The Cinema at Starlight Creek

by Alli Sinclair

  * * *

  Lena woke the next morning and, with her eyes still closed, reached beside her. All her fingers found was a cool mattress. Sitting up with a start, she studied the crinkled sheets where Reeves had lain after their lovemaking. Those few precious hours they’d shared made her realise what she’d been missing since she’d faked a relationship with Pierre. Were the accolades and glamour and material wealth worth the sacrifice of being in the arms of someone she cared about?

  Getting out of bed, Lena went in the shower and turned the water up to high, enjoying the sting of the heat on her skin. Visions of a naked Reeves made her temperature soar and she quickly twisted the taps to cold. Exiting the shower, she prepared for a day at the studio, a nervous energy rippling through her. How would she cope seeing Reeves today?

  It didn’t bother her that Reeves had left in the dead of night without waking her. After all, sleep was a commodity neither of them had the luxury of enjoying so it was a matter of taking it while they could, but, if she were entirely honest, she didn’t want this to be a one-off. How could she when she felt so physically and emotionally connected to him? The only other time she’d experienced that was with Charlie when they’d first started dating. She’d been sucked in so easily until his drinking started, then him undermining her confidence … no. She could not let any thought of Charlie ruin this moment. She’d spent too long trying to get him out of her mind and even after seeing his sister, Dotty, she’d struggled with erasing the anger and disappointment every time she thought of him.

  Lena sat on the stool in front of the dressing table. Maybe she should find Dotty and get this over with. Lena had thought it all had been said and done but a small doubt had started nagging her ever since the HUAC men said they would dig deeper. The last thing she needed was Dotty blabbing Lena’s past to strangers. Though Dotty hadn’t done so yet, why would she start now? No. Lena had to leave well enough alone and trust that Dotty would continue with her silence.

  By the time Lena arrived at the studio, the place was buzzing and everyone was in full swing. She went directly to her dressing room where she was met by Yvonne and Vanessa, who already had the day’s make-up and costumes ready to go.

  Yvonne made a point of looking at her watch.

  ‘Yes, I’m sorry.’ Lena collapsed onto the chair in front of the well-lit mirror. ‘I’m only a few minutes late.’

  ‘You’re never late.’ Vanessa trowelled on the make-up.

  ‘There’s a first for everything,’ said Lena, closing her eyes while Vanessa did her magic. Even though she couldn’t see the expression on her friends’ faces, Lena suspected looks of surprise were being exchanged.

  ‘Mmhmm.’ Vanessa worked more quickly than normal. She started on Lena’s hair. ‘Slept through the alarm, did we?’

  ‘Yes,’ said Lena, a little too hastily. They all fell into silence while Vanessa worked on Lena.

  ‘You’re done!’ Vanessa stepped back to admire her work. ‘You really don’t need me. You’re gorgeous without all the make-up and perfectly styled hair.’

  ‘Thank you.’ Lena got off the chair and Yvonne fussed with the dress.

  ‘First kissing scene today, huh?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Nervous?’ asked Vanessa.

  ‘No.’

  ‘Liar.’ Yvonne laughed and adjusted the strap on Lena’s shoulder. ‘You’ll do great, especially with such a handsome and charming leading man. Makes for a nice change.’ Yvonne froze, her eyes wide. ‘Not that I meant Pierre wasn’t charming or handsome. It’s just that … uh …’

  ‘It’s okay, Yvonne,’ Lena said. ‘You’ve never been a fan. A lot of people weren’t. His arrogance put many people off but deep down he was actually a nice person.’

  ‘Nice people don’t dump someone without telling them then go to a new studio,’ said Vanessa.

  ‘Look, what’s done is done. I’ve moved on, and you ladies need to do the same.’ Lena bent down to check herself in the mirror. ‘Wow. That is some very red lipstick.’

  ‘Sirens wear red,’ said Vanessa. ‘No more soft pinks for you. You’ll get used to it.’

  ‘I’m sure I will.’ Lena chose not to mention that the dress showed a bit too much cleavage for her liking. There was no point in upsetting Yvonne as well. If Henry had an issue with it, then he would certainly let them know.

  Lena walked towards the door, her balance uneasy in the ridiculously high heels.

