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It was precisely what Zara expected, given the report that the insurance people had put together. It was the wear of time and not quite enough money to fight it. Cheap fixes hadn’t helped.

‘It’s going to cost about what they said, from what I can see,’ Zara told Tess, standing next to the battered red velvet curtains in the screen room.

Zara nodded. ‘Right.’

‘But you need more than that,’ Zara told her.

‘What do you mean?’ Tess asked.

‘You need to update.’

‘But we’re old school. Everything is period,’ Tess said huffily.

‘Yes, but period furnishings still need to be maintained and repaired. The chairs are covered in tape. Carpets worn to the nub in the aisles.’ Zara paused. ‘There’s also… the smell.’

Tess was quick to take offence. ‘What smell? I don’t smell anything.’

‘You maybe have gone nose blind to it,’ Zara offered.

Tess folded her arms across her chest. ‘Describe it.’

‘I can’t.’

‘Then it can’t be that bad,’ Tess insisted.

‘I can’t describe it because it’s too complex,’ Zara was forced to explain.

‘Complex?!’ Tess repeated, horrified.

‘How often are the soft furnishings steam cleaned?’ Zara said, turning quickly to practicalities.

‘When I think of it,’ Tess said.

‘You’ll need a proper schedule.’

Tess sighed. ‘Jesus. Fine. Is that it?’

‘You need a total redecoration.’

‘And a bigger loan to go with it,’ Tess said, rolling her eyes.

‘Let me explain why,’ Zara said quickly. She was learning that if Tess was allowed to spiral, it would make her harder work. ‘I don’t just want you to reopen. What you want is a grand reopening. “Welcome to The Eclipse in its fully restored glory.”

People will come if you do that. Not just regulars. New customers. You need to reach new demos.’

‘I know who comes to the cinema,’ Tess told her irritably.

‘Do you?’ Zara asked her.

‘What does that mean?’

Zara was ready for this. It was time to bust out the research. ‘I mean, you don’t do anything special.’

‘Special?’

‘There’s a big rise in showings for people with extra needs. Autism-friendly screenings, screenings for people with sensory impairments… All kinds of people who want to come and experience a movie. You’re not reaching them.’

‘We have the ramp for wheelchair users,’ Tess offered weakly.

‘Good,’ Zara smiled. ‘But it’s not enough.’

‘Where are you getting this?’

‘Research. It’s the lifeblood of a business.’ She paused. ‘I know you’re probably gonna fight me on this…’

‘That’s actually… That’s fine,’ Tess said.

Zara looked amazed. ‘Is it?’

‘I don’t want to keep anyone out,’ Tess said.

Zara thought she heard the smallest amount of shame in it. But she couldn’t acknowledge that. She pressed on. ‘You know, there’s all kinds of different types of showings you can do. Parent and baby is a big one. Oh, and I heard of a showing for people with their dogs—’

‘OK, I draw the line there. That’s ridiculous,’ Tess said flatly, her usual snark back.

‘People love doing stuff with their dogs,’ Zara told her.

‘Then they can walk the buggers like normal human beings,’ Tess said.

‘You don’t like dogs?’

‘I like them fine. They don’t belong in a cinema, that’s all.’

‘I think you might be missing out on some good revenue, but we can talk about it another time. Right now, we need to talk about the outdoor cinema event.’

Tess sighed. ‘OK.’

‘The most crucial question…’ Zara began.

Tess braced herself. ‘Yes?’

‘What’s the movie?’ Zara asked.

‘Oh! Well…’ Tess began, surprised. ‘I was thinking Un Chien Andalou?’

Zara looked at her blankly.

‘You don’t know it? OK, well, it’s a movie by Salvador Dali from nineteen-twenty-eight. A surrealist masterpiece…’ Tess started.

‘It’s French?’ Zara interrupted. ‘You’re not going to make money showing that.’

‘Why not?’ Tess asked defensively.

‘Tess, come on. You picked something obscure on purpose, didn’t you?’ Zara asked.

‘It’s not obscure,’ Tess argued. But Zara could see a little embarrassment in her. Zara had called it. ‘It regularly makes lists of the best movies of all time,’ Tess tried.

‘Are these lists made by critics? Serious film people?’ Zara asked her.

‘Yeah. Obviously. Who else would I listen to?’

‘The purpose of this is to get people to come. All kinds of people. Not just film snobs.’

Tess’s jaw dropped. ‘Snobs?’

That last part was not supposed to come out of Zara’s mouth. But she couldn’t help it. Tess was being deliberately obtuse. ‘You need to pick a crowd-pleaser for this. You need money and you need it now. You something that will sell out.’

‘I knew it. I knew you’d do this. Why don’t we stick on Harry Potter and call it a day, shall we?’ Tess said angrily.

Zara went to open her mouth.

‘That was a joke by the way. I wouldn’t play those films with a gun to my head,’ Tess said quickly.

‘I know it was a joke,’ Zara assured her. ‘I was more thinking Spielberg.’

‘Ah of course. Jurassic Park, I assume? Or no… ET? No, I’ve got it. Raiders of the Last Arc? Fun for all the family, right?’

Zara ignored the sarcasm. ‘Jaws. It plays to your strengths. I mean, you’re watching on the beach. It adds a layer of reality that I think audiences will get a kick out of. It’s also a movie that is popular and respected amongst critics.’

Tess paused with a slightly shocked expression that Zara found quite satisfying. But she wasn’t completely down yet. ‘If you want a crowd-pleaser, how about Pedro Almodovar?’ Tess said. ‘The last time we played All About My Mother, it sold out.’

Zara sighed. ‘I don’t think it’s the right choice. But ultimately, it’s your call.’

Tess nodded. ‘Right. It is.’ Tess’s phone rang. ‘Who the fuck is this now?’

Zara checked the readout. ‘That’s a local number. I’m guessing the IT guy is finished with the laptop.’

‘Oh. Right,’ Tess said and picked up the call. ‘Yeah? OK. Be there directly.’ She hung up. ‘It’s ready.’

‘Let’s go. I can tell you about some research I have on cinema audiences in the twenty-seven to forty-two range. You’ll be surprised.’

‘Great,’ Tess said dryly.

But Zara didn’t care if she wanted it. She needed it.