by Katie Ginger
‘If you’d have listened to Conner,’ shouted Gregory to the poor chap who had played Leonato, ‘you would have remembered the letter.’
‘Don’t blame me. The boy didn’t say anything to me about a letter.’
‘It’s in the script,’ said Conner calmly.
Cecil stood in front of Mrs Andrews pushing his finger at her. ‘If you’d have spent more time rehearsing and less time getting Botox you wouldn’t have walloped me in the face. You nearly broke my cheekbone.’
Mrs Andrews was doing her best to cry. ‘I brought a picnic for us all to enjoy in an effort to cheer us up and this is how you thank me?’
Very little air moved through the theatre and in the stilted heat Lottie clenched her fists as she headed onto the stage. Standing back from the edge where the picnic food had been laid out, she gazed at the sea of glum faces. No one had even noticed her arrival. They were too busy shouting at one another, being rude, bitchy and selfish. Lottie felt a surge within her and she held up her hands.
‘Right, that is enough, everyone. There’s absolutely no way I’m putting up with this anymore. Why do you all think our performance was so bad? Could it have anything to do with the fact that you’re always at each other’s throats? You don’t speak to each other nicely, you don’t listen to each other, you don’t even seem to really enjoy being here. We might as well just pack up and go home.’
She had their full attention now and the words continued to tumble out.
‘Gregory and Mrs Andrews, I really don’t give a monkey’s bum what happened to make you two hate each other so much. All I know is, you have to get the hell over it. You come in here and you start sniping at each other, and then everyone else joins in. I didn’t start this group for you all to come here and act like children. This is not a nursery. You both need to grow up!’
Gregory and Mrs Andrews didn’t look embarrassed, they were too busy staring at Lottie in disbelief. She turned her attention to the rest of the group.
‘And I don’t want to hear any of you blaming Conner. Did any of you actually listen to anything he said, or did you just think “he’s young, he clearly knows nothing”?’
Lee and Leonato looked at their shoes, as did a number of the others. They had. How bloody rude. She couldn’t stand someone being patronised and especially someone as nice as Conner. ‘Don’t you think it’s ironic that the youngest person here has the most mature attitude? Hmm? Maybe next time you’ll show him some respect because he really does know what he’s talking about.’
A smile tugged at the corner of Conner’s mouth, even though his cheeks were bright red and he was trying to hide behind someone else’s back.
Lottie looked at them all, their eyes pinned on her, shame on their faces, and her anger began to ebb. ‘I know the play didn’t go quite as well as we’d hoped. And looking back, maybe Shakespeare was a little ambitious for our first ever production, but we need to move forwards and get back on track.’
Lottie cleared some room and sat on the edge of the stage dangling her legs. ‘The mayor is putting pressure on for me to stop being chairman.’ He’d been less than kind in the meeting when he told her what an embarrassment the theatre and the players were to the council.
‘What?’ asked Cecil, outraged. ‘That’s preposterous.’
Tears welled up stinging her nose and she rubbed her temples. She’d normally only have opened up to Sid but he wasn’t there anymore and she felt another wall within her fall down. ‘I was actually beginning to enjoy myself. I’ve loved the rehearsals and typing up the scripts and talking about casting and staging. I didn’t realise how much until now. And I really don’t want it to end.’
‘So what can we do about it?’ asked Lee, and Lottie looked up, surprised at the support.
‘The mayor told me I need to find a way to fix things. He was quite nasty about our performance but because so many people came to see it, and because the town has become so interested in the theatre, I’ve managed to convince him, at least temporarily, that Greenley does want this. We’ve also got some funding to get the roof fixed so we’ve got a little more time. He won’t really be able to do anything before the work is finished.’
‘What do you think he’d do?’ asked Gregory.
Lottie rubbed her forehead. Her neck ached and the throbbing in her temples had been going on all day. ‘I honestly think he wants to knock the place down and sell the land for housing. Or just sell the building off for redevelopment.’
The players began talking at once, their voices rising.
