A sudden surge of emotion flooded through Nell as she opened the deli door and met the gaze of her mum and Bea.
Nell took a deep breath and exhaled. She’d intended to stay poker-faced and kid them along that she’d been pipped at the post, but to their utter relief Nell’s face broke into a huge smile.
‘OMG! OMG! You did it! You did do it, didn’t you?’ exclaimed Bea, weaving around the counter towards Nell.
Nathan stood behind her like a proud parent, ‘She did it indeed!’ he beamed, patting her on her back.
Gilly looked sheepish as she tucked her tea towel under her belt and walked towards Nell. ‘Congratulations,’ she said half-heartedly, kissing her on both cheeks.
‘Have you signed all the legal stuff?’
‘I’ve given them all my solicitor’s details. Now, please stop worrying about me. Nothing will go wrong, I’ve got this.’
Gilly wasn’t exactly brimming with enthusiasm and busied herself back behind the counter. Bea shrugged her shoulders at Nell, then went to hug her one more time.
‘Look at that sparkle in your eyes. I’m so proud of you! And I know Ollie would be too. What happens now?’
Nell cast her eyes around the deli, ‘Let’s grab that table over there and a pot of tea,’ Nell said jokingly.
‘Tea? Tea,’ Bea screwed her face up, ‘More like a glass of the good stuff for you lot. Gilly, there’s a bottle in the bottom of the fridge. I’ll have my usual orange juice!’
‘Glass of the good stuff, that sounds more like it,’ said Nathan, before kissing Bea on the cheek, ‘and how are you feeling, my lovely wife?’
‘I was feeling all anxious this morning, waiting to see what happened.’
‘It was touch and go for a minute,’ Nathan kept his voice low.
‘What do you mean?’
‘Guy’s wife …’
‘Kate?’
‘Only turned up and began to bid against Nell. They went head to head.’
‘You’re joking?’
‘No,’ he shook his head.
‘And Lloyd was there.’ Nell chipped in.
‘Lloyd?’ Gilly asked cautiously, appearing by the side of the table.
‘Yes. He walked me home last night and came in for a cuppa and I told him all about the auction. Actually, he was very supportive,’ Nell looked towards her mother, ‘He thought it was a great idea to bring the community back together by re-opening the old place.’
Gilly’s eyes widened and her face paled, ‘He was on your boat? Oh, Nell, you need to be careful, you can’t go entertaining strangers on the boat.’
Nell chuckled, ‘Stop being overdramatic, he was lovely. What do you think he’s going to do, hit me over the head with his walking cane and rob my Cath Kidston bunting?’
‘Stop being facetious.’
Nell stared at her mum, noticing again the strange tension in the air whenever the Old Picture House was mentioned.
‘Never mind all that, you’ve gone and done it! Let’s celebrate,’ said Bea, smiling.
Nathan disappeared behind the counter and returned holding four champagne flutes. ‘It’s time to make a toast,’ insisted Bea, clearing her throat.
‘Oh God, I hope this isn’t going to be like our wedding.’ Nathan laughed.
Bea rolled her eyes at him, ‘I’ll have you know, speeches don’t always have to be done by the best man, there are best women in the world too!’ She put her arm around Nell and smiled as Gilly popped the cork and filled up their glasses with fizz.
Bea cleared her throat, ‘Ha hum …’ her eyes were tearful as she caught Nell’s gaze. She took a deep breath. ‘Today, I think you’ll all agree, not that we are biased or anything … we are super- proud of you, Nell, and we wish you all the success with your new business venture.’
‘Oh stop, you’re going to make me cry!’
‘It has to be said,’ Bea blinked away her own tears. ‘We all miss Ollie and we all wish things were different but I know, you all know, he would be so proud of you.’ They all raised their glasses, ‘Here’s to Nell, the Old Picture House and, of course, to Ollie.’
They all echoed Bea’s words.
‘The development of the Old Picture House will bring a new lease of life to Little Rock Marina, that’s for sure,’ chipped in Nathan, ‘And I can’t wait to be sitting in those plush-velvet red bucket seats once more, eating popcorn on a Friday night. I’m assuming it is free popcorn for friends,’ he winked at Nell.
‘Without a doubt!’
They all raised their glass once more.
‘To Nell,’ they chorused.
They all clinked their glasses and took a sip.
‘What’s next? When do you get your hands on the actual keys?’ Bea asked, sliding into the seat next to Nell.
‘There’s a fourteen-day completion rule, but once the money is transferred it could potentially be sooner, depending on my solicitor. Then I can get to work.’ Nell rubbed her hands together in enthusiasm. ‘So, soon it will be all systems go. I’ve got the builder in place and can give Mike the heads-up, he’ll organise the clearance of the site and the builders accordingly.’
‘You sound like a proper property developer,’ grinned Nathan.
‘Is it just as easy as that?’ asked Bea, amazed at how quickly it all could get moving.
‘I’m hoping it all runs smoothly, but before the clearance can start I need to go back inside and make a list of everything I want to keep, especially the room where all the films and equipment were kept.’
‘I’d love to have a peek inside before the clearance begins.’
‘Of course. I’m sure the estate agent will give me the keys for a couple of hours so we can have a quick look around.’
Nell knew the next six months were going to be sheer hard work, but she was ready for it, ‘And once it’s all finished, I want you all walking down that red carpet with me on opening night,’ she chuckled, ‘We’ll be like proper famous movie stars.’
They could all hear the happiness in Nell’s voice.
‘You bet. Any excuse for a new dress,’ giggled Bea.
‘I knew somehow it would end up costing me money,’ Nathan kissed the top of his wife’s head.
Suddenly everyone noticed Nell had gone very quiet.
‘You okay?’ mouthed Bea.
‘Red Carpet,’ answered Nell.
‘You’ve lost me.’ Bea arched an eyebrow.
‘The Red Carpet Cinema. Wouldn’t that be a fantastic name for the Old Picture House? What do you think?’ Nell asked, flicking a glance between them all.
Bea mulled it over for a second, then a fleeting smile played across her lips, ‘You know what? I actually quite like that.’ She held up her glass, ‘Here’s to the Red Carpet Cinema.’
‘The Red Carpet Cinema,’ everyone clinked their glasses together.