The Little Theatre on the Seafront

by Katie Ginger

  Sid stopped and took a breath trying to keep himself calm. Looking around his flat he suddenly noticed that his stuff was slowly being hidden by Selena’s possessions. His video games that had always sat in the fireplace were now in a box in a cupboard. And whereas before his shelves had been loaded with Star Wars Lego figures that Lottie had bought him over the years, these were now at the back behind pictures of Selena with her friends, or weird ornaments of cats. He shook his head. How had he not noticed this while it was actually happening?

  Nervous energy shouted at him to move and he circled the living room once more. As he passed the window again Sid saw Selena strutting down the street. His breathing quickened and he thought he might be sick. He’d never done this before and he was pretty sure Selena wasn’t going to take the news well. She let herself in using the key he’d given her.

  ‘Hi, honey,’ she said as she waltzed into the living room. Sid desperately tried to remember the lines he had been rehearsing all day. She dropped her bag onto the floor and flopped down onto the sofa, kicking off her shoes.

  ‘What a day,’ she said, lying out and stretching her long legs, encased in tight black trousers. ‘I haven’t stopped. I’m absolutely starving. Are you doing dinner soon? I’ve still got to go to the gym so I don’t want to eat before that, but I’ll need a snack, could you get me some crackers and cheese?’

  For the first time, Sid noticed that she wasn’t looking at him as she spoke. He hadn’t even answered her and she was beginning to speak again. ‘So, I had this woman in today for a mani-pedi and you should have seen her feet. I mean, talk about yuck! There’s no way I’d let my feet get like that – all gnarly and gross. I told her you have to look after yourself. You can’t go letting yourself go. It starts with the feet but then before you know it you’ve got hairy—’

  ‘Selena,’ said Sid, moving towards her. ‘We need to talk.’

  Still lying on the sofa Selena tilted her head back towards him. ‘What’s the matter?’ she asked, only a hint of concern in her voice.

  Sid felt his heart race again and his legs twitch as if his brain was telling him flight was going to be the best option in about three seconds’ time. He tried again to remember the little speech he’d prepared to do this nicely, gently, kindly. He’d even searched on the internet for advice on what to say.

  ‘I’m really sorry, Selena,’ he said, his body jittery as the words came out. ‘But I don’t think this is working out anymore. I think we should split up.’

  Before he’d finished pronouncing the last word Selena had spun around and jumped up off the sofa. Her hands were on her hips and her jaw was set. Her chest heaved with the effort of taking deep breaths. ‘Split up?’ she said angrily. ‘You’re breaking up with me?’

  The terror he’d expected to feel once the words were said never arrived and in its place was a strong feeling of relief at having done the right thing. He felt his neck and shoulders relax. It was done. ‘I just think it’s for the best,’ he said calmly.

  Selena glanced around the flat and her eyes rested on the Victorian fireplace before her face and tone softened. ‘I can’t believe you’re actually saying this, Sid. Why? I don’t understand. Haven’t we been having fun? I thought we were getting more serious, not heading towards a break-up.’

  Sid watched as, with effort, Selena brought tears to her eyes. She murmured, ‘Don’t you love me anymore?’

  What a fool he’d been. He hadn’t realised how manipulative she was and was almost overwhelmed by embarrassment. It was the things he gave her rather than him she was actually afraid of losing and looking back he could see a million and one times that had been demonstrated. ‘I’m sorry, Selena. I don’t think we’re really suited.’

  ‘How can you say that?’ She edged towards him but Sid shook his head.

  Remembering the words he’d said to Lottie about Jeremy and not knowing his favourite colour, drink or movie, he realised that, though he might know Selena’s, there was no way she knew his. He kept his voice strong to show he’d made up his mind. ‘I know this is hard and I’m really sorry, but like said, I just don’t think we’re meant to be together.’

  Selena studied his face for a second then the tears magically evaporated and her face hardened. Her hands rested on her hips. She must have realised there was no hesitation in his eyes and that he wouldn’t be persuaded otherwise. ‘Let me guess your next line. Is it, “It’s not you, it’s me”? Well guess what, Sid? You’re damn right it’s you. Do you know how lucky you are to have me? I mean let’s face it, you’re not exactly Chris Hemsworth, are you?’

