The Cinema at Starlight Creek

by Alli Sinclair

  They arrived on set and Henry hurried up to them. ‘We’re not quite ready.’

  ‘That’s okay,’ she said, relieved she could spend a little more time preparing. Seeing Jeanne then Reeves had rattled her, and she needed a moment to get into the right frame of mind. She pointed at a chair in the far corner. ‘I’ll wait over there.’

  ‘Sure, sure.’ Henry buzzed away, and Reeves went over to a table and poured himself a coffee while she took a seat.

  Just breathe. Lena inhaled through her nostrils and exhaled through her mouth.

  ‘Miss Lee.’

  She jumped and gripped the wooden arms of the chair.

  ‘I’m sorry to startle you,’ said the young man with blue eyes and blonde hair.

  ‘It’s all right, really.’ She willed her body to relax.

  ‘I just wanted to introduce myself before we got started today.’

  ‘You’re Alan?’

  ‘Yes.’ He beamed. ‘I’m the man you’re going to kill.’

  Lena laughed and held out her hand. ‘Nice to meet you, Alan. I’m sorry about killing you today.’

  ‘It is an honour to die at your hands.’ Laughter danced in his eyes. ‘I hope you don’t mind me telling you how much I admire your work. I’ve followed your career for quite some time.’

  ‘Well, thank you, Alan. Your words are very kind.’ She spotted Henry on the set waving her over. ‘I believe we’re about to start.’

  Alan followed Lena over to Henry. ‘Ready?’

  ‘As I’ll ever be.’ Lena resisted the urge to adjust the dress once more. Yvonne had assured her this was perfect for this scene, though Lena was yet to be convinced, especially as her breasts felt like they were exploding over the low neckline.

  Lena, Reeves and Alan talked with Henry about their motivations and the emotions they’d be portraying during the scene. Once everything had been covered, Henry got them ready for blocking. Lena always likened it to choreographing a dance, where Henry would get the actors into the right positions, making sure the camera angles and lighting were what he envisioned. She didn’t know how he did it, but Henry always got the best from everyone.

  ‘Right, rehearsal!’ Henry yelled.

  Reeves took his place at the side of the set, out of the way but ready to enter when the time was right. Their eyes connected, and, for a fleeting moment, the world melted away. Their silent conversation said everything: I love you.

  Lena smiled as she moved her head from side to side, trying to loosen the muscles in her neck. She rested her arm on the mantelpiece and waited for Alan to take his mark.

  ‘Lena!’ Yvonne came up to her.

  ‘Off the set!’ yelled Henry.

  ‘She needs her purse!’ Yvonne thrust the glossy red purse at her friend. ‘Your prop’s in there.’

  Lena opened it and checked. ‘Thank you.’

  ‘No problem.’ Yvonne walked away, saying over her shoulder to Henry, ‘I was quick!’

  Henry rolled his eyes. ‘Places! One rehearsal, that’s all you’re getting.’

  She waited for the countdown and the signal. Taking a calm breath, she began. ‘You cannot blackmail me.’

  Alan stepped forward, his long legs and arms not quite coordinated. ‘I will do what is required to get the results I want.’

  ‘No one will believe you,’ she said, getting into full swing. Channelling her inner vixen, Lena slowly walked towards Alan. The dress restricted her movement and she found it difficult to sway her hips. It also didn’t help that her heels had started to pinch. With her face inches from Alan’s, she said, ‘Your plan is already thwarted.’

  Alan grabbed her by the hair and pulled her body against his.

  The door burst open and Reeves stormed through. He grabbed Alan and yanked him away.

  ‘Get your hands off her!’ shouted Reeves.

  Alan’s laugh was perfect. ‘She’s the one with her hands on me.’

  Reeves looked at Lena, anger roiling in his eyes.

  Boy, he can act.

  ‘Is this true?’ he demanded.

  ‘No!’ she shouted, her body tense. ‘He’s trying to blackmail me, but he can’t prove a thing.’

  ‘Oh, I can.’ Alan edged forward then turned to Reeves. ‘You should know she—’

  ‘Stop!’ Lena grabbed the pistol out of her purse and held it with both hands, aiming it at Alan. ‘Enough! No more lies!’

