When we hear the front doors slam, Samira turns to me. “Do you think he understood what he was saying yes to?”
“No, he’s far too wrapped up in whatever he’s cooking. We’re no threat.”
Samira nods at me and then straightens slightly. “Oh shit, by the way, your flatmate, Ash, is downstairs.”
“Ash is here?” I reply, mouth ajar.
“Yes, he said you asked for help and he has time right now,” she says. “He’s literally standing in the canteen right now making notes.”
I tear down the spiral staircase and rush through the canteen and out onto the pool area, where Ash, in a pair of navy shorts and a white shirt, is eyeing up the walls of the canteen, notebook in hand.
“Hey, Mara,” he says, grinning my way as he scribbles something down.
“You’re helping?”
“I said I could,” he says. “Besides, I am pretty intrigued by the idea of a floating cinema. Samira told me we were getting it from Sanka? I spoke to him already and he’s agreed we can take the sound system too. I can hang it up against that wall.” He points to the cliff face that sits at the far end of the pool area.
“That’s exactly where I thought it could go,” I yelp, unable to hide my delight.
“He also said to tell you he got the film-screening license and a new Blu-ray copy of the film in.”
“Oh brilliant!”
“And I’ll just put a lick of paint here on the front of the canteen. It’s just a patch job, though, Mara, until you get funds to make a better job of it.”
“Anything you can do,” I say. “I just want her to look her best under the sparkle of fairy lights.”
“I have a bit more time now that—” he says, pausing to stop himself mid-sentence. “Well, it’s summer.”
“How can I repay you?” I say, biting my lip, as the sun emerges from behind a wispy white cloud and hits me right in the eyes. I raise my hands to cover them.
“Cup of tea would be great,” he says, his eyes intent on me. “I’m happy to help you, Mara. What’s the film, by the way?”
I laugh. I may as well let him in on it. Samira and Ryan know now, having organized the tickets. “What’s the best film we could show while the customers are dangling around in dark water?”
“No,” he says, gasping and then shaking his head, his dark eyes solid.
“Yes,” I reply. “It’s a floating cinema classic, Ash.”
16
By the weekend,all the plans are underway, and I head home. For the first time in a very long time, I feel light. My spirit feels light. As I make my way home, I look up at the bright bunting that hangs high across my little road and then I turn back to the sea, grinning. The sun is on my face, and the air is warm with a refreshing sea breeze.
I become acutely aware of the feeling.
“Iama Sagittarius,” I say aloud. This is the first time in so, so long I’ve felt my sun sign in me.
I burst through the front door and feel thrilled to find Ash curled up on the sofa with a beer and a film on.
“Yay! You’re home!” I say.
“Hey, smiley,” he says, grinning back at me.
“It’s all coming together! It’s going to be so amazing. Thanks for your help too! I’m totally buzzing,” I say, a hundred miles an hour, and then I see him frowning at my chaotic interruption.
“Ooh? What are you watching?” I toss my bag on the floor and almost leap into place beside him on the sofa. I look down at my phone; it’s 7:23 p.m., a little early to start, but I’m here for it.
“Oh God,” he says, “pressure.” He waves toward the screen, and I immediately recognizeParasite. “I never got to see it,” he explains. “I dread to even ask, but have you seen it?”
