It was getting late and the café was almost empty. In the window a man sat alone. His face was smooth and soft, making him appear in his early twenties, although something about his manner suggested otherwise. His hands played with a silver coin, tracing invisible circles like a worry stone and stopping from time to time to tremble.

A waitress was clearing plates and mugs from the tables, watching him as she worked. Usually he would drink his coffee, passing the time of day with her; bright and cheerful. Tonight he was silent; dark and brooding. His black eyes were heavy, not even seeing her; watching the sea, distant and lost.

White crested waves buffeted the pier across the road, crashing up onto the deserted pebble beach. The arched white gates rattled in the wind, wearily working the rusty padlocks and chains that held them shut.

The waitress looked up as the bell above the door tinkled. She watched as he walked down the road past the pier and towards the theatre, stopping to stare up at it. His long coat flapped in the wind revealing a flash of blue velvet lining.

The theatre had closed down many years ago. The orange-brick walls plastered with layers of posters, shredded by the wind and rain. The heavy green doors, always faithfully green, were cracked with rot. Robert gazed up at the Victorian lettering; The Grand Theatre. Two golden lamps had illuminated the ornate letters, although they had been dark for a long time.

Originally they had been gas lamps. Robert remembered how they glowed and whispered. And the great doors that had welcomed queues of people. The air thick with excited voices. Bright poster boards announced forthcoming acts like Big Bands, Jazz, and Variety. Even radio shows had played there during the war.

It had been a long time ago since he had performed there, almost at the beginning for him. Those were heady days from a time gone by; when he had delighted and tantalised the crowds. Summer seasons when the house had been full every week. He had been newly born then. Untainted by what he carried within; far from the burden it was now.

The wind blew harder and he pulled his coat tighter around him. The night was closing in and the sullen skies getting ready to rain. Waves swelled and crashed. Robert turned and left, walking away from the seafront consumed by the shadows of night. The lights in the café were now bright halos. The waitress watched as he left, turning the silver coin in her hand. She the sad empty feeling that this would be the last she would see of him.