‘Now come on,’ said Lottie. ‘I don’t know that for sure. All I know is that we need to come back fighting and—’
‘How can he do that after that amazing article Sid wrote?’ said Gregory.
Lottie’s heart jumped against her ribs. ‘What?’ She pushed herself down off the edge of the stage and moved towards him.
‘Haven’t you seen it yet?’
‘No.’ She’d avoided it, knowing his words would hurt even more than they had the first time.
Gregory handed her a copy of the Greenley Gazette folded open to the page. ‘Here, look. It’s not the most glowing review I’ve ever had, but he encourages everyone to keep supporting us.’
‘And he says how much better the second night was,’ added Cecil.
Lottie read out loud. ‘“There is no denying the Greenley Players need to play a bit more before they’re ready for their next dose of Shakespeare, but there’s also no doubting the enthusiasm and commitment of this amazing group of people who give their time freely for us to enjoy something different. The theatre has brought this town and community together and must be supported so it continues to do so.”’
Her throat burned and the pain in her head stabbed again. He hadn’t let her down after all and she’d said such terrible things to him. Lottie stared at the page, unseeing.
‘So what do we do now?’ asked Sarah. ‘We can’t let the mayor win.’
Lottie couldn’t believe Sarah had just said that and came to with everyone staring at her. ‘Well, I did have this amazing, bonkers idea that I really think will work, but I wasn’t sure you guys would be up for it.’
‘What is it?’ asked Conner, a little life coming back into his face.
‘I told the committee we’re going to put on a showcase.’
‘A showcase?’ asked Mrs Andrews. ‘Like one of those ghastly talent shows on television?’
‘It won’t be quite like that, Mrs Andrews. There won’t be any judging.’
‘Except from all those in the town who hate us and want to see us fail,’ said Gregory.
‘I don’t believe there are many people like that in our town,’ Lottie replied and glanced again at the paper. ‘I really think people want to see us succeed and they want the theatre to as well. I know some were mean last week but we can’t give up because of a few—’
‘Idiots?’ said Lee, grinning.
‘Philistines?’ added Gregory.
Lottie nodded. ‘Debbie, you have the most sublime voice I’ve ever heard, and Sarah’s is amazing too. Gregory, Mrs Andrews, your monologues were incredible.’
Truth be told, Mrs Andrews’ monologue would have been better if someone had tied her arms down by her sides, but still.
‘And Cecil,’ Lottie continued, ‘you were brilliant. I could go on and on about how talented I thought you all were at the auditions and all we need to do is get the town to see that too.’
There was a hushed silence.
Lottie’s heart sank but she wouldn’t be beaten. ‘If we don’t think of something, the council will jump on the chance to close the theatre – and how else could we show the different talents you all have?’
‘Now hang on a wee minute there,’ said Debbie, looking at the rest of the players. ‘Lottie’s right. We need to pick ourselves up and move forward. I know we’re all a wee bit sore, but I believe we can do this and Lottie does too.’
‘I couldn’t have put it better myself, Debbie
,’ Lottie replied, smiling for the first time in a week. ‘Come on, everyone, all you have to do is prepare a short piece, just like you did for your auditions. It’ll be great for everyone to see the variety of talent we have. You can sing, dance, do whatever you like.’
‘Well, we’re on board, dear,’ said Gregory, Cecil nodding by his side.
‘Me too,’ said Debbie.
‘Mrs Andrews?’ asked Lottie. Mrs Andrews dramatically strode to the end of the row of chairs and looked away.
‘Here we go,’ whispered Gregory to Cecil. ‘If only she’d acted this well in the production.’ Lottie edged over to stand beside Gregory who murmured, ‘Sorry, I’ll learn to bite my tongue.’
Mrs Andrews placed a hand on her forehead. ‘Oh, very well then. I suppose one last shot won’t hurt my reputation any more than it has been already. Though my husband is absolutely furious.’
‘Excellent,’ said Lottie. In the committee meeting it had been a last-minute, madcap idea, but something about it felt right and for once Lottie was truly confident in her decision. But as she looked at her phone, her shoulders sagged, remembering that Sid was now gone.
