CHAPTER 10
“I can’t believe that Páidí already knows my name. I’ve been here only once!” Jess said, as she and Robert took their drinks and settled into one of the benches in The Tin Whistle.
Robert took a sip of beer. “You’re not allowed to be a bartender until you can remember names and faces. Do you not have a good local pub where you live? Come to think of it, you never told me where you live.”
“You know, that was very un-curious of you.” Jess picked up her raspberry lemonade. She’d been tempted to ask for a glass of wine but given that The Tin Whistle was the hub of Linford’s social life, she’d decided she had to be careful not to become a daily drinker.
“So?” Robert prompted.
“Oh, where I live?” She’d keep it simple and tell the truth – no explanations. “I’m back home for the moment while I look for a new apartment.”
He nodded. “What happened to the one you were in?”
Excellent question. “The landlord is selling.” Simon was selling, so that wasn’t a lie.
“But it’s nice being back with my parents for a while.
They have an old house in Dun Laoghaire, which sounds a lot posher than it is.
The place is kind of falling down, although the electrics are in perfect condition.
” She stirred her drink with a straw. “My dad’s an electrician. ”
“Useful person to know,” Robert said, nodding to someone across the bar. “It’s hard to get good tradesmen. What about your mother? Does she work?”
“She’s a nurse.” Jess tried not to feel irritated by the instant pigeon-holing of her dad.
She was also aware that she might be slightly over-reacting.
Her emotions had been all over the place in the last few months, and she didn’t fully trust herself not to read too much into what people said or did. “What about your parents?”
“Dad’s an engineer and Mum’s a legal secretary.” He gave a brief smile. “I’ve a brother and sister, both doctors.”
“Wow, look at you, you rebel!”
Robert huffed out a laugh. “Actually, the only good part of my job is that I get to work remotely.”
“You don’t like your job?”
“I do.” He frowned. “Sorry, I meant to say the best part of it.”
She nodded. “So, where do they all live?”
“Everywhere,” Robert said. “My siblings are both older, married with kids. My parents moved to Carlow a few years ago. That’s where Mum’s family is from.”
Another couple sat down at a table nearby.
“How’s it going, Robert?” the man said, nodding at Jess.
“Cheers, Eoin! Good luck now, Fiona!” Robert raised his glass before turning back to Jess.
“Everyone really knows each other around here, don’t they?
” Jess said, offering the couple a friendly smile.
How easy it would it be to meet new people!
But dating? She couldn’t imagine dating in a small village where most single people in their twenties and thirties had left.
And even if you did meet someone, how incredibly awkward it would be if it didn’t work out!
As she was searching for a change of subject, the door of the pub was flung open and a large, noisy group came in.
She looked at Robert. “They’re all the crew from the movie, aren’t they?
Oh, hang on, isn’t that …?” She noticed a number of heads turning to view the newcomers, and she knew by the murmurs and nudges of people around her that they’d spotted Afric slip in with the group, accompanied by a tall, slightly gangly man with dark, shoulder-length hair.
Robert draped his arm loosely around the back of the bench and leaned closer to Jess. “Looks like the big Hollywood star wants to rub shoulders with the peasants.”
Jess laughed. “Or she wants to let her hair down and have a decent drink? I know there’s a small bar in the hotel but Páidí probably pulls a better pint.”
He ran a hand absently over his beard. “Have you met her yet?”
“Afric?” Jess turned to him. “No, not yet.”
His eyes narrowed. “Who’s the guy she’s with, I wonder?”
Jess followed his gaze. “I think he’s one of the crew. It’s a small enough cast and crew, so they all probably know each other already.” She watched for a few moments as Afric and the guy ordered drinks, but stayed standing near the bar.
“Another?” Robert said, interrupting her thoughts.
Jess glanced down, realising she’d finished her lemonade. She really didn’t feel like another. “I’ll have sparkling water, but it’s my turn.”
“You can buy me a drink next time we’re out.” He winked and got up, walking over to the far side of the bar where the crew were.
Jess leaned back against the sofa, watching as Afric – looking relaxed in jeans and a low V-neck – laughed at something the tall, dark-haired man was saying to her.
Idly, she wondered if they were dating. Although if that were the case, she’d probably have heard. Correction – everyone would have heard.
Robert, she noticed, had started talking to some of the crew who were standing near him. It struck her that he hadn’t mentioned having any friends in the village. Despite knowing everyone there was something a bit … lonely about him.
Then again, she could be a bit lonely too. Was she jumping into something just because she didn’t want to be single anymore? She examined the thought before dismissing it. No, she’d still be perfectly happy down here in Linford for six weeks even if she hadn’t met Robert.
But maybe there was a reason she’d met him? Maybe he was coming into her life at exactly the right time? She’d met Adam when she’d been engaged to marry Simon, but now she was completely unattached.
Robert caught her eye as he weaved his way back towards her with their drinks. As Jess smiled at him, she reminded herself that for the first time in ages she was free to do exactly as she pleased.