On Thursday, Nina sent June the cancellation notice before it went out.
The advertised performance would not take place. The cinema had learned that the video used June's private experience without permission and that the roles of those involved had been misrepresented. A replacement programme was offered for Saturday. Ruby had agreed to give a short correction beforehand. June was not participating.
Beneath it was a statement from Eli.
He said he had been paid to co-write and perform in the original piece, had received June's complete account with her name on it, and had known they were using her experience. He said his previous correction had omitted authorship and that he had falsely denied writing it when June asked him. He would not appear at the replacement evening. He had asked Nina to attach the statement to the notice.
June read it sitting at the staff-room table.
He had put his name on something that didn't make him look like the only person telling the truth. It was what she had wanted. It made no part of the morning happy.
She went downstairs to ask Nina when he had sent it.
“Last night,” Nina said. “Then he called this morning to make sure I understood. I didn't chase him.”
“Good.”
“He's asked for it to stay with the event notice.”
June looked at the programme stand. Ruby's old description had been removed. There was a space where it had been.
Nina came round the counter.
“Your dance-hall evening can be next Saturday if you want. A normal event. We can move it later if you don't.”
June looked at her. “Wouldn't that feel like I'm taking Ruby's thing?”
“Ruby's thing was this Saturday. Yours is yours. It's already been planned.”
“People might come to ask again.”
“They might. You don't owe them a different answer.”
Nina waited, not reaching for the diary until June spoke.
“Next Saturday,” June said. “But I'd like someone else on the counter. I don't want to be the whole evening.”
“You never were. I'll sort the staff.”
June went back upstairs. There was a message from Eli, sent directly to her, with the same correction attached.
You don't have to reply. I wanted you to have this from me.
She didn't reply. She saved the statement in case she needed it, then closed the message.
For a moment she wished he had written something she could answer. A joke, a question about the film, even a foolish attempt to say what he missed. She wanted him to be a person she could still speak to. She was glad he hadn't made her refuse him again.
At the end of her shift, June stood outside the cinema and read the replacement description. A programme of short comedies, chosen by Nina, followed by a conversation if people wanted to stay. Nothing about June being Ruby's friend. Nothing about Eli being innocent.
Ruby's brief correction would be first.
June hadn't decided whether to attend. She went home knowing the decision could remain hers for another day.