The Little Theatre on the Seafront

by Katie Ginger

  Jeremy returned and placed a glass in front of her. ‘You look amazing, by the way. Really, really stunning.’

  ‘Thanks.’ Lottie smiled at the compliment and ran her fingers through a curl. ‘I was worried it might be a bit much.’

  ‘No, you look incredible. I mean, you’ve always looked gorgeous but you just look … so … so …’

  ‘Nice?’

  ‘Yes, nice.’ He chuckled. ‘Sorry. I’m being an idiot and getting all tongue tied. You seem to have that effect on me, Lottie Webster.’

  Lottie looked up. Her whole body tingled at the intensity of his stare. ‘I get like that too. It took me a big glass of wine before I rang you.’

  ‘Why?’

  She shrugged. ‘Just nerves, I guess.’

  ‘Am I that scary?’ Jeremy asked and the smile that lit up his face brought a sparkle to his eyes.

  ‘No. I’m just an idiot.’

  ‘I don’t think you’re an idiot. I’ve never thought that.’ Jeremy leaned in and Lottie copied him. She wanted to be near him, to smell his aftershave again. To be close enough he could put his arm around her if he wanted to. And she really hoped he did.

  An hour passed with more drinks and good conversation. Lottie found herself flirting, running her hands through her hair and catching his eye, feeling more and more confident the longer they were together. He was everything a woman could want in a man – funny, smart, successful. The fact that he was completely gorgeous was just a bonus. It was all going very well so far. They talked about his business and the different projects he’d worked on over the years and Lottie talked about her job and even about her parents. She normally only talked to Sid about them. Sat in the late evening sunshine at ease with one anther, it was blissful.

  ‘Shall we get something to eat?’ asked Jeremy, looking at his watch. ‘It’s nine-thirty already.’

  ‘Sure. Where shall we go?’

  ‘How about the new French place by the harbour?’

  Lottie nodded and they strolled along the promenade their bodies touching. Jeremy gently took Lottie’s hand. His thumb stroked her skin and she leaned in to him as they walked. When they reached the restaurant, Jeremy held open the door for her and they waited to be seated.

  Checking her appearance in the mirrors running the length of the wall, Lottie decided she looked good. A little bit round at the middle but the top was doing a good job of hiding it. And it almost disappeared completely when she stopped slouching. But she didn’t just look good, she felt good. Taking the time to look nice had made such a difference to how she felt about herself. And it hadn’t been that hard. Rather than faking confidence she was actually feeling it.

  They followed the waiter to an empty table.

  ‘Lottie?’ Her heart lurched at the familiar voice.

  ‘Lottie? Over here!’

  In the mirror she saw a long gangly arm waving from the far corner of the room. Sid. Sid was there and so was Selena. Lottie thought her wine might make a guest appearance and swallowed it back down.

  ‘That’s your friend, isn’t it?’ asked Jeremy, as Sid made his way over to them.

  ‘Yes. He’s here with his girlfriend.’ Lottie tried to hide the disappointment in her voice. She’d wanted it to be just her and Jeremy.

  Sid approached the table with a tight smile. ‘Hello. What are you doing here?’

  ‘We were going to have dinner,’ said Lottie, a bit snippily.

  Sid’s eyes shot to Jeremy. ‘I meant, I didn’t know you were going out tonight. Of course you’re out for dinner, you’re in a restaurant.’ He gave a nervous laugh and scratched the back of his head.

  ‘Lottie called me,’ said Jeremy, happily, placing an arm around Lottie’s waist. ‘We met for a drink and now, here we are.’

  Selena tottered over and stared at Jeremy, then flicked her eyes to Lottie, and back again. From the look on her face she obviously couldn’t believe Lottie had landed herself such a gorgeous boyfriend.

  ‘Hello, Selena,’ said Lottie, placing her hand over Jeremy’s, where it lay on her waist. Selena looked amazing in a tight red dress.

  ‘Hi, Lottie,’ Selena replied. ‘I’d no idea you had a boyfriend. Sid never said, did you?’

  Sid didn’t reply. The silence spoke volumes and Selena’s eyes narrowed.

  Jeremy held his hand out for Selena to shake. ‘Hi, I’m Jeremy.’

  ‘Umm, why don’t you two join us?’ asked Sid. His eyes kept glancing towards Jeremy and Lottie sensed he was just being polite.