‘When will it be?’ asked Conner.
She put her phone away. ‘Jeremy has assured me the work will be finished by the start of October. So I was thinking the October half term might be good. It’s the end of July now and if we have it during the school’s half term, that gives us just about ten weeks to prepare.’
‘If I may,’ said Gregory, holding up his hand as if he was in school. ‘Might I suggest that as well as practising our pieces I lead us in some vocal and trust exercises? I think we could all do with going back to basics a little. Myself included.’
‘I think that’s a great idea. We need to stop blaming each other for what went wrong, be honest with ourselves about what we can do better and work as a group to make the showcase a success.’
‘Well, there’s no time like the present,’ said Gregory. ‘If Lottie doesn’t mind, why don’t we have some of the picnic Mrs Andrews has kindly provided and then we can have a game or two before we head home?’
Lottie nodded and Mrs Andrews gave the nearest thing she’d ever given to a genuine smile.
Though everyone agreed with her idea, Lottie could tell from their body language they were still depressed. It was going to take a lot of trust exercises to pull them back from this. Picking up the newspaper, she skimmed the article again. And if she and Sid were speaking they could use some too.
Chapter 27
‘What do you think of this one?’ asked Selena, almost pressing her nose against the glass window.
Sid looked up from the pavement to see her pointing at an extremely short dress and suppressed a sigh. ‘Yeah, it’s nice.’
‘You’ve said that about all of them,’ Selena replied crossly.
‘Have I?’
‘Yes.’ She pursed her lips. ‘You are absolutely the worst person to go shopping with.’
Sid took her arm and pulled her towards him, trying to diffuse the rising tension in her voice. ‘I’m sorry, I’m rubbish at shopping. I just think you’d look good in anything.’
Selena looked up sulkily then kissed him. ‘Okay, I forgive you.’
He managed a smile. ‘Good.’
They walked on for another few seconds before Selena stopped again outside another shop, peering at an even shorter dress. Sid checked his phone. Lottie had taken some last-minute holiday so he hadn’t seen her for a week. Not since their row. He knew the players were due to meet tonight, and under normal circumstances, he’d have gone to lend Lottie some support, but this time he didn’t offer. He still hadn’t forgiven her, and Selena said that Lottie should be the one to make the first move, as she was in the wrong. He’d hoped that doing as Selena suggested and giving her space would make her realise how much she’d hurt him.
Before, their silly rows were forgotten within a day or two. Like that time they’d ended up a bit drunk, discussing who was better, Oasis or Blur, and got into a full-blown row over it. They hadn’t spoken for a day and when he’d next seen Lottie they were both smiling and laughing within a few minutes. But it didn’t look like that was going to happen this time.
‘Sid?’ asked Selena loudly. She must have said his name a few times before he’d heard.
‘Hmm?’
She huffed. ‘I said, do you think I should get my hair trimmed?’
Sid’s blood iced over. He wasn’t equipped to discuss such difficult subjects as hair, or, please, no, not make-up. He stared down at his phone for a moment, hoping it would come to life and give him the answer. It didn’t. ‘Umm, I think you’d look nice however you want your hair.’
‘Oh, you are so useless.’ His attention was taken by an email David had just sent. Lottie had taken another week’s leave, so he wouldn’t see her next week either. He couldn’t decide if that was a good or a bad thing.
‘Sid?’ Selena said, checking in her purse. ‘Sid, I really want this dress, but I just don’t have enough money. Can you lend me twenty quid, just till pay day, please?’
‘Again?’
Selena crossed her arms over her chest and pouted. ‘I’m just a bit short, that’s all. I had to pay for a present for Toni’s birthday. Please? I’ll give it you back next week.’
‘Okay,’ Sid replied taking the cash from his wallet.
‘Thank you. You’re the best.’ Selena kissed him on the cheek. ‘I’m just nipping in here.’
