CHAPTER 39
Jess met Robert after work to go for drinks with Emily and Dermot.
“Are you sure Emily wants us crashing her date tonight?” Robert had said when Jess had asked him to come.
She’d decided to be honest. “It’s not a date-date. And I told her we’d go for one or two drinks, and then leave them to it.”
He’d considered it for a few moments. “Fair enough. Look, why don’t you come back to mine afterwards and stay the night?”
Jess had hesitated, before dismissing the brief, uneasy notion that they were trading favours.
Still, they’d planned to go riding up at the castle early the following morning, so it made sense to spend the night together.
And with such a short time left here at Linford, it was wrong to stress about stuff like that.
She needed to relax and go with the flow.
The pub was busy when they went in, but there was no sign of Emily or Dermot.
“We should try to find somewhere for the four of us.” Jess was scanning the room slowly, looking for an empty table, when her eyes locked with Adam.
Shit, why was he here? He was with his girlfriend, whom he was completely ignoring right now because he was staring at her!
Look away, Jess. If you look away now – shit, he’d looked away first.
Two people stood up and headed towards the door, and Jess grabbed their table and sat down, carefully positioning her back to Adam.
“Wine?” Robert said.
“Corona with lime, please.” As soon as he left, she took out her phone and scrolled absently through her social media.
If she looked, would she find pictures of Adam and new girlfriend together?
Why would she bother checking though? It wasn’t like she needed to know.
She was better off not knowing. Nope, she was doing this.
She searched for his account, careful not to click on his story so he’d know if she viewed it.
Instead, she scrolled quickly through his posts, a bit surprised that he’d posted nothing about his new girlfriend.
In fact, nothing at all since their break-up.
She closed the app and put her phone away. It didn’t mean anything, she reminded herself – he hardly bothered with social media most of the time.
Robert was still at the bar when Jess spotted Emily and Dermot, and she waved them over.
“We ran into each other outside.” Emily was blushing furiously as she pulled up a vacant stool to the table.
Dermot looked around. “Would we not be better off trying to get one of the snugs?”
Jess shrugged. “Oh, you never know how many will turn up. We might be okay here.”
He nodded. “Can I get you some drinks?”
“Gin and tonic for me, please,” Emily said.
Jess shook her head. “I’ve one on the way, thanks.”
After Dermot went to the bar, Emily fanned her face with her hands. “Omigod, I’m so nervous. Have I gone all red?”
“Not even slightly,” Jess lied. “Chill, it’ll be fine, I promise. The hardest part is over!”
Emily tugged nervously at her hair. “You think?”
“I’m positive. And you look amazing.” Jess gestured to Emily’s cut-off pink top and low-cut jeans. “How’s life as a movie star?”
Emily giggled. “Exciting! At the start I didn’t really feel I was part of it, but I do now. It’s massive to think I’m going to be in something that everyone’s going to see.”
Robert came back with drinks. “Hi, Emily.” He sat down. “What are you girls talking about?”
“Emily was just saying how exciting it is to be part of the movie – something that so many people will watch,” Jess said.
Robert smirked. “You ready to chuck in the day job, Emily?”
“I think it’s just fun to try new things,” Emily said.
Dermot returned with two gin and tonics. “Good to see you, Robert.”
“From what I’ve heard, working on the movie hasn’t been that much fun,” Robert said. “Does anyone actually believe that bullshit about Afric and Spencer suddenly being together?”
“Not really any of our business,” Dermot said.
“Yeah, probably better not to talk about them,” Emily agreed. “There’s been so many leaks already.” She smiled at Dermot as she lifted her glass. “Cheers!”
Dermot grinned and clicked his glass against Emily’s.
Jess remembered what Lisa had told her about delays.
If the executive producers thought it might not finish on time and to budget, they’d pull Doug and Mel and put in their own director to finish the movie.
And that