Starlight on the Palace Pier

by Tracy Corbett

He hesitated before walking off. ‘See you tomorrow then.’

  He’d almost reached the door, when Jodi called after him. ‘Leon?’ She went over. ‘Thanks for everything you’ve done this week. We couldn’t have done it without you.’

  There was a long drawn-out moment where neither one moved. Becca was tempted to make a discreet exit, but the moment was broken when Leon said, ‘No worries. Anything for Carolyn,’ and walked out the door.

  Jodi’s shoulders slumped.

  Becca went over and hugged her.

  ‘Well, that told me,’ her cousin said, with a self-deprecating laugh. ‘He hates me.’

  ‘No, he doesn’t. And don’t be quick to assume the worst. Leon cares more than he’s letting on.’

  Jodi broke the hug. ‘He cares about the playhouse, sure. Carolyn too. Every day he continues to be sweet and kind and funny…just not with me. Not that I can blame him. Decent blokes like Leon didn’t want trouble. And they certainly don’t want a woman with a criminal past.’

  ‘You need to stop thinking like that. There’s so much more to you than that.’

  ‘Leon doesn’t seem to think so.’

  ‘Then more fool him.’ Becca turned Jodi to face her. ‘Mum and I were talking last night about how we both need to move on with our lives.’

  ‘That’s what I’m trying to do.’

  ‘I know, but you also keep justifying people who treat you badly. Like somehow you deserve it. Well, you don’t. Mum needs to find the courage to start living again. I need to build a life after dance, and you need to forgive yourself for messing up when you were a kid. You’re a good person, Jodi. The best I know.’ She kissed her cousin’s cheek. ‘It’s time for us to let go of the past. Okay?’

  Jodi nodded. ‘I’ll try.’

  ‘Good.’

  Eddie appeared in reception armed with a plunger. ‘Look what I found.’ He stopped when he saw tears running down Jodi’s face. ‘What happened?’

  Becca gave her cousin a squeeze. ‘She’s tired. It’s been a long week.’

  Eddie came over. ‘Why don’t you head home, love.’

  ‘There’s too much to do—’

  ‘I’ll sort out the blocked loo,’ he said cutting Jodi off. ‘And there’s nothing we can do about the Elaine situation until we know about her flight. She’ll either be here, or she won’t. It’s out of our hands. Go home and get some sleep. Things always look better in the morning.’

  Jodi half-smiled. ‘Am I allowed to wash my hands first?’

  Eddie smiled. ‘Of course.’

  Becca could’ve kissed Eddie. ‘While you’re washing up, I’m going to fetch some ice from the kitchen. Then we can head home together. Okay?’

  Jodi nodded and headed off to the ladies’.

  ‘Thanks for that, Eddie. She wouldn’t listen to me.’

  ‘No problem,’ he said, heading off to fix the loo. ‘See you back at the guest house later.’

  Becca went into the kitchen. When she’d run through her routine again tonight, she’d been able to push a little harder, which was a good sign. Her movement had felt a lot freer. The bad news was that her knee was now stinging like crazy.

  She wrapped some ice in a tea towel and backtracked into the café, where she sat down to wait for Jodi, balancing the ice pack on her knee.

  A door slammed somewhere in the distance.

  She heard Tom’s voice before she saw him. ‘Here you are,’ he said. ‘You’ve been avoiding me.’

  She supposed their paths had to cross at some point.

  He sat next to her, looking relaxed and happy. He obviously hadn’t bumped into his father last night. No way would he be in such a good mood if he had. He probably didn’t even know Harvey had been here. She wasn’t about to enlighten him.

  ‘Good news,’ he said. ‘I have the programmes for the showcase.’ He handed her one, his fingers brushing against hers. ‘Don’t they look great?’

  She ignored the flutter in her belly his touch created. She needed to stay strong. If she had doubts about getting too close to him before last night, her row with Harvey had cemented her decision. She refused to be treated as an embarrassment.

  She studied the front of the programme. The image depicted the Starlight Playhouse at twilight. The building was bathed in moonlight and surrounded by stars. It was beautiful. Under the main heading was the caption ‘Starring professional dancer Becca Roberts’.

  She handed the programme back to him.