  Just like on the stage, the curtains had opened, but Sid wasn’t seeing an actor now, he was seeing the real Selena. How could he have thought it was Lottie always taking things the wrong way? There was a hard edge to Selena that he’d always been blind to. It was his fault, he knew that. He’d wanted to be blind. He’d needed to feel that someone loved him and was so desperate to get over his feelings for Lottie that when Selena had come into his life he’d wanted to prove to himself. Christ, he was an absolute idiot.

  Selena was still watching him, pinned to the spot. Her head was beginning to do the wiggly thing it had done at the hotel. ‘You’ll regret this, Sid Evans. And when you do, don’t come crawling back to me because there’s no way I’ll be taking you back.’

  She spat the words at Sid but the relief in his system acted like a shield keeping him calm against her vitriol. All he wanted now was for her to go. ‘I’m really sorry, Selena. I didn’t mean to mislead you, I just think this is for the best. If you want I can pack up your things and drop them to your parents’ house?’

  Selena huffed and shook her head, her long brown hair swishing around her shoulders. ‘You’d better,’ she said, then reached down to get her bag before she stomped past him to the front door.

  After she’d slammed the door with such force the windows almost shook, Sid went and sat down on the sofa. A serene calmness washed over him and every muscle relaxed. It was done now. And as nothing had been smashed or thrown at him as he’d imagined it would, he considered it a success. He’d never broken up with anyone before because he’d never had anyone to break up with, and though tinged with guilt for getting himself into this mess in the first place he couldn’t help but feel relief. He genuinely hadn’t meant to deceive Selena. He’d given it everything he could and now that flicker of hope of being with Lottie had been rekindled, he knew he had to try just one more time to win her heart.

  All he had to do now was pluck up the courage to tell Lottie how he felt.

  Someone pushed a flyer through his letter box and Sid almost touched the ceiling as he jumped in panic, thinking it was Selena come back to punch him in the face. He glanced at the kitchen and smiled at what Lottie had said to Jeremy. At least he didn’t own a melon baller … Selena wouldn’t have hesitated to use it.

  Chapter 44

  ‘Gregory, you’re supposed to look tanned, not like you’ve been dunked in creosote,’ said Mrs Andrews. Gregory was, at that moment, applying a liberal amount of instant bronzer to become Jafar, the evil advisor.

  ‘Really, darling,’ replied Gregory. ‘What you don’t realise from your limited experience, is that you have to go a little overboard for the stage. The lights demand it. Strong lighting requires strong make-up, it really is the first thing you learn on the West End.’

  Mrs Andrews flung her hands in the air and stalked off.

  ‘Right, everyone,’ shouted Conner from the centre of the stage. ‘Lee, Sarah, can you get ready? You’re up first.’

  ‘I have to say,’ said Mrs Andrews, sidling up to Lottie and speaking quietly in her ear. ‘Conner really seems to have got to grips with things this time.’

  Lottie smiled in Conner’s direction. ‘I knew he had it in him.’

  The first dress rehearsal for Aladdin was in full swing. Since that night with Sid, Lottie had frantically called the committee and explained everything Sid had learned. Mayor Cunningham had respo
nded with, ‘I feared something like this would happen,’ but had uncharacte‌ristically spared Lottie any further lecture. Probably because even he couldn’t fail to hear the shame and humility in her voice. The sale was stopped pending further investigation and Lottie was confident that, given Sid’s evidence, everything would be called off.

  And to think she’d planned on breaking up with Jeremy that night. She couldn’t – wouldn’t do it over the phone. That was cowardly. But then Sid had turned up and he’d saved her again.

  A heavy rain battered the roof and the wind whistled round the houses shaking the early hung Christmas lights to and fro. Mrs Andrews had instructed the housekeeper to bring another picnic and the poor tiny woman had gone back and forth in the rain lugging in huge picnic baskets and laying out their contents on the stage, before disappearing off again.

  Small white porcelain cups were stacked next to three large, old-fashioned soup tureens full of steaming hot soup. Sprigs of holly decorated the platters of bread rolls with pots of elegantly curled butter alongside. Lottie stared at the stage wondering how many people Mrs Andrews employed to do it all.

