Starlight Read Free Page B

we all mucked in,’ Miss Dollar murmured. ‘One big happy family.’
    â€˜And that’s right. This is a small cinema, you see, Miss Raeburn, and we have to be ready to do anything that comes up. That’s why I wanted everyone shown round the cinema before the interview, so that they could see the set-up.’
    â€˜It was interesting, looking round,’ Jess told him.
    â€˜Yes, well, the other thing is that as box office assistant, you’ll often be working on your own. In the evenings, too. You’d be happy with that, Miss Raeburn?’
    â€˜Quite happy, Mr Hawthorne.’
    He hesitated, shuffling papers round his desk.
    â€˜I’m still not sure, though, if you don’t mind me saying so, why you want to make the move from Dobson’s. We’d be paying you less, you know, and the hours are not easy.’
    â€˜Oh, I know,’ she said quickly.
    â€˜And you wouldn’t be doing the same sort of thing as you’re used to. So . . . what made you apply, then? Just the chance to see the films?’
    â€˜No, no, it wasn’t the films – though I do like to go to the pictures.’ Jess was already blushing. ‘It was the cinema.’
    â€˜The cinema?’
    â€˜This cinema. The Princes. I love it. It’s just so beautiful. So . . . different.’
    â€˜Different from what?’
    â€˜I mean, from what you usually see. Everything that’s ordinary.’ She gave a nervous smile. ‘Sorry, I’m no’ explaining very well. I just know I love it.’
    There was a silence, as Mr Hawthorne and Miss Dollar stared at her and her blush, deepening, rose to her brow in a painful tide. Och, what a fool, eh? To go blethering on like that in an interview! She was lowering her eyes, looking down at her hands, when Mr Hawthorne finally spoke.
    â€˜Miss Raeburn,’ he said quietly, ‘so do I.’
    After another silence, he rose, thanked her for her application and asked her if she’d mind waiting in the cafe for a little while. He might want to speak to her again. The interview was over.
    â€˜I do feel a fool,’ she heard herself saying on the way back to the cafe, but Miss Dollar smiled and patted her shoulder.
    â€˜You’ve no need to feel that, dear. You did well.’
    â€˜I thought I’d be going straight home now.’
    â€˜Like the others, you mean?’
    â€˜The others have gone home?’ Jess’s eyes widened. But it was true, of course, no one had returned to the tearoom.
    â€˜We’ll be letting them know. You, too. Now . . . I have to find Miss Wright, eh? Poor lassie – the last to go in, eh?’

Five
    When Tricia Wright, pale and nervous, had left the cafe with Miss Dollar, Jess found herself alone with the girl behind the counter – one Pamela Gregg, according to her name tag – who kindly asked if she’d like another cup of coffee.
    â€˜Oh, I would!’ Jess answered quickly. ‘I feel I’ve just done a ten mile walk or something.’
    â€˜That bad, eh?’ Pam Gregg, who was fair with a broad freckled face, laughed. ‘You’re still here though, eh?’
    â€˜They’re going to be letting us know.’
    â€˜That right? Well, I’d no’ be surprised if you got news today. Like milk with your coffee? The sugar’s just there.’
    As Jess moved away, walking slowly so as not to spill any coffee on Marguerite’s two-piece, Pam called that she’d better be getting on with setting the tables, they’d be opening for light lunches in half an hour.
    â€˜And I’d better no’ be too late,’ Jess called back. ‘I’ve to go back to work this afternoon.’
    â€˜Better wait to see what happens, though.’
    â€˜I’ll do that, all right!’
    The door opened and a young waitress came in, tying on a decorative apron, followed by a tall young man with high, thin shoulders