  Selena’s hair bounced up and down as she nodded. ‘Yes, definitely.’

  ‘No, we can’t,’ Lottie replied. ‘You must be halfway through your dinner by now.’

  ‘No, we’re not,’ said Selena. ‘We’ve only just finished our starter. You and … Jeremy was it? You should definitely join us.’

  ‘That would be lovely, wouldn’t it, darling?’ Jeremy replied. Lottie gave a half smile. Would it?

  The waiter moved them to a table for four in the corner. Now surrounded by mirrors Lottie would normally have sunk down and avoided her reflection at all costs but even next to Selena, in all her flawless glory, she still felt confident. Lottie sat next to Jeremy and opposite Sid and she was sure Selena kept fluttering her eyelashes at Jeremy. Sid hadn’t noticed and Lottie felt her annoyance mounting. She hoped she was reading too much into it.

  ‘You look so nice, Lottie,’ said Selena. ‘You scrub up really well. But you haven’t come to see me for that manicure yet. You really should. I’d so love to do your nails and make them all pretty.’

  Lottie looked down at her hands gently holding the stem of her wine glass. She hadn’t had time or even thought to paint her nails. From the corner of her eye Lottie saw Jeremy glance over and felt his hand on her thigh under the table. It wasn’t a sexual gesture. She could see from his face that he’d heard the bitchy undertone in Selena’s voice, even though Sid was oblivious.

  Jeremy smiled at Lottie. ‘She looks beautiful, doesn’t she? As always.’

  They ordered their food, Jeremy pronouncing the names of the French dishes with a surprisingly good accent, and as the waiter left Selena said, ‘Your French is amazing, Jeremy.’ And as she leaned over the table she revealed acres of cleavage.

  ‘It’s terrible actually,’ he replied, glancing at Lottie. ‘I’ve never been any good at languages.’

  Selena continued to praise Jeremy’s numerous language skills as Sid fidgeted with his napkin and bent towards Lottie. ‘You look nice. Different. But nice. Really, really nice.’

  ‘Thanks,’ Lottie said curtly, still cross with him for ruining her dinner with Jeremy. She wondered when the last time was that was Sid had seen her like this and realised he probably never had. She’d tarted up a bit for some of the functions they’d covered but nothing that involved hairdryer attachments or more than one coat of mascara.

  ‘I mean, you look really … good.’ A slight redness at the collar of his shirt threatened to reach his cheeks. Poor Sid. He was clearly making an effort and, to be honest, she could never stay mad at him for long. A smile pushed at her cheeks.

  ‘I was looking at your birthday present this week. I’ve narrowed it down to two options.’

  His tense expression relaxed. ‘Which are?’

  ‘I’m not telling you!’

  Sid made a sad face just as Jeremy leant over. ‘What’s this?’

  As Jeremy wrapped an arm around Lottie’s shoulders she could smell the spicy scent of his aftershave and she wondered if all his body smelled the same. She pulled herself back to the conversation. ‘It’s Sid’s birthday in a couple of weeks.’

  ‘Oh, have a happy birthday for then. Listen, Lottie, I’ve been meaning to ask, did you want to come and see a play with me in London? There’s a new interpretation of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. It’s supposed to be amazing.’

  ‘I’d love to,’ she replied. Selena asked Jeremy something and as he began to respond Sid leaned over again.

&n
bsp; ‘So do I get a hint about my birthday present?’

  Lottie shook her head and smiled. ‘Nope. Nothing.’

  ‘Spoilsport.’

  Lottie took a sip of her wine and saw Selena giving her the side-eye. The wine warmed her throat and Lottie refused to turn away this time. Sid was her friend and she was allowed to talk to him, whether Selena liked it or not. When their eyes met, Selena’s face softened into a wide smile just as Sid looked over.

  Jeremy’s voice echoed in her ears and he took her hand. ‘Isn’t that right, darling?’

  ‘Sorry?’ asked Lottie.

  ‘I was just saying how amazing you’re doing with the theatre.’ He gave her hand a squeeze and she laced her fingers through his.

  ‘Oh, right. Well, I’m trying. Luckily, it’s going pretty well so far.’

  ‘I can’t tell you, Selena, how amazing this girl is. I think she’s fantastic. She’s won over the town completely and me too. I’m completely smitten.’

  ‘Smitten?’ echoed Selena.

  Lottie turned her head so fast hair stuck to her lip gloss.

