stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight. The emotional warmth of his hug touched her heart, and she relaxed into his embrace.

  Over his shoulder she saw a battered yellow car with the bright blue eyes of Starlight Creek’s resident artist staring at her as he drove past.

  * * *

  The day went quickly as Claire rushed from one part of the set to the other. James seemed more focussed than usual, and she figured it was because he was determined to wrap up and get back to his beloved Annalise. Logically, those two didn’t work, but when it came to emotions, all rationality went out the window. For everyone except Claire. She’d yet to have a significant romantic relationship in her life. She’d always put it down to the nature of her job, with her travelling and working all over Australia and New Zealand. Or was there something else stopping her?

  The day’s shooting had finished and Claire got to work preparing for the next day. As she did so, she kept an ear out for familiar footsteps that always came as soon as the rest of the crew had left.

  Silence.

  Well, they had finished early so maybe Luke was still on his way. Claire loved the basket of Hattie’s goodies she’d been receiving, though she loved the company of the delivery man more.

  Claire checked the last of the doors even though she knew they were locked. She’d developed her habit of triple-checking locks from an early age, having grown up in the crime-ridden inner city before it was trendy. The old grimy buildings of her childhood had been replaced by fashionable shops and chic cafés and pubs.

  Claire shook her head. She doubted leaving anything unlocked in Starlight Creek would be an issue, but it wasn’t worth the risk. You never knew who would wander through town and cause a problem.