  ‘Go get ’em!’ shouted Yvonne.

  ‘Knock their socks off!’ yelled Vanessa.

  ‘To dream is to live.’ Lena quoted one of her lines as she stepped out the door and into an unknown future.

  CHAPTER 29

  1994 – Starlight Creek, Queensland

  Claire sat in her ute out the front of Scarlet’s café, unsure if she wanted to enter. Now that filming had finished, the cast had left Starlight Creek, as had the rest of the crew and the production team. Phil had taken off to Cairns for a couple of weeks’ holiday and had done his best to convince Claire she should go with him. She had ended up cancelling her Bali trip, though not because she was going to meet Phil and his wife, Leila, in Cairns. Claire’s heart just wasn’t in holiday mode, no matter the destination. When she’d told Phil to go ahead and she might join them later they all knew it wouldn’t happen.

  It had taken a few days for the team to pack up the cinema due to the ongoing arson investigation and Claire had laid low, doing her job and staying clear of the townsfolk. Although that wasn’t a problem as apparently she had the plague. Every time someone saw her, they’d cross the street and avert their eyes.

  After taking a deep breath and getting out of the ute, Claire opened the door to the café. The bell tinkled, and Laura looked up from flicking glossy pages.

  ‘Oh, it’s you.’ Laura went back to her magazine.

  ‘Is Scarlet here?’ Claire tried to ignore the stink-eye from Laura, but it was hard not to take it personally.

  ‘Scarlet!’ Laura yelled over her shoulder.

  A few seconds later Scarlet appeared from the back, wiping her hands on a tea towel. ‘Oh, hey.’

  ‘Hey,’ said Claire, her voice shaking. Damn it. She thought she’d be fine.

  ‘Coffee?’

  Claire nodded and sat on the nearest chair. Laura alternated between reading the magazine and glaring at Claire until Scarlet shooed Laura into the back room. ‘I need you to sort those crates of soft drink.’

  Laura headed towards the door but not before throwing Claire her best steely glare.

  ‘I’m sorry about her.’ Scarlet arrived at the table with two cups of coffee.

  ‘It’s all right,’ said Claire, even though it wasn’t. ‘Everyone is on the anti-Claire bandwagon these days.’

  ‘I’m not.’ Scarlet squeezed Claire’s hand.

  ‘Thank you, but you’re the only one.’ Claire sighed. ‘How’s Hattie?’

  ‘Good, from what I hear. She’s left the hospital and is staying with Luke and his dad. The turn gave her a fright but according to the doctors she was bound to have a health scare sooner rather than later. And,’ she looked at Claire intently, ‘it had nothing to do with the news of the cinema. It was just bad timing.’

  ‘I don’t believe that.’

  ‘When did you get your medical degree?’ asked Scarlet.

  ‘Very funny. So what does that mean? A health scare?’

  ‘Turns out she hadn’t been feeling well for some time and hadn’t fully explained her symptoms to the doctor. Apparently, she’d thought it would pass.’ Scarlet straightened the sugar packets in the container in front of her. ‘They’re doing more tests but she’s not telling anyone the details.’

  ‘Oh.’

  ‘Hattie getting upset over the cinema probably saved her life. By having a turn and going in to get checked out, they ran a battery of tests and can now work on improving her health.’

  ‘It doesn’t make me feel any less guilty,’ Claire said. ‘I feel terrible.’
/>   Scarlet hesitated but finally said, ‘You really don’t need to.’

  Claire bent her head forward. ‘I just don’t know how to make it right. I made a promise to Hattie and I broke it.’

  ‘How long are you planning on beating yourself up about this?’

  Scarlet’s blunt question took her by surprise. ‘Until Hattie and Luke forgive me.’

  ‘Ah.’ Scarlet stirred her coffee. ‘Now we’ve come to the crux of it. How serious did it get between you and him?’

  ‘What?’ Claire asked.

  ‘No need to be surprised. This town has eyes and ears.’

  ‘Well, the eyes and ears should know that I had nothing to do with that fire.’

  ‘True, and it will all come out in the end.’ She put the spoon on the table. ‘So, how serious?’