  Alan drew closer. ‘You’re not going to use it. You don’t have the courage.’

  ‘I do!’ she yelled, her hands shaking. Lena clicked off the safety, just like she’d been shown by the weapons specialist. It was scary enough holding a fake pistol, how would it feel with a real one? ‘Not one step closer.’

  Alan moved forward, and Reeves jumped on him. The men tussled, rolling over the sofa onto the floor, just as it had been choreographed. Lena skirted around the men, her pistol aimed at Alan, who appeared a little too enthusiastic about this fight scene.

  ‘Stop!’ she yelled. ‘Or I’ll shoot!’

  Alan reached up and grabbed for the pistol, just like he was meant to, but he grabbed too hard. She lost her balance, the tight dress restricting her. She toppled towards the floor, her finger squeezing the trigger.

  A loud bang resounded.

  Her arm jerked back with force and she fell hard.

  Lena dropped the pistol and lifted herself onto all fours. She used the sofa to stand unevenly as she’d lost a shoe in the scuffle.

  Alan lay slumped on top of Reeves, both men facing the ground. Neither man moved.

  ‘Bravo!’ said Henry. ‘Let’s get this on film.’

  Alan stood and wiped his brow. ‘That was louder than I thought it would be.’

  ‘We have a great props department,’ said Lena. She looked over at Reeves, who still lay on the floor. ‘Get up, lazybones.’

  Reeves didn’t move.

  ‘Reeves.’ His name caught in her throat. She kneeled down, her dress ripping at the back. ‘Reeves?’

  Lena shook him.

  ‘Stop messing about.’ She shook him again then saw dark red liquid oozing across the floorboards. ‘Oh god! No!’

  CHAPTER 34

  1994 – Starlight Creek, Queensland

  Claire shielded her eyes from the sun and looked at the ladders and wooden planks out the front of the cinema. Turning to Luke, she asked, ‘You’re sure Hattie will be out of town for as long as this takes?’

  ‘Yep. She hasn’t seen her cousin in Brisbane for years, so they’ll have lots to catch up on.’

  ‘She didn’t clue in that you were trying to get rid of her?’

  Luke laughed. ‘Absolutely she did but she also knew arguing would be futile. For once, I had the upper hand.’

  ‘Bet that doesn’t happen often,’ joked Claire.

  ‘Nope, not at all.’ Luke eyed off the plaster, paint and tools Claire had gathered. ‘Are you sure about this?’

  ‘Absolutely.’ She grabbed a trowel and bucket of plaster. ‘My parents used to renovate houses when we were kids and we’d get involved. And they specialised in Art Deco so I’m more than familiar with what’s needed to bring authenticity to the project.’

  ‘Is this why you wanted to work on the mini-series?’

  ‘Partly. Plus, the whole Amelia Elliott story is fascinating. Did you know she had to petition to get accepted into architecture school because women weren’t deemed suitable candidates?’

  ‘I had no idea.’

  ‘She’s such an inspiration. And if they hadn’t made a mini-series about her I would definitely have pushed to make a doco.’ She climbed up the ladder and onto the wood plank, balancing the bucket in her hand.

  ‘You’ve definitely done this before.’ He looked up at her.

  ‘I’ve also been known to help out on set when needed.’ She got a steady foothold while Luke climbed the ladder.

  ‘Hmm. A bit higher than I’d thought,’ he said.

  ‘It’s kinda nice being up here. If anyone wants to lyn
ch me, they’ll have to climb the ladder.’

  Luke laughed. ‘They have a hard time letting go.’

  ‘Well, as soon as I’m done here, I’ll leave and—’

  ‘Don’t.’

  ‘Don’t what?’ she asked.

  Luke grabbed her hand. ‘Don’t leave.’

  ‘Luke …’ She pulled her hand free. ‘It’s not fair to expect the other person to give up their life or dreams for a long-distance relationship. Although …’ She got the trowel ready. ‘No. Forget it.’

  ‘You can’t start something and not finish it.’

  She stood straight. ‘Well, we’ve started something but it’s going to have to finish. I don’t want it to end, I really don’t. I love being with you—you’re talented, you’re caring and you’re so goddamn sexy and I’m falling … have fallen … for you. And I’m petrified that if I stay here too much longer I’ll never leave.’