  ‘Don’t you want to look inside?’ He flicked through the pages showing her the colourful contents and exhibitor adverts.

  She had to admit the programme looked good. Where had he got the money to pay for them?

  He spotted the ice pack on her leg. ‘How’s your knee? Will you be able to dance tomorrow?’

  She glared at him. ‘Is that all you’re worried about? Whether I’ll be able to dance?’

  He frowned. ‘I’m not following.’

  She took a breath. ‘The last time I saw you Tom, you had your arms around your girlfriend.’

  ‘Ex-girlfriend,’ he said, his smile long gone. ‘And I didn’t have my arms around her, she had them around me.’

  ‘Same thing.’

  ‘No, it’s not.’ He dragged his chair closer. ‘She turned up here uninvited. I had no idea she was coming.’

  Becca held his gaze. ‘So she didn’t stay the night?’

  He paused.

  Just as she’d thought. And to think, last night she’d defended his behaviour to his father. ‘You know what, it’s none of my business.’

  ‘Don’t say that. It is your business, but there’s nothing going on with Izzy.’ His expression was pleading. ‘I promise you.’

  ‘It didn’t look that way.’

  ‘That’s because…’ he paused, closing his eyes briefly ‘…she’s struggling to adjust. But I swear on my life it’s over between us.’

  She shrugged. ‘It doesn’t matter. Carolyn will be home from rehab soon and you can return to London. We’ll never have to see each other again.’

  He looked stung. ‘That’s not what I want.’

  ‘It’s for the best—’

  ‘No, it’s not.’ He touched her arm. ‘I’m not going back to London. That’s why I’ve been so busy this week – I’ve been looking at premises.’

  She shrugged away from his touch.

  ‘I’m going to set up a practice in Brighton and switch to family law.’

  If he was expecting a fanfare, he’d be disappointed.

  He searched her face. ‘I thought you’d be pleased.’

  ‘Why? It’s nothing to do with me.’ She rubbed her chest. She had a pain to rival the throb in her knee.

  ‘Are you kidding me? What about last Saturday night?’

  She shrugged. ‘What about it? We got a little carried away. It happens. It was a kiss, nothing more. Not a reason to relocate.’

  ‘Why are you being like this? We reconnected, you know we did. Don’t try and deny it.’ His confusion was palpable. ‘So this is what…cold feet? Jealousy that my ex showed up? What? Because I don’t understand.’

  He never would, and that was the problem. She couldn’t deny falling for him again. It would be pointless even trying, but that wasn’t the issue. They were skirting around the elephant in the room.

  She turned to him. ‘Look at it from my perspective. A beautiful woman shows up here at one a.m. in the morning and calls you darling. She reacts badly when she discovers us fooling around on the floor and makes it obvious she wants me gone. And then she stays the night.’

  He closed his eyes. ‘I know how it looks. And you’re right.’ He opened his eyes. ‘All the evidence points to us still being an item. But you have to believe me, we broke up ages ago. I’m not with Izzy anymore.’

  She swallowed past the lump in her throat. ‘I believe you.’

  ‘You do? Then what’s the problem?’

  It was time to address the elephant. ‘Twelve years ago, you didn’t do the sa
me for me.’

  He tilted his head to one side. ‘I’m not following.’

  ‘When presented with hearsay and gossip, you believed me capable of theft. You assumed the worst. You didn’t give me the chance to explain. You allowed your father to shame me and my family. No email, no text, no phone call. Nothing. You just walked away.’ A fact that hurt more now she knew even her dad hadn’t believed her guilty.

  His cheeks coloured. ‘But you’d confessed to the crime. You were caught red-handed, arrested and cautioned. What was there to explain?’

  Sadness filled her heart. ‘And that is why we will never be together again.’

  Jodi appeared from the loos. Her expression turned wary when she realised what they were discussing. ‘Ready to go?’

  Becca struggled to her feet. ‘Definitely.’

  And with that, she hobbled away, leaving Tom shaking his head in bewilderment.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Saturday 25th November

  Jodi checked her watch. Time was running away from her. In less than an hour’s time the doors of the Starlight Playhouse would open to the public.