  ‘Between me and Luke?’ Claire looked up at the ceiling then back at the only friend she had in Starlight Creek. ‘There was potential but …’

  ‘But?’

  ‘But we’re so different. I travel for work, he loves Starlight Creek. He doesn’t think you can ever have it all, I do.’

  ‘Prove it,’ challenged Scarlet.

  ‘What?’

  ‘Prove to him you can have it all. Have you had any bites on projects you’ve pitched?’

  ‘Nope. Nothing.’

  ‘Well, you need to change that somehow.’ Scarlet made it sound so easy.

  ‘I’ve been building my career for years and now, electrical fault or not, this disaster is going to have a massive impact on my employability.’ Not to mention Tony gunning for her.

  ‘Why not create your own luck?’

  ‘How?’ asked Claire.

  Scarlet laughed. ‘I don’t know! That’s something you have to figure out. When Laura and I moved here I winged it big-time. I had no idea what was going to happen but all I knew was that I had to try.’

  ‘I’ve been trying forever.’

  ‘Then try something different. Maybe it’s your approach.’

  Claire twisted the serviette in her hands. ‘Sometimes it feels too hard.’

  ‘I never pegged you as a quitter.’

  ‘Huh?’ She couldn’t believe Scarlet was talking with her so frankly. And it hurt because she’d just hit the bullseye.

  Scarlet stood and collected the mugs. ‘Look, I’ve gotta get back to work. Feel free to linger here as long as you like.’

  ‘Thanks,’ said Claire.

  Scarlet set about organising the café while Claire stared out the window. What was she hanging around for? Work had finished and all she needed to do was get in the ute and escape Starlight Creek. Yet she couldn’t convince herself to do it. The only way to cut the tie that was holding her back was to confront it head on.

  Claire put money on the table and gathered up her keys and bag. ‘Thanks for the talk, Scarlet.’

  ‘Any time.’ She finished wrapping the slices of banana cake. ‘And Claire.’

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘You need to believe in yourself more.’

  She left Scarlet’s café feeling more unsettled than ever. The talk with Scarlet had cleared up a few things, especially about Hattie’s health. Claire got in her ute and started the engine, leaving it idling while she stared at the steering wheel like it was some crystal ball. She could just leave Starlight Creek. There were quite a few people who would be more than happy to see the back of her. Though that wasn’t how she was brought up. Facing consequences, owning up to mistakes even if it wasn’t entirely one’s fault … that’s who she was. Not some scaredy cat who skipped town because she was frightened of the fallout.

  She chucked the ute into gear and drove slowly through Starlight Creek. Although nothing had physically changed in the town, it seemed different. An air of division still clung to the bricks and mortar, but there was something else. What was it?

  Claire crossed over the tracks leading to the mill and headed down the road that led her to the last place she wanted to be right now. Though she had to do this. Somehow.

  When she pulled up at Luke’s property, she parked on the side of the road like the first time she’d come here. It felt like a lifetime ago that she’d begged him to come around to her way of thinking yet here she was, about to plead her case once more.

  Was it really worth it?

  Memories flooded in of Luke’s blue eyes surrounded by smile lines, his warm touch, his engaging laugh, the way he reached for her hand, the excitement when he talked about helping young kids through art, the kisses that sent her mind and body into a flurry of desire …

  Claire stood at the gate, one foot on the property and the other on the road. Stay? Go?

  A car pulled up behind and she turned around to find Don and Hattie staring at her.

  Claire waved and forced a smile, despite her desire to flee.

  Hattie returned the wave. She rolled down the window. ‘Come up for tea.’

  Claire walked up the gravel driveway, following Don’s car. The fact he hadn’t offered her a lift did not bode well for when she arrived at the house.

  By the time she got there, Hattie was sitting on the swing, her floral dress perfectly pressed and hair beautifully styled. For someone who had been so sick, she looked rather marvellous and bright. Inside the house she could hear banging of crockery in the kitchen.

  Hattie patted the cushion next to her and Claire took a seat.

  ‘How are you doing?’ Claire asked.

  ‘As well as can be,’ said Hattie. ‘How are you?’

  ‘I’m so very sorry.’ The tears that Claire had fought to keep at bay flowed and she had lost the willpower to stop them.