  Selena smiled. ‘Oh, Sid, isn’t that sweet?’

  Jeremy looked into Lottie’s eyes. ‘There’s no denying it.’ His thumb stroked her hand again. Shocked into stillness Lottie worried he was just saying this for Selena’s benefit. Lottie wasn’t an expert on flirting, but Selena had certainly been giving Jeremy more attention than Sid, and had been since they first arrived.

  Sid stared at Lottie and she had an urge to throw a bit of pasta into his open mouth.

  ‘The more time I spend with this woman the more I realise how amazing she is. Don’t you think, Sid?’ Jeremy leaned in and kissed Lottie gently on the mouth. Goose bumps rushed over every inch of her skin and she felt herself blush under Sid and Selena’s incredulous stare.

  Sid nodded and drank some water.

  ‘I’d better stop,’ said Jeremy. ‘I’m embarrassing her.’ The feel of his lips had sent her body into overdrive and soon every nerve was alive and wanting more. Jeremy carried on chatting but a weird tense atmosphere had descended.

  After Jeremy’s announcement, Selena spent more time and attention on Sid and Lottie wondered if she’d imagined it all. Perhaps Selena was just really friendly and that was more how Lottie should be? And why was Sid finding it so hard that she had a boyfriend? It just didn’t make sense to her.

  They parted at the door, Selena and Sid heading in one direction, Lottie and Jeremy the other. They walked along the promenade hand in hand. A full moon, perched in a cloudless sky, reflected off the sea, lighting their way.

  ‘You didn’t mind that we joined Sid and Selena, did you?’ Jeremy asked. ‘I just assumed that as they were your friends, you’d want them to. Was I wrong?’

  Lottie wanted to tell him, yes, you were totally wrong, you idiot, but she appreciated the gesture. ‘No, it’s fine. It was really nice of you. It’s just that Sid and I aren’t getting on so well at the moment.’

  Jeremy cocked his head. ‘Oh? Why not?’

  ‘We’re just not seeing as much of each other anymore. I’m really busy with the theatre and he’s always busy with Selena. Things are different now.’

  ‘Don’t worry,’ said Jeremy, wrapping his hand around her waist. ‘Life moves on sometimes and friendships do too. Sometimes we outgrow people as our lives go different ways.’

  Lottie glanced at him then watched her feet as they moved along. She didn’t want their lives to go different ways. Sid was annoying sometimes but he was her best friend and always had been. Surely they would adjust to this new situation?

  ‘I’m sure that won’t happen to you two though,’ said Jeremy. ‘Things will settle down.’

  The tide dragged the pebbles backwards and forwards as if telling the world to shush. The ocean asking for quiet as everyone got ready for bed.

  ‘Selena’s quite … umm, open, isn’t she?’ said Jeremy.

  Lottie laughed. ‘Yes. That’s one way of putting it.’

  Jeremy glanced at her. ‘She has a bit of a snide way of saying things sometimes too.’

  ‘I thought it was just me being defensive.’

  ‘No, she’s definitely a bit … snarky.’

  Jeremy stopped and turned to Lottie. He stood looking down at her and his hands slid around her waist drawing her towards him. The air between them was thick with tension and Lottie wanted to reach out and put her hand on his chest.

  ‘I meant what I said, Lottie. I’ve never met anyone like you before. You really are the most remarkable woman and I am falling in love with you.’

  Lottie’s brain fumbled around trying to remember how to use words. When he next spoke, his voice was quiet and anxious. ‘Say something, please?’

  Lottie’s heart pounded in her chest. Her lungs constricted, pushing the air up so she didn’t know whether to breathe in or out. Up until now she’d been too scared to admit to herself that she felt the same way, worried she’d be left embarrassed, heartbroken and disappointed. But he’d said it first. He was falling in love with her.

  In the silence, Jeremy’s brow creased in concern and his voice was full of nerves. ‘Don’t you feel the same way?’

  ‘I do,’ she said, quickly. ‘I do. I—’

  In the gentle moonlight he pulled her close so her body was pressed against his. He bent his head down and Lottie’s lips tingled in anticipation. As he kissed her again, harder and more passionately, the world paused. Her heart spun, beating faster and faster until she felt it would explode and at last, she let herself go and kissed him back.

  Chapter 19

  Sid and Selena headed off in the opposite direction to Lottie and Mr Suave. Sid peered over his shoulder, watching as they walked away. Lottie looked so different tonight. Not just grown up, but beautiful, incredible. She’d never dressed like that before.