  ‘We can find a way.’ Luke rubbed his temples. ‘I swore I would never get involved with anyone from outside Starlight Creek and now look.’ He ran his fingers through her hair and she rested her head against his hand. ‘I’m doing everything I swore I wouldn’t.’

  ‘Let’s just concentrate on this for now.’ She concentrated on plastering the gaps, though her hands shook, and her throat hurt from keeping her emotions bundled inside. Quietly, she said, ‘I want us to enjoy the time we have together.’

  Luke didn’t answer as he turned to the task at hand. Upset by his silence, she continued crafting the plasterwork. Up close, it wasn’t anywhere near as bad as she’d expected. What a shame everything wasn’t like that.

  The sun beat down and she could feel her skin burning even though she had on a long-sleeved t-shirt. She adjusted her hat, but it flipped off and landed on the edge of the ladder. Claire reached for it and noticed a small group of townsfolk had gathered below. There was the woman she’d seen around with a baby, as well as Marcela, a few others she’d met at the pub, and even Colin from the newsagency had ventured onto the street. She waved but only Marcela returned the gesture.

  Luke stopped and looked at the silent group. He whispered to Claire, ‘You never fail to alienate people wherever you go.’

  Incensed, she opened her mouth, about to let fly but shut it when she noticed his cheeky smile. She threw a rag at his head.

  ‘What are you doing?’ yelled Colin.

  ‘He was being—’

  ‘Not that.’ He waved his hand dismissively. ‘What are you doing to Hattie’s cinema?’

  ‘We’re organising a surprise,’ Claire yelled back.

  ‘She is not going to like this!’ Colin shouted.

  ‘She will love it.’ Luke peered over the edge. ‘You’re welcome to help us.’

  ‘Not with her at the helm.’ Colin stormed off and the rest trickled away.

  Claire looked at Luke. ‘You were right.’

  ‘About what?’

  ‘I’ve alienated just about everyone in Starlight Creek.’

  ‘Claire.’ He held her hand. ‘This town has been divided for as long as I can remember. It wasn’t just the backpackers that caused strife. I have no idea what started it, but Starlight Creek has always been a town in denial. We like to think we’re a community but, as you’ve seen, we’re far from it.’

  ‘It’s odd,’ she said. ‘Though Scarlet and Laura have been accepted.’

  ‘They have, though only to a degree,’ said Luke. ‘Starlight Creek is a hard town to crack unless you’ve been here for generations. Even Hattie found it difficult to assimilate once she came back.’

  ‘Where was she?’

  ‘She was in Sydney for some time.’ Luke wiped his forehead. ‘How about we take a break?’

  ‘Sure.’ She climbed down the ladder, looking forward to getting out of the hot sun for a while. ‘I’ll grab us something from Scarlet’s.’

  ‘Thank you. I might go call Hattie and check she’s settled in to her cousin’s place.’

  Claire waved at Luke as he crossed the road to the phone box. She’d gotten used to having a mobile phone with her and had lamented giving it back once production had wound up. Maybe one day she could afford her own as it came in mighty handy.

  She walked under the shade of the verandahs, careful to avoid eye contact with Colin. Relieved at avoiding detection, she kept her head down, Scarlet’s café in sight.

  ‘Miss Montgomery.’

  Crap.

  ‘Yes?’ She used her sweetest voice and plastered on a smile before she turned to face Colin.

  ‘Why are you doing that?’

  ‘Repairing the facade of Hattie’s cinema?’

  He arched an eyebrow. ‘I don’t see you doing anything else.’

  ‘The insurance is looking after the inside.’ She didn’t like her defensive tone but couldn’t help it.

  ‘Yes, well, I’m not talking about that.’ Colin closed his mouth and she waited for him to say something. The silence dragged on and she wondered how long this weird stand-off would last. ‘If you think renovating the front of the cinema is going to get you in the good books, it won’t.’

  ‘To be honest, Colin, I don’t care what you think. I’m doing this for a lady who has been very kind to me, even when I let her down. She could have chastised me and made me feel like I was the lowest person on earth—and I wouldn’t have blamed her. Instead, she realised that my intentions were nothing but honourable and I would give anything to take back what happened. But I can’t.’ She was on a roll and couldn’t stop. ‘So I am trying to bring some sunshine to her life by doing something nice for her. It’s not to win Hattie over. It’s not a bribe. It has nothing to do with anyone else in Starlight Creek except Hattie Fitzpatrick.’