  ‘There, there.’ Hattie patted Claire’s knee. ‘I know you didn’t mean for it to happen.’

  ‘But it did,’ she sobbed. ‘And you trusted me!’

  ‘Listen to me,’ Hattie said sternly.

  Claire sucked in another sob.

  ‘If there is anything I have learned in my years on this earth, it’s no matter what our intentions are, things don’t always pan out the way we expect. Life is way too short to hold grudges.’

  ‘But—’

  ‘Now, now,’ said Hattie. ‘I can see you’re hurting and my great-nephew is not making it easier.’

  ‘He hates me, doesn’t he?’

  Hattie’s laugh lifted Claire’s spirits just a little. ‘He’s more stubborn than a Mallee bull. And I promise that he doesn’t hate you.’

  Claire managed a smile—the first one in days.

  ‘The report came back this morning and the police said it definitely was an electrical fire. It could have happened at any time.’

  ‘And it had nothing to do with the men from Ashton?’

  Hattie shook her head.

  ‘Thank goodness.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Because so many bad things have happened that involve me. I’m beginning to think I’m cursed.’

  ‘Nonsense,’ said Hattie. ‘Sweetheart, this is life. Things are not going to always go our way and we just have to pick up the pieces and get on with it.’

  ‘I know.’ Claire crossed her legs at the ankles. ‘Some days are harder than others.’

  ‘True.’

  Claire shifted so she could face Hattie. ‘How are you really doing? Will you get better?’

  Hattie’s smile appeared forced. ‘I’m not a spring chicken anymore and whether we like it or not, our bodies defy our active minds. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a privilege getting old, especially when …’ A breath caught in her throat.

  ‘Especially when?’

  ‘Especially when we’ve lost others way before their time.’ Hattie sat straight. ‘My heart’s not good, Claire. It’s only a matter of time …’

  ‘No,’ Claire said forcefully. ‘You’ve got plenty of years ahead of you.’

  ‘Oh, darling girl, I wish I did. I’ve had an interesting life and although there are some years I’d rather forget, it was the path I travelled, regrets and all.’

  ‘Wh
at do you regret?’

  ‘Ah.’ Hattie waggled her finger. ‘Some things are better left unsaid.’

  Claire didn’t push the issue, especially now that she and Hattie were in a good place.

  ‘I need to ask you something,’ said Claire.

  ‘He’ll be home shortly.’

  ‘That’s not it.’ Although it was good to know she had some time up her sleeve before facing Luke. ‘I was wondering if you would mind giving me the keys to the cinema.’

  Hattie’s lips drew into a thin line.

  ‘Just for a day.’

  ‘I don’t know, Claire.’

  ‘I absolutely understand your reluctance and if I were you, I’d say no as well. I desperately want you to trust me but I also understand you have no reason to.’ Claire looked down at her lap and realised her fingers on both hands were crossed. ‘There’s something I need to do before I go.’

  Hattie kept her eyes trained on the mountains in the distance, her body still. A minute ticked by and Claire worried that she’d gone too far.

  ‘I don’t think it’s a good idea,’ Hattie said slowly.

  ‘What if Luke came with me?’

  ‘That would be his decision.’

  Claire’s shoulders dropped. She didn’t like her chances. ‘If I can convince Luke to come with me then can I please go to the cinema? Just one last time.’

  Hattie nodded but she didn’t appear to have faith in her decision.

  The screen door opened and Don came out with a tray of tea and cups and saucers. He placed them on the table next to Hattie and poured her a cup. Not once did his eyes meet Claire’s. She desperately wanted to apologise once more but Claire suspected bringing it all up again would just make things worse and could possibly change Hattie’s mind.

  Don went back inside without making Claire a cup of tea. She set about making her own.

  ‘He thinks I’m a fool talking to you.’ Hattie sipped from her cup. ‘Angry or not, he still makes a good cuppa.’

  Claire laughed. ‘Thank you.’

  ‘For?’

  ‘Thank you for giving me a chance.’

  ‘Sometimes a second chance is all we need.’ Hattie put down the cup. ‘You’re welcome to stay here until Luke arrives. I hope you will forgive me but I need to retire.’