  Hordes of people had already descended on Brighton for the arts festival. The town was buzzing, filled with street entertainers, classical recitals and open-house tours. The event had kicked off with a silent disco, led by DJ Guru wearing an orange spandex catsuit, who’d caused numerous traffic delays as he’d guided fifty or so dancers through the streets of Brighton.

  At least the weather was good. It was a mild day. Local radio was following the events, ensuring people knew what was happening. The festival promised to be a massive success. The only problem was the Starlight Playhouse wasn’t ready for business.

  Jodi skimmed the list of items still unticked on her schedule. The pottery exhibition had been the main cause of the delays. Elaine’s late arrival had caused havoc, requiring a team of six to carry her ‘From Clay to Creation’ display into the art studio. Still, it was done now. Jodi could tick it off.

  Buddies Café were currently setting up a makeshift kitchen in the café, much to Petrit’s annoyance. Too bad. He’d turned down the opportunity to organise something himself. Feeling disgruntled because a rival chef was ‘on his turf’ was his problem.

  The volunteers had arrived to work behind the bar and support Vivienne with front-of-house duties. Not that Vivienne was happy. But then the Woman-in-Black was never happy.

  As if sensing she was the subject of Jodi’s thoughts, the woman appeared. She was dressed in her usual bespoke head-to-toe black, and made a point of looking peeved when the people setting up the circus exhibit got in her way. ‘A group of homeless individuals are in reception claiming they’re here to help with the showcase.’

  ‘That’s right. They’re from the night shelter. I did warn you to expect them.’

  ‘You didn’t tell me they were actually homeless.’ Vivienne had obviously led a very sheltered life.

  ‘Does it matter? We’re grateful for the help.’

  ‘I don’t see how engaging the services of the great unwashed will be of much use.’ Vivienne’s inner snob was never far from the surface.

  ‘As a thank you, I’ve offered the volunteers use of our shower facilities and a hot meal before the playhouse opens to the public.’ Jodi checked her watch. ‘Which is in forty-five minutes, so we’d better get a move on.’

  Vivienne didn’t budge. ‘I can’t imagine madam would approve.’

  ‘On the contrary, I think Carolyn would love the idea. Either way, Tom’s in agreement and so is Becca. You’ll find a box of T-shirts in the office for the volunteers.’

  ‘We’re purchasing clothing for them too?’ Vivienne tutted. ‘Really, considering the lack of funding—’

  ‘I’m not discussing funding with you today, Vivienne. I’m too busy.’ Jodi cut the woman off before they got into another bust-up regarding the missing money. ‘We’re running behind schedule. Please take the volunteers to the changing rooms next to the dance studio and advise them of their duties.’

  Vivienne recoiled as though Jodi had suggested she personally strip them down and lick them clean. ‘I will do no such thing.’

  ‘And when you’re done please change into your uniform for the day. Did you bring something red to wear?’

  ‘I did not.’ Vivienne’s nostrils flared.

  ‘In that case, please select one of the printed T-shirts.’

  A look of horror sharpened Vivienne’s features. ‘I’ve never worn a T-shirt in my life.’

  ‘Then it’ll be a new experience for you. Everyone else has adhered to the dress code.’ Jodi gestured to the people working around them.

  Aunty Ruby was wearing a red tunic over black trousers. Eddie was wearing one of the red printed Starlight T-shirts they’d had designed for the showcase, as was Leon. Everyone had been asked to wear a combination of black and red, and they’d all adhered…except for Petrit, who’d refused to remove his chef whites. As Jodi suspected he wouldn’t be hanging around for the showcase, it was a battle she was willing to concede.

  Vivienne stared at Jodi’s new black Primark suit with red shirt, complete with ‘Showcase co-ordinator’ name badge. ‘Madam will be hearing about this.’

  ‘I do hope so.’ Jodi turned her back on the Woman-in-Black…who should be the Woman-in-Black-and-Red if she wasn’t so bloody stubborn. ‘Excuse me, I need to get on.’

  Ignoring Vivienne’s mutterings, Jodi checked her list. Becca was in the dance studio running the dance numbers. Tick. The volunteers had arrived to help Leon with the bar. Tick. The music students weren’t due until after lunch, so she didn’t need to worry about them yet.