  ‘Everything okay?’ asked Selena, gazing at him from under her long dark lashes.

  ‘Yeah, fine.’ Sid tried to smile. He had to get past this. He shook his head to chase the thoughts away. He was so lucky to have met someone like Selena. She was funny and sexy, and he was definitely punching above his weight. As soon as he’d seen their reflection in the gigantic mirrors at the restaurant, he’d seen it again – which reminded him: why would you put mirrors in a restaurant anyway? Who wanted to see themselves chew?

  Sid wrapped his arm around Selena’s shoulder. There was a slight chill in the air and she’d brought the tiniest cardigan he’d ever seen. Goose bumps lifted the delicate hairs on her skin but she wasn’t complaining. He couldn’t remember having paid Selena any compliments this evening. He should have. Guys would queue up for her if ever he let her slip through his fingers. He should make more of an effort but there was a hell of a lot to remember in this dating business and there was so much he liked about her.

  She enjoyed cuddling on the sofa watching superhero movies or old classics and listening to music. But still, he felt a pain in his chest as he realised again there would never be a Lottie and Sid. Seeing her and Jeremy tonight had shown him the last drop of hope had gone. It was done. Finished. He turned to Selena, determined to start afresh. ‘You looked beautiful tonight.’

  Selena smiled and pushed her hair behind her shoulders. ‘Thank you. Shall we head to yours for one last drink?’

  ‘Okay.’ Sid chewed the inside of his cheek hoping it meant what he thought it meant.

  ‘Lottie looked very different tonight, didn’t she?’ asked Selena. ‘The last time I saw her she looked quite, well … never mind. I just hope she’s not changing just because she has a man. I hate it when women do that.’

  Sid couldn’t help the concern that was clouding over him and he knew it showed on his face. Was that what Lottie was doing? God, he hoped not. Normally Lottie went for comfort over style and he hoped she wouldn’t change just for Jeremy. She’d looked like an airbrushed photo of herself and as lovely as that was he missed the Lottie who wore grubby jeans and oversized jumpers. ‘She doesn’t norm
ally look so … polished.’

  ‘Hasn’t she had dates before?’

  ‘Not really.’ It had always been just the two of them.

  Selena glanced at him again. ‘I think Jeremy’s right though. She’s doing a great job with the theatre, isn’t she? It’s just a shame you guys aren’t seeing each other so much anymore. She’s making time for Jeremy, if only she could make time to see you too. I know you miss her.’ She squeezed his hand and looked at him as if waiting for him to say something but he didn’t know what.

  ‘Hey, I know,’ she continued. ‘Why don’t we have a dinner party at your place for your birthday? We could invite Lottie and Jeremy? It could be just the four of us?’

  Sid shrugged. That was not how he wanted to spend his birthday, but Selena seemed so excited. ‘Maybe. What did you think of the restaurant?’ he asked, trying to change the subject.

  ‘It was nice. Bit too posh though. And who wants to eat snails? Yuck.’ She cringed then cuddled into him. Sid liked the fact she preferred normal pubs over fancy restaurants, it was another reason they were suited. ‘Jeremy’s not as handsome as you.’

  Sid smiled. ‘I’m glad you think so.’

  ‘I do.’ She put her arm around him and Sid reached in his jacket pocket for his keys.

  As they approached his door, Sid gazed at Selena’s beautiful profile. Her full lips had a sexy, natural pout. She licked them and he felt his body burning.

  His mind suddenly reminded him that Jeremy had said he was smitten. And that kiss. Sid quickly disregarded it and berated himself for letting it pop into his head in the first place.

  Selena stopped and stood on tiptoe, reaching up until her mouth met his. As they kissed she pressed her body against him and his regrets over Lottie faded. After a moment, she pulled back, took Sid’s keys from his fingers and opened the door. Without speaking, she took his hand and led him up to his bedroom.

  Chapter 20

  Lottie was aglow with love. After dinner she and Jeremy had spent an amazing night together. He’d been gentle and kind and she’d lain in his arms feeling attractive and sexy. She hadn’t slept with anyone for a long time. In fact, she couldn’t remember the last time which was quite embarrassing really. But the weekend had been wonderful. Not only that, since she and Sid had run into each other at dinner, their silly argument was all but forgotten and they were beginning to get on better, like old times.