By eleven, Grace is practically asleep on her feet and doesn’t complain too much when her Great Aunt takes her up to the hotel room, which is also my cue to leave. Peter walks me out to the taxi and we hug again briefly before he goes back to his wedding guests and his new wife, and I make my way to the Filmhouse.
Chapter Nineteen
The outside of the Filmhouse looks very different at midnight. Without its brightly lit exterior display, the old grey facade appears cold and uninviting. Menacing even. The fact that it’s in Glasgow doesn’t help matters. Even friendlier cities can turn on their residents when the sun goes down.
I try the front door but it’s locked, and I briefly wonder if he’s stood me up. However, my question is soon answered when the side door opens in the alley that runs alongside.
‘Over here!’ Dylan shouts, beckoning me in. Confused but intrigued, I hurry to join him.
‘What am I doing here?’ I ask as he closes the door behind me. He’s unshaven and seems nervous.
He strokes the stubble on his chin. ‘I wasn’t sure you’d come. I thought I’d better explain myself after the other night . . . Just straight through there, Cat.’
‘And you couldn’t do that over the phone?’ I walk through a small storage area, which takes me into the main lobby. It’s dark, but there are candles lighting up the floor all the way to Screen 2.
‘If I’d called, I wouldn’t have been able to do this.’
I get a little shiver down my spine. This massive fire hazard has been secretly set up, just to impress me. And it’s working.
‘Did you get dressed up for me?’
‘Don’t flatter yourself; I’ve just come from my ex’s wedding reception.’
‘Oh shit.’
‘Nah, it wasn’t too bad.’
‘Good. Well, if you’d like to make your way to Screen 2, the film will be starting shortly.’
‘Film? But I thought you wanted to talk?’
‘We can do both. It’s my cinema.’
He leads me down the hall, following the candles, which stop outside the door. Dylan opens for it me and I go in first. Inside it’s dimly lit with soft music playing. On the screen I read:
Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining.
Running time: 146 minutes.
‘You brought me here to scare me?’
He laughs. ‘It’s a good first-date movie.’
‘Oh, so this is a date, eh?’ I ask, making my way towards the rows of seats. Truth is, this is the most romantic thing anyone has ever done for me AND I’m wearing a splendid first-date dress. It’s just a shame it’s with the heartless kitchen absconder.
Dylan leads me to Row G, where he’s laid out some drinks and snacks. ‘When does the movie start?’ I ask, sitting down and eyeing up the popcorn. I don’t really know what’s happening, but I seem to be going along with it, more so now that there are snacks. ‘I hope you’re paying the projectionist overtime.’
‘No projectionist – everything is digital these days. The film will start soon but—’
‘Hang on . . . is that Johnny Cash I can hear? It bloody is! Are you playing country for me?’
‘Well, yes, but that’s not—’
‘I LOVE this song. It’s so—’
‘CAT! Can we talk? Please. I need to say this now.’
Oh my. I shush and casually throw some popcorn into my mouth.
