He’s not wrong.The room is fairly empty, despite the optimistic rows of seats.Initially, Christopher had chalked it up to the bad weather, meaning people were taking a little longer to get here.After all, they only had to cross a road so it was pretty quick for them.But since they’ve been sitting here, only a few more people have arrived.
‘No, Nash, there are not many people your age here,’ she says truthfully.‘Or my age, for that matter.’
‘Oh, I’m sure there’s no difference in our ages.With skin like that?You can’t possibly be even in your thirties.’He says it so smoothly that even Christopher gets goosebumps.
‘Stop flirting with me now, I’m a married woman.’
‘I’ll behave.’He very nearly takes a sip of his giant coffee but thinks better of it.‘So, go on.Explain why it looks like we’re nearing the end of that film about the beach that makes you old.’
‘First of all, there are basically no new jobs, except for muggins here.’She thumbs at Christopher, who immediately feels guilty that so far he’s only employed one often-sullen, albeit efficient teenager.‘And two, no one can afford to stay here long-term.Not since people remembered Wales is a nice place to visit.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Holiday homes that are empty, like, eleven months of the year.Airbnb, things like that.People having a flat to let to holidaymakers.’
At this, both Christopher and Nash look down at their shoes.
‘Get over it.Renting one normally occupied flat for a few days is not the same as that.Put your egos away a second and think about the wider problem,’ she says, sharply but not unkindly.‘The fact is, people can’t afford to buy here because other people are buying up places as second properties, quite often to rent to holidaymakers as another income stream.And there’s nowhere for normal people living here to rent because, again, it’s all short-term lets for people on holidays instead.And that has knock-on effects, like schools closing down or there not being a doctor’s nearby any more.That’s why the town feels so empty.It’s because itis.’
Nash nods along, taking this all in.‘So really it’s up to us, isn’t it?You weren’t kidding about needing our help.’
Shaz nods.‘Pretty much.I know Christopher said you came here looking for a break or whatever, but—’
‘No, I’m happy to help where I can,’ Nash says seriously.
Christopher can’t help it, but he feels kind of sceptical.This all feels ...a bittoolike one of Nash’s film characters in a way.Not the man who just destroyed his kitchen and stock making a home gym.But then, he did fix the van.And help Myffy.God, it’s so confusing.Christopher can’t get a read on Nash at all.It’s a weird situation, being stuck together with someone you don’t really know but are inadvertently responsible for, for an unknowable length of time.
‘Plus, it’s still a good distraction from my own brain,’ Nash continues, ‘and better than sulking around the flat.My original plan was to just hike and pout, so I’ll just ...help and pout instead.’
What does Nash need to distract himself from?Is his life in LA too glamorous?His diamond shoes too tight?Though, it’s not as if Christopher can’t relate.Maybe there’ssomething bigger going on, something to do with that phone call yesterday.
‘He’s good at the pouting bit,’ Christopher teases, which earns a stuck-out tongue from Nash.
By the time a few more people have taken their seats, a woman that Christopher vaguely recognises stands upfront.Her beautifully tailored sapphire peacoat reminds him of something from Kit’s wardrobe, and her rich brown hair softly curls at her shoulders.She looks organised and put together, but not just aesthetically.There’s a vibe.She’s a woman who can rally the people.
‘Croeso pawb,’ she announces, drawing everyone’s attention.This garners a few bore das, hellos and hiyas from the crowd.‘Welcome, and thank you for braving the weather to come out to this emergency meeting.I see a few unfamiliar faces, so I’ll introduce myself – I’m Tamara Yang, and I’m the councillor for Pen-y-Môr.’
That explains the air of confidence about her.She’s a politician.
‘Tammy and I went to school together,’ Shaz whispers.‘She’s good people.’
‘I will try to keep things brief today for the sake of us not freezing over, but I am proposing that, due to the weather and the time of year, an action committee is formed today in order to ensure that any people without power or food or safe housing can be identified and helped by us.We can use the community centre as a base of operations, and coordinate assistance from here with a pool of volunteers once we’ve ascertained how everyone can help.’
A hand from someone in the front row shoots up, and Christopher is almost certain that Tamara stifles a grimace.
‘Yes, Ursula?’she says, with a tone of weariness that suggests this is not the first time Ursula has had an opinion during an important meeting.
Taking this as a cue to address the room, Ursula stands and turns slightly so everyone can see her.‘I just wanted toencourage the democratic process before we embark on this new committee, as it’s very important that everyone in the room gets a say about membership and leadership and how things are organised.’Her voice is high, clipped and nasal, and overall, she reminds Christopher of the girls he went to school with.
‘You’re right,’ replies Tamara slowly.‘But as this is quite a pressing matter, Ursula, I think it’s okay for us to move ahead.We need to get going in order to help people out.’
‘We can’t help if we don’t know how things are organised,’ gasps Ursula with what seems to be genuine horror.‘For example, who is going to lead us in these endeavours?’
‘Well, as I’m sure you’ve ascertained, I was thinking me,’ says Tamara, completely deadpan.‘Seeing as I called the meeting and I am literally leading it, and also given that I am an elected figure of the community.’
‘Are they about to fight?’whispers Nash.
‘It seems like it, doesn’t it?’Christopher agrees.
