I should check in about the show, see if Clem’s started watching it again.
Last month, she’d been on the same page as him, deciding the show was too cringe-worthy to watch. But had something changed? And if so, what?
He walked to the bathroom to wash his hands, and as he crossed the hall he caught a glimpse of the Brealys sitting together, heads bent close as they made notes on the scene being rehearsed on stage.
He wanted what they had, and it hurt that he was still a week or so away from being able to go public, as a couple, with the very lovely Clem Crossley.
Wiping his damp hands on his shorts, Spencer returned to the storeroom to find Clem setting up. How could a woman look so beautiful while wearing an outlandish Christmas headband and doing something as ordinary as rinsing out paintbrushes? A smile came to his lips as he recalled the reasonthey’d neglected the cleaning-up the last time they’d painted sets together.
Clem looked up, catching him watching her. Her smile didn’t reach her eyes, and when he heard her soft sigh, as if she was steeling herself for something, he had the keen sense that he was losing her.
‘So we’re off the hook now, if this is our last piece to paint?’
‘That’s about it,’ he said softly. Six weeks of rehearsals, of working backstage together, had flown past. Between his absences for beekeeping trips and the few sessions Clem had missed when she was ill, it felt like their volunteering gig was over all too quickly.
Why did it feel so final? ‘Backdrop and set will be sorted by the end of the day, the cast seem close to knowing their lines almost inside and out, and at 4 pm we get to put our feet up for a week before the dress rehearsals begin.’
He closed the gap between them, but instead of downing her tools and sinking into his embrace, Clem stayed where she was, resting her head against his shoulder.
The soft reindeer antlers tickled his neck, but as quickly as she’d leaned in, she straightened up again and resumed working.
‘Does anyone really put their feet up at this time of year, though?’ Clem gave a wry laugh as she prepped the paint. ‘I’m running on fumes, when really I should be gearing up for Christmas. Also, I fired Selina.’
She yawned, and Spencer’s protective instincts went into overdrive, trying to think of ways to make her days easier.
‘That would have been hard. Anything I can do to help? Supplies delivered? I can roll up my sleeves and help once school holidays start? Addison and her crew aren’t arriving until Christmas Eve and I’ve only got a few things booked in between now and then. Or I could sneak in after the girls goto bed, massage the kinks out of your shoulders so you can have a better night’s sleep?’
She smiled sadly, holding his gaze before another yawn slipped out. The virus had left deep smudges under her eyes. ‘I think that would lead to the opposite of sleeping, don’t you? I’ll manage, honestly. I didn’t realise how high my expectations were for my first Christmas in business. Everyone says it’s the bumper season, but according to the bookwork I reviewed today, it feels like a bust.’
He tried to read her expression as she searched his face.
‘What’s up? Besides being tired, is everything else okay?’
Avoiding his eye, Clem stepped away, intent on slathering her brush with as much paint as it could hold.
The combination of Christmas tunes and paint fumes were giving Clem a headache, adding to the uncertainty that felt like more than she could handle just now.
‘I’m grabbing a drink. Back soon,’ she said, ducking out of the room and away from the carols, away from Spencer.
Clem splashed water on her face, groaning at the sight of the headband Harriet had insisted she wear.
‘Ho, ho, ho,’ she whispered to her reflection, trying to muster up some festive spirit.
She came out of the bathroom and collided with a lady wearing green jeans and enormous Christmas earrings. The bulging garbage bags she was carrying dropped to the floor, revealing a candy-cane-themed t-shirt. She looked like she had enough Christmas spirit for the entire cast and crew.
Clem helped pick up the bags.
‘Sorry, I was in a world of my own,’ the lady said. ‘Luckily it’s fabric, nothing breakable.’ She thanked Clem for her helpand fixed her with a warm smile. ‘I’m Leearna. Mia roped me in as the costume assistant. Though it’s been years since I’ve sewn, so I hope the cast aren’t too fussy about their outfits.’
‘Better you than me,’ Clem replied. ‘I can’t sew on a button. Mia will be happy with any support she can get, and I’m sure you’ll do a great job. I’m not much of an artist either, but I’ve been helping paint the sets.’
‘Ah, you’re working with our local celebrity?’
Her conspiratorial smile made Clem’s guts twist. ‘My brother went to school with Jeff,’ Leearna said. ‘Not that it means I get the inside scoop on Jeff’s best friend, mind you. More’s the pity, right Mia?’ Leearna called down the hallway.
Mia popped her head around the corner. ‘Hey! Just be a minute.’
She had Fred strapped to her front again, and when she joined them, Clem realised how much he’d grown in the weeks since she’d last seen him.