  ‘You look way too cosy with her great-nephew.’

  ‘It’s none of your business,’ she said. ‘I really don’t care if you have an issue with me. However, I suggest you get a mirror and hold it up to yourself and to the rest of the town, because there are more serious issues around here than a mini-series being made.’

  ‘You almost burned down the cinema.’

  Claire inhaled slowly. She counted to ten. It didn’t work. ‘The problems in this town are not from outsiders—it is you. All of you. And before you say anything, I am not perfect, that’s for sure, but at least I have the guts to examine who I am and work on what can be improved. This town is toxic. I have no idea why I once thought this was paradise.’

  Colin held his head in his hands and she immediately felt terrible.

  ‘Colin, I’m so—’

  ‘You’re right.’

  ‘Pardon?’ She’d never expected this.

  ‘You’re right, Miss Montgomery.’ He looked up, his eyes sad.

  ‘You can call me Claire.’

  ‘Claire.’ He gave a small nod. ‘You are right. There’s been so much infighting for generations that it’s poisoned our town. I’ve been aware of it for years but just didn’t want to admit it. The only time we bond is our mutual annoyance for outsiders.’

  ‘You do realise this is strange, right? If you’d given our production a chance, you might have found it interesting.’

  He didn’t speak for quite some time.

  ‘I need a favour, Miss … Claire.’

  ‘Sure,’ she said, then worried she’d just committed to something she’d regret.

  ‘Can you write a list of everything you need to complete the work? Perhaps draw up a roster of times and jobs?’

  ‘You’re going to help?’

  ‘We are all going to help. It’s high time the townsfolk of Starlight Creek came together to build, not destroy.’

  * * *

  The next week passed by in a whirlwind of activity once the cinema had been declared safe, everyone from Marcela to Colin and the checked-shirted teenagers lending a hand. Claire was in her element coordinating everyone and Luke gave sanding and painting lessons to those who needed it. Before long, the faded paintwork and chipped plasterwork transformed into an Art Deco pièce
de résistance. The blue facade matched the sky, the yellow trims represented the sun, and the broken marquee board had been replaced, while the electrician worked on the lights after he’d checked the entire building and rewired the damaged electrics.

  Now the ladders had been taken down, Claire stood back and admired their handiwork, not quite able to believe everything that had been achieved in such a short time. Even more incredible was the camaraderie that had evolved within the community.

  ‘Afternoon tea!’ called Scarlet who was trailed by Laura. They carried a large tray each filled with sandwiches, cakes and fruit, and placed it all on the tables set up under the newsagency verandah.

  ‘I’m off to get my camera,’ said Marcela as she headed to her shop at the other end of town.

  The rest of the locals made their way over to the spread. Laura handed out serviettes and when one of the teenage guys put out his hand for one, their fingers touched and lingered longer than normal. The guy said something quietly and Laura laughed then looked down, her face flushed.

  ‘Young love?’ Luke appeared beside her.

  ‘Maybe,’ said Claire. ‘It’s kind of sweet.’

  Luke’s hand slid around her waist and pulled her close. In her ear, he whispered, ‘I can’t wait to get you alone.’

  Claire closed her eyes and wished she could stop time. The last few days had been bliss but they still had to finish the conversation. It wasn’t going to be pretty.

  ‘She’s coming!’ yelled Marcela, out of breath from running down the street.

  ‘Hattie? But she’s not supposed to be here until tomorrow,’ said Claire, disappointed. ‘We haven’t got the letters up on the marquee yet.’

  Luke squeezed her shoulder. ‘This is going to be a big enough surprise for her.’

  ‘What if she doesn’t like the colours? What if she wanted it to remain the same? After all, she hadn’t had it painted for years. Oh no.’ She clapped her hand over her mouth. ‘What if she hates it?’

  ‘Then I will take the blame,’ he said.

  ‘No, no. This was my idea. I’ll deal with the consequences.’ Claire tasted metal in her mouth and realised she’d bitten her lip so hard it was now bleeding.