  She glanced over to where Eddie was briefing his team of Sussex Sea Cadets on their duties for the day. Even they’d managed to incorporate elements of red into their uniforms by adding an armband.

  That just left the debacle in the café. Far from looking like a circus, it was currently a safety hazard. Tom was overseeing the exhibits, but he was struggling to juggle the needs of ‘creative types’ who wanted their displays to be ‘organic’ and not ‘formulaic’. George was being indecisive about where he wanted his ice sculptures, and the abstract artist felt his ‘vision’ for his presentation clashed with the ‘energy in the room’. Tom’s patience had been tested further when he’d realised the circus exhibit included a flying trapeze.

  At that point, Jodi had decided to step in and help.

  She called Eddie over. ‘We need another pair of hands to hoist the trapeze.’

  The two men lifting the contraption weren’t tugging on the pulleys in unison. Consequently, the outstretched mannequin kept swinging around and whacking people on the head.

  ‘It might help if we had a third person underneath.’ Jodi repositioned the stepladders. ‘I’d go up myself, but my skirt’s too tight.’ She would have brought a change of clothes, if she’d realised so much physical labour would be required.

  ‘No problem.’ Eddie climbed the ladder, placing his big hands on the mannequin’s sequin-clad bottom. When Aunty Ruby glanced over he smiled, which distracted her from easing the second mannequin into a pair of large clown trousers and she bumped heads with the dummy, making Eddie laugh.

  Since making the decision to turn the guest house into apartments, it was like a weight had been lifted from her aunty’s shoulders. She’d taken to smiling for no reason, singing along to the radio and wearing lip gloss. Jodi suspected Eddie’s attentions were a factor in her improved spirits. And why not? Her aunty deserved to be adored.

  A commotion drew her attention. Why was Petrit shouting at the Buddies Café chef?

  She marched over and pulled Petrit to one side. Didn’t he realise these people were doing the playhouse a huge favour? ‘What’s the problem?’

  His sneer made her take a step back. ‘He want microwave.’

  ‘So? Let him use the microwave.’

  He grunted. ‘If he want microwave, he should bring microwave.’

&nb
sp; ‘Well, clearly he hasn’t. So let him use the one here.’

  ‘No.’ His spittle landed on her face.

  Jodi wiped her cheek. ‘It’s not your property, Petrit. It belongs to the playhouse. Now let him use the microwave.’

  ‘No.’

  Several pairs of eyes watched the exchange. She wanted to retreat, but that would be disastrous. She had to hold her ground. This was a key battle.

  The cavalry came in the shape of Leon emerging from the kitchen carrying the microwave. ‘Here you go, mate,’ he said, handing it over to the Buddies Café chef. ‘Anything else you need just ask.’

  Relief swamped her. She wanted to run after Leon and thank him, but he’d already returned to the bar. He might not like her anymore, but he liked tyrannical chefs even less.

  Petrit grunted and returned to the kitchen, barging through the swing doors.

  Jodi returned to the mayhem. The trapeze artist was hoisted halfway up dangling from the ceiling. Eddie was at full stretch. They needed a longer ladder.

  He’d realised this too and climbed down, heading off in search of one. The mannequin was left swaying at head height. Worst-case scenario, they’d have to exclude any visitors taller than six foot.

  Jodi checked her watch. Thirty minutes left. Time was running out. ‘We need to start clearing away these boxes,’ she called, opening the door to the storage room.

  Vivienne appeared. ‘Why is the office door locked?’

  ‘Because I locked it.’

  ‘Were you worried one of your homeless friends might steal something?’ Vivienne wasn’t sheltered Jodi decided, she was downright ignorant.

  ‘That’s a very judgemental remark, Vivienne.’

  The Woman-in-Black held out her hand. ‘I need the bar float from the safe.’

  Jodi handed over the keys. ‘Bring them back when you’re done, please.’

  Vivienne snatched the keys and marched into the kitchen. She emerged a few moments later with Petrit. The pair headed in the direction of the office. What were they up to?

  Jodi wondered whether she should have found a new hiding place for her drawer key. There was nothing in there other than her rucksack and The Art of War, but she couldn’t be too careful where Vivienne and Petrit were concerned. After all, someone had nicked five grand. And it wasn’t her.