Sid leaned against the wall, waiting outside. He looked at his watch wondering how the meeting was going. He pictured Jeremy’s smug face and his gut tightened. The roof repairs were due to start soon, using a firm Jeremy had recommended from London. Why they couldn’t use local builders he didn’t know. Again, there was something not quite right here. His gut had always led him in the right direction before, he had to trust it now. The last time he had he’d uncovered and tracked down a couple of scam artists going round the old people’s homes. Lottie had been so proud of him she’d made him a silly trophy with ‘Greenley Journalist of the Year’ written on it. His heart twinged again thinking about her.
He was positive something was going on. Surely it couldn’t hurt to check out Jeremy Bell and his company?
Selena came out of the shop and piled a heavy bag on top of him. He stashed his phone away before all the clothes fell onto the pavement and she started moaning at him again. ‘Just one more shop, honey.’
Oh no, thought Sid, please, no more shops.
Chapter 28
Lottie put down her book and stared out of the living room window down towards the sea. In the distance, dense grey waves crashed over the harbour wall and moored boats rocked in the wind. The stifling heat of the last few days had broken and now it rained constantly. She wrapped her nan’s shawl around her, breathing in the familiar smell, and settled onto the window seat again. The rain bounced off the roofs and rattled the window panes under a steel grey sky that kept the sun at bay and Lottie traced a raindrop as it slid down the glass.
Work on the theatre roof had started last week, but little progress had been made since the rain began. The scaffolding on the building had signalled to the gods that the heavens should open and not stop till next summer, so everyone had downed tools and gone home.
On any other Sunday afternoon she would be with Jeremy enjoying a few final hours together before he left for the week. But he’d been delayed in London again, and hadn’t made it down this weekend. She wrapped her arms over her chest and gazed out of the window.
Jeremy had said the theatre roof needed checking quite often in the rain to make sure it hadn’t completely caved in and though she didn’t fancy heading out in all that, Lottie grabbed her polka dot wellington boots and left. There was no time like the present. She just hoped he’d been joking.
After climbing out of the car, Lottie took a moment to watch the sea rolling in. The tide was so high it came almost to the promenade, pulling back to form high waves that smashed on
to the pebble beach, spraying the passers-by. When she opened the theatre door the strong wind nearly yanked it off its hinges and Lottie slipped through before it was wrenched from her hands. Cold dank air hit her, and the rain was just as audible as it had been outside. It was pitch black and she felt for the light switch, turning it on, but nothing happened. The electrics were out. In the darkness Lottie felt her way along the wall and descended the stairs, heading for the lighting box where they kept a torch.
‘Oh no,’ she said aloud as ice-cold water washed around her ankles, freezing her toes. She bent down to feel the water was a couple of inches deep. When she reached the lighting box she searched frantically but couldn’t find the torch. Keep calm, thought Lottie. Just keep calm. Remembering she had her phone, she took it from her back pocket and turned on the torch app.
Shining it around, it reflected off the water lapping up the walls. Rain ran down from the ceiling pulling off the faded gold wallpaper and shreds of it washed to and fro like flotsam.
Lottie stumbled to the central aisle and the banks of chairs. The seats were sodden and water had gathered at the base of the stage. She shone her torch upwards. There were large holes perforating the ceiling where sheets of rain flew in and onto her face. It was ruined. The whole place was ruined.
Her breath came in short, sharp sobs as she looked around. Her pulse raced and her legs wobbled beneath her. Tears ran down her face and her whole body began to shake. How could this have happened? Lottie desperately wanted Sid there to help. She couldn’t call Jeremy. He was all the way back in London and was always difficult to reach during the day anyway.
A tear rolled down her cheek as she tried to calm her mind and sort out her jumbled, panicked thoughts. Her toes felt like icicles in the cold water and Lottie fumbled with her phone, shivering. Eventually, she dialled Sid’s number and held the phone to her ear.
It rang. And rang. And rang. Then clicked through to voicemail. She hung up and tried again. After ringing, it went through to voicemail once more. Where was he? What on earth could he be doing? Praying he would pick up this time she tried one last time and was cut off. He must have rejected the call. Her shoulders slumped and her phone nearly fell from her numbing fingers. How could he?