Eight
Tess sat back with little expectation as Zara phoned on speaker.
A guy answered. ‘Anderson Joseph?’
‘Andy! It’s Zara.’
‘Oh my god! Babes!’ the guy said. ‘Where have you been?’
‘You know me. Work for breakfast, work for lunch, work for dinner,’ Zara told him. ‘And then work for pudding if I’m not quite full.’
Tess rolled her eyes.
‘We miss you at the quiz,’ Anderson said.
‘You guys still doing that?’ Zara asked, surprised.
‘Yeah, it’s on next Tuesday. Come! You owe me about seven cocktails after last time.’
Zara laughed. ‘I didn’t have anything to do with that,’ she said vaguely.
‘You were saying go for it!’ Andy bantered.
‘That’s not how I remember it,’ Zara told him.
‘I’ve still got his ball gag, you know. He ran out without it. I keep meaning to drop it off at the charity shop or something.’
Zara laughed nervously. ‘Andy—’
‘You’re gonna tell me they won’t accept it, but I once bought a book about how to cook using flavoured lube at The Dogs Trust so…’
‘Andy, I’ve got someone in the car,’ Zara said quickly.
Anderson paused. ‘Oh.’
‘Don’t mind me,’ Tess said with an arched eyebrow.
‘Who have we got there?’ Andy asked.
‘She’s the manager of a local cinema. I’m advising her on the business. That’s why I called.’
He sighed. ‘Knew you needed a favour. Go on then, what do you want?’
‘You’re still in council planning, yes?’ Zara asked.
‘For my sins,’ he replied.
‘Do you know anyone in the public permits office?’
‘I know everyone,’ he said with a laugh.
‘Great. Could you give one of them a ring and ask about The Eclipse Cinema’s permit for outdoor viewings?’
‘Eclipse Cinema,’ he muttered to himself like he was writing it down. ‘I’ll give ‘em a bell now. Sounds fun, actually. I’d go.’
‘You’ll have free tickets for life if you can get things moving today,’ Zara said.
Tess raised an eyebrow. Zara didn’t notice. Tess was rather shocked at what was happening. And not just the offer of tickets for life.
‘Gimme a minute,’ Anderson said and hung up.
Zara tossed a look to Tess. ‘I apologise. Obviously, a lot of that wasn’t professional.’
‘No, please. Talk about lube and ball gags all you like. After being accused of producing porn, it’s par for the course,’ Tess snarked.
Zara didn’t say anything, just kept driving. They arrived in the car park a few minutes later. As they got out of the car, Zara’s phone rang. This time, it wasn’t on speaker, and Tess only heard one side as they walked over to The Eclipse.
‘Yeah? Oh? Great? What’s the earliest we can do? That will work. You’re a lifesaver, Andy. I’ll try to make it to next Tuesday, I swear. No, I really do promise to try.’ She laughed at something and hung up.
Zara turned to Tess. ‘You were gonna get there eventually, but you just went to the front of the queue. Right now, you’ve got a temporary permit for one show, which someone will come out to,’ Zara said. ‘But it’s box ticking. They just want to know you’re semi prepared, and then they’ll give you a proper permit. Speaking of which, do you have the right equipment for an outdoor showing?
Tess gaped. ‘What the hell did I just witness?’
‘Oh, I know,’ Zara said dismissively. ‘It’s just how it works sometimes.’
‘It’s gross,’ Tess spat.
Zara’s face fell. ‘I just helped you.’
‘I know. And I’m taking that help. But it made me feel dirty,’ Tess said. She was aware she was being a prime dickhead. But she had never seen such disgusting cronyism. She was sickened by it. Even if she was benefitting from it.
Zara sighed. ‘Right, so, the outdoor screen?’
‘We were waiting for a permit to buy one.’
‘Well, you should probably rent for the first one,’ Zara said instantly. ‘When you get the permanent permit, that’s the time to buy. And you must get the permit. It can keep you going through renovations and be extra revenue once you’re open. Though I’d do it weekly instead of monthly.’
Tess looked at her, and though it was all a bit horrifying to see how a few connections were all it took, she had to admit that the way Zara moved was impressive. She was pure motion. For someone as stuck in one place as Tess, it was something to see. Not that she’d ever admit it. But this woman was on the case for one day and things were happening.
But did Tess like these things? She didn’t know yet.
‘You don’t even know we’re getting the loan yet,’ Tess pointed out.
‘It will depend on my report, which will depend on my initial findings, yes,’ Zara said. ‘The big numbers are a start, but I need more depth. I need a good look at your costs and see where we can trim, if possible. The finer the detail I can provide, the better your chances.’
‘But it’s not your call, ultimately. So why help me now when you don’t know if you have to?’ Tess asked curtly.
Zara sighed. ‘Because I want The Eclipse to keep existing.’
‘Even if we can’t get a loan?’ Tess checked.
‘You can’t understand why I care?’ Zara clarified carefully.
‘Nope. Childhood memories are one thing. But this is your time, energy, and connections. You’re utilising them for me.’
‘So what?’ Zara said, a little emotion slipping into her business tone for a change.
‘So what?’ Tess repeated, uncertain.
‘It doesn’t matter why I’m doing it, does it? The point is, I am. Do yourself a favour and simply use it. Use me,’ Zara told her firmly.
‘But if I accept help now, there’s a price, right? Because when… if I get the loan, my arse is yours, isn’t it? And you will change the place. It’s inevitable.’
Zara looked at her with an understanding in her eyes. Tess hated it. She felt way too transparent.
‘Not good with help, are you?’ Zara asked.
Tess cleared her throat. ‘I don’t…’
‘Right, shall we do that inspection?’ Zara said, brightening. The show of human emotion was gone. Tess was relieved. It was hard enough to deal with Zara without her seeing into Tess’s knackered psyche.
‘Yep, let’s. Brace yourself, it’s a shit storm,’ Tess warned, walking into The Eclipse.
‘Shit storms are my favourite,’ Zara assured her happily as she followed Tess in.
Tess began the tour, feeling that she’d sprung a leak in the place she kept her resolve. It was only dribbling for now. But given time, Zara would try to punch that hole wide open. The thought of it sent chills down her spine.
Yet Tess had chosen to take a chance on Zara Shaw. She might make things worse, but there was also a slight chance that she could make them better.
For Tess, that sad flicker of hope was the most optimistic feeling she’d had in quite some time.