  ‘We never got all this in the old group, I can assure you,’ said Cecil, before he scurried away when he saw Mrs Andrews approaching.

  ‘Penny for your thoughts,’ Mrs Andrews said to Lottie.

  ‘I was just wondering how they manage to get the butter into these little curls,’ Lottie replied, pointing to one.

  ‘Oh, for goodness’ sake.’ Mrs Andrews turned on her heel and walked off.

  ‘I was wondering the same thing,’ said Sid. ‘What do you think then?’ he asked holding up the paper. The headline read, ‘Lottie Webster Saves the Day’.

  Lottie pretended she was cross. ‘You shouldn’t have given me all the credit.’

  ‘I mention me a bit. What did I say again? Oh yes, here it is, “the key pieces of evidence uncovered by”, blah, blah, blah. But it was you who told him where to get off. That was very brave.’

  ‘Hmmm,’ said Lottie, unconvinced. Looking into Sid’s face was like looking at a new person. She finally saw the man he’d become rather than the boy she’d always known. His strong hands gripped the paper and she wondered what they’d feel like cupping her face or pulling her close. As her cheeks burned, she turned and stirred a thick dark liquid in one of the tureens that wouldn’t have looked out of place in a witch’s cauldron. ‘What do you think this green one is?’

  ‘It’s kale, spinach and courgette,’ said Sid.

  ‘Sounds hideous.’ Lottie opted for the reddish one, hoping it was tomato.

  ‘I wanted to tell you—’ said Sid just as Conner interrupted.

  ‘Shall we begin, Lottie?’ he asked. ‘We’re all ready.’

  Lottie smiled at Sid and gave him a wink. She took a deep breath and moved onto the stage. ‘Yes, let’s start. As you know, the town is now aware of the rather unscrupulous behaviour of Jeremy Bell—’

  ‘Och, he took us all in, dear,’ said Debbie. ‘Don’t you be embarrassed now.’

  ‘I wasn’t going to be, Debbie, but I am now, thank you. Anyway, we need to decide how we move forwards. Obviously we need to continue to raise funds for the theatre and we’ve only got two weeks till we open the show. Any ideas for fundraising activities? A Christmas fair maybe?’

  Everyone began to talk and chatter until Mrs Andrews dramatically strode onto the stage next to Lottie. She pushed back her long blonde curls. ‘My husband has said he would like to donate five thousand pounds towards the theatre as it has given me such a new lease of life.’

  Lottie gasped. ‘Wow, Mrs Andrews, that’s incredibly generous. Are you sure?’

  Everyone stared at Mrs Andrews, who loved the attention. ‘Yes, absolutely. Reginald thinks this is the best thing to happen to Greenley for a long time.’

  ‘Well, thank you, Mrs Andrews. We’ll be sure to mention it in all of the programmes.’

  ‘And on each night of the performance,’ Mrs Andrews added.

  Lottie repressed a smile. ‘Yes, of course. Well, if any of you have any other ideas, do let me know. Shall we begin the rehearsal?’

  The players began to move around taking their spots on the stage or grabbing a seat and reading their scripts. Lottie grabbed a bread roll and sat down in the front row next to Sid. ‘That wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be. I thought everyone would tear me off a strip for being so stupid.’

  ‘You weren’t that stupid,’ he replied. ‘I’ve seen you be stupider.’

  Lottie dug her elbow into his ribs. ‘I don’t think that’s even a word.’

  ‘I think you underestimate how much everyone cares about you, Lottie.’

  Lottie didn’t respond, she simply nodded at her roll.

  Sid shuffled forwards and perched on the edge of his seat. ‘Listen, there’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you.’

  ‘Yes?’ Lottie gripped her roll. Was he about to tell her how much he loved her? Could this be the moment?

  ‘It’s about Selena.’

  ‘What about her?’ Lottie tried to stop her voice going all squeaky, but failed. If they were moving in together or getting married she was going to scream.

  ‘We’ve split up.’

  ‘What?’ Lottie spun to look at him and nearly fell out of her chair, spilling soup in her lap.

