Page 39 of Christmas at the Movies

Over the past decade, their marriage vows had been tested by the strain of opening a cinema, becoming parents and losing a loved one. But Sarah adored her husband even more than she had as a bride. The stresses they’d faced together had made their love grow stronger.

James went over to the window and looked out. They were a stone’s throw away from Portobello Market and all of Notting Hill’s trendy cafés and restaurants. ‘The world’s our oyster – what do you fancy doing today?’

Sarah considered all their options. They could go to a gallery. Or go Christmas shopping. They could have cocktails in a fancy bar or take a long walk along the river. ‘You know what I’d really like to do … is see a movie.’ Despite owning a cinema, she hadn’t been to see a film in months.

James grinned at her. ‘And that is why you are the perfect woman.’ He took out his phone and looked up the film times.

They decided to see a Japanese film called Tokyo Godfathers at the Prince Charles.

Afterwards, for old times’ sake, they went out for Chinese food at Wong Kei.

London had changed a lot since they’d left for the Cotswolds – people whizzing around on Boris Bikes and construction for the Olympics in full swing – but some things remained the same.

The restaurant’s portions were still enormous and the servers reassuringly grumpy.

And just as they had on their first date, they talked about the movie they had just seen – an animated story about a motley trio who rescued a baby girl from the trash on a cold December night.

‘It’s so sad to think anyone would do that to a baby,’ said James.

‘I felt sorry for her,’ admitted Sarah.

‘The baby?’ asked James.

‘No,’ said Sarah. ‘The woman.’ In the film, the baby had been snatched – and then abandoned – by a woman crazed with grief after a stillbirth. Sarah remembered how distraught she’d been after her miscarriage. She also knew all too well how hormones could mess with your mind.

She’d felt sorry for the baby’s mother too, desperately worried about her missing child.

She was no longer plagued by irrational anxiety, but the fear of losing a child would never go away. It was every parent’s worst nightmare.

Thinking of her own baby at home, she pulled out her phone to check for any messages from her mum.

All fine here. Hope you and James are having fun.

‘All good?’ asked James.

Sarah nodded.

Her mother would no doubt ignore all the instructions Sarah had provided, but that was a grandparent’s prerogative.

‘What should we do next?’ James asked, as they left the restaurant and walked through Soho hand in hand. ‘Go to the pub? See a late movie?’

‘Go to bed,’ replied Sarah.

‘Sure,’ said James. ‘It’s late, and I know you’re tired.’

‘That’s not what I meant,’ said Sarah, her voice husky.

Her husband looked at her, understanding registering in his blue eyes.

‘Oh …’ He grinned with delight, then he quickly flagged down a passing black cab.

The next morning, they had a long lie-in, then went for a roast dinner at a pub.

‘This is the life,’ said Sarah, sitting by the roaring fire.

‘Do you miss living in London?’ James asked her.

Sarah thought about it as she sipped her cider. ‘Seeing how well Pari has done for herself does make me wonder what our lives might be like if we’d stayed here,’ she mused.

‘I wonder about that sometimes as well,’ said James.

‘How about you?’ she asked her husband, stealing one of his roast potatoes in exchange for her Yorkshire pudding. ‘Do you miss it here?’ Unlike her, James was a native Londoner.

‘I do miss being able to come up and visit Dad.’

‘Did you want to pop over to Ealing?’ she asked. ‘To see the flat one last time?’

They were close to closing on the sale of James’s father’s flat. It had taken a long time, as a previous buyer had been stuck in a chain and pulled out at the last minute.

‘No, that’s OK,’ he answered, surprising her. ‘It doesn’t feel like home any more.’ They had removed all the contents and repainted the flat, in an effort to sell it. Sean’s film memorabilia was displayed in the cinema’s lobby.

Then James surprised her again.

‘I was thinking that we could use some of the money to pay for a digital projection system.’

‘But you’ve always been such a staunch advocate for 35mm film.’

‘I don’t think we can hold out any longer,’ he explained. ‘Some film companies aren’t even making 35mm prints any more. If we don’t update, we won’t be able to show new releases.’

‘What about Roger?’ The projectionist was a good friend as well as their employee.

‘Omar is taking early retirement at the end of this year and Roger has decided to retire as well. They’re buying a house in Normandy and planning to spend half of the year in France.’

‘Oh, that’s wonderful.’

‘Anyone can operate a digital projector, so it would mean I can be around more for you and the kids. I don’t want to miss out on Holly and Nick’s childhood.

The whole point of running our own business was to escape the rat race and have a decent work/life balance.

’ James put his hand on her knee. ‘How does that sound?’

‘Really good,’ said Sarah. If a projector meant more time with her husband, she was all for it.

They had just enough time to take a walk to see the Christmas lights before heading back to the station. As lovely as it had been to visit London, she couldn’t wait to go back home to her babies.

‘Mummy!’ cried Holly as they came through the door. She launched herself at her mum, clinging to her like a limpet. ‘Did you get me a present?’

‘Maybe,’ said James. He held out the Paddington toy they’d bought at the station.

‘Mummy’s back,’ Geraldine announced, handing the baby to Sarah.

Nick’s wispy blonde hair stuck straight up, making him look like he had a quiff. His serious blue eyes searched Sarah’s face as she cradled him close.

Inhaling the delicious scent of her freshly bathed son, Sarah felt her breasts tingle and her milk let down, leaving damp circles on her shirt. ‘I missed you, little guy,’ she whispered, smiling down at him.

Nick blinked his blue eyes, and then, for the first time ever, he smiled back.