CHAPTER 25
Kate was already waiting at Bewley’s in Grafton Street, when Jess arrived to meet her for an early lunch the following day. As she approached the table, Kate stood to hug her.
“Sorry I’m late.” Jess squeezed her friend tightly until Kate broke the hug. “I missed my train from Dun Laoghaire so I got a bus instead and it broke down. I didn’t want to take the car because I’ll be driving back to Linford later.”
“You’d better spill everything.”
Kate sat down, and Jess noticed a sort of glow about her. For a moment she wondered if she could be pregnant, before she remembered Kate saying that she and Simon wanted to wait until after the wedding to start trying. Her friend was simply happy, happier than she’d ever seen her before.
“Tell me your news first,” Jess urged. “I want to hear all the wedding plans.”
Kate laughed and pulled a face. “Are you sure? I haven’t seen you in weeks – I don’t want to bore you with this stuff.”
“I won’t be bored, I promise!” Jess was aware that Kate might still feel just a little bit hesitant about talking wedding plans with her.
There was no need. She knew the suddenness of Kate and Simon’s engagement had shocked a few people, especially since her own relationship to Simon had ended the way it had.
But she also knew Kate and Simon were soulmates.
“Okay.” Kate beckoned to the waitress. “Let’s order something first – I’m starved.”
After they’d ordered sandwiches, salads and a large bottle of sparkling water, Kate regarded Jess.
“Where should I start?”
“What are you doing at the moment?” Jess asked.
“Honestly? Just enjoying myself.” Kate looked like she was trying hard not to look smug. “Everything is pretty much organised, and úna’s been great. I miss not having my own mam and she’s been like a mother to me. And she and Edward spoil Luke.”
“Aw, that’s brilliant, Kate.” Jess meant it. Luke and Simon had always got on. Now, Luke would have a dad – and two more grandparents. “How’s your own dad?”
“Looking forward to having Simon around a lot more. The sale went through a few days ago, so he’ll be moving into mine before the wedding.”
Jess nodded enthusiastically. Initially, she’d been a bit surprised that Simon had been happy to move from his expensive, minimalist apartment in Donnybrook to Kate’s old three-bed family home in Raheny, but it had made sense for Kate and Luke, and it seemed Simon didn’t care where he lived so long as he was with Kate.
If Jess were being completely honest, the idea of Kate moving on so dramatically with her own life, while she was back home with her parents, sometimes pulled her up short. She was happy for her friend, but there were times she felt that she’d taken a wrong turn and now she was stuck.
“I’m so glad we’re able to have a big wedding,” Kate was saying. “Going with the Charleston Hotel was a great idea, Jess. Although I still can’t get my head around the size of it. I always figured if I got married, I’d have about twenty people there.”
“And instead you got two hundred of úna’s closest family and friends,” Jess teased. “Actually, if everyone comes you’ll only have one hundred and ninety-nine.”
Kate’s face fell. “I feel so bad that you and Adam broke up. I really thought –” She stopped. “I’m sorry, I promised myself I wouldn’t say anything. Anyway, he’s not around the office anymore. I think he’s gone back to Switzerland.”
“Yeah, he mentioned he wouldn’t be in Dublin for too long.” Jess was relieved not to hear a tremor in her voice.
“Right.” Kate’s expression gentled. “The word is he’s gone back indefinitely.”
Jess nodded, trying to shake the feeling that something important was slipping away from her. The waitress came back with their food, and she realised that Kate was waiting for her to speak.
“It’s for the best, Kate. And there’ll be no danger that I’ll run into him when I get home.
” Maybe knowing that he’d gone again would help her to stop thinking about him so much.
She sighed. Maybe not. “This looks great, doesn’t it?
” She picked up her knife and fork, hoping to redirect the conversation.
“Listen, don’t stress about the wedding.
I won’t be on my own. Mam and Dad are going, remember? ”
“That’s not the same,” Kate said. “Bring someone! You’re still down as a plus one.” She studied her closely for a moment. “What was that look?”
“What look?”
“That one!” Kate’s eyes widened. “Oh my God, you’ve met someone! Don’t lie, I know you have.”
Jess sighed. “Maybe. Not really,” she continued hurriedly, as Kate gave a little squeal of excitement. “It’s very casual, Kate, he’s more a friend. An acquaintance. I barely know him, actually.”
“Riiight. Does this acquaintance come with benefits?”
“I’ve only known him a few weeks.”
Kate arched an eyebrow and Jess waved a dismissive hand.
“Adam was different – I was drunk!”
“Fine, but you have to tell me everything.”
“His name’s Robert. He lives in the village and he’s a structural engineer. Actually, he’s overseeing the construction of all the movie sets.”
Kate nodded approvingly. “A structural engineer is good.”
“Oh, the relief!”
Kate grinned. “So you like him?”
“He’s nice.” Jess gave a shrug. “It’s good to have someone to hang out with. Speaking of, I’ve been hanging out a bit with Emily.”
“Emily? Oh, yes. God, I’d forgotten she got a job down there. You guys are friends?”
“Yep.” Jess didn’t expand. Kate had always found Emily a bit annoying, and Emily trusted her not to say anything about her struggle to fit in and make real friends in Linford.
“Okay. Hm. Don’t think I didn’t notice that casual segue, by the way. There’s obviously a lot more to this guy than you’re telling me.”
Jess laughed, finishing on a sigh. “There isn’t, really.”
“Have it your way! What about Afric Brooks and Spencer Torres. Do they really fight all the time?”
“I could tell you but then I might have to kill you,” Jess said.
“Even if you swear me to secrecy?”
Jess pretended to think for a moment. “Did you hear that Spencer was given a massive German Shepherd called Snuggles for his birthday? We’re having to keep him at the hotel.”
Kate looked triumphant. “You can start with that.”