  Sid steadied her and said, ‘We split up just after you confronted Jeremy.’

  ‘Oh, right. I’m sorry.’ Lottie bit her lip trying to stop a smile forcing its way out.

  ‘No you’re not,’ he teased. ‘You never liked her. And I can see why. I never noticed how she spoke to people. It always sounded different in my ears.’

  ‘Are you okay about it?’ She tried to be sympathetic but it was difficult as her heart was about to burst open and spray glitter everywhere.

  ‘Yeah, I am actually.’ He shrugged. ‘We weren’t really suited. She was quite high maintenance.’

  ‘How did she take it?’ Lottie asked, scanning his face. ‘You don’t have any scars, so I’m guessing okay?’

  Sid nodded. ‘Better than I thought, actually. I dropped all her stuff back to her parents’ house yesterday.’

  ‘That must have been awkward.’

  ‘It wasn’t too bad. I think they must be used to her. Her dad just took the box and said thanks. I thought he was going to tell me off but he didn’t seem bothered.’

  Right at that moment, Lottie wanted to tell Sid how she felt. To take his hand and kiss him. But Conner came over and whisked him away to discuss something. He kept looking over his shoulder at her and she had to fight the urge to sing and dance, and grab Cecil’s top hat and cane to celebrate. He wasn’t with Selena anymore, so all she had to do now was wait for the right moment.

  Chapter 45

  On opening night, Lottie stood centre stage under the spotlights, ecstatic and happy. She’d grown to love the theatre as much as her nan had and when she looked out at all she had accomplished, at the people she had brought together, and what this theatre now meant to the town, she couldn’t believe she’d actually done it.

  It had been almost a year since her nan had died and Lottie had feared this time of year most. She was scared of being alone but as she looked around her, she was far from alone. She now had friends and Sid was back in her life. She hadn’t known how she’d make it through Christmas before but now she would. It would be painful but she knew she could do it. Gregory and Cecil had invited her, Sarah and Sid to join them on Christmas day and she’d been overwhelmed by their kindness. Had Elsie really known what would happen as a result of her letter? Lottie thought she probably had, the scheming old dear.

  ‘Off the stage now, Miss Webster, please,’ shouted one of Conner’s friends. ‘People will be arriving soon and we need to close the curtains.’

  ‘Of course.’ Lottie moved into the wings.

  ‘Ready?’ asked Sid, who had been fiddling with the collar of his new shirt. He looked handsome in his suit even though he fidget
ed constantly.

  ‘Yep, ready. I think we’re going to do much better this time.’ Lottie adjusted his wonky tie.

  ‘Well, they couldn’t do much worse. Come on, you should be at the front greeting people.’

  Lottie smoothed down the skirt of her black prom dress and began to walk away.

  ‘Aren’t you going to ask me if you look nice?’ Sid called after her. She turned and swished her skirt.

  ‘No, I don’t need to. I know I do.’ She saw him smile before she carried on.

  As the audience arrived she welcomed them with a feeling of warmth and helped them to their seats, listening to their appreciative comments. When the doors closed she joined Sid in the front row for the performance, excited more than nervous.

  As the first scene started to a flourish of music, Lottie couldn’t help but smile. Conner’s smoke and mirrors tricks worked wonders and the magic carpet actually flew. Gregory was indeed a very strange colour up close but under the lights, it seemed to work. Sarah made a beautiful Princess Jasmine, though Lottie noticed the kiss between her and Lee, who was playing Aladdin, was slightly more passionate than originally planned. The risqué jokes necessary to every pantomime drew huge laughs from the audience and everyone joined in the singing and the obligatory booing at the bad guys. At the end, as the curtains closed, the audience gave a standing ovation.

  Lottie joined in but was surprised when the claps became chants of ‘Lottie, Lottie, Lottie’.

  ‘They want you to give a speech,’ said Sid, pulling her out of her seat.

  Lottie’s heart was about to make a run for it. ‘I can’t, I haven’t prepared anything.’

  ‘Just make it up as you go and make sure you say thank you.’ He pushed her onto the bottom step, and she made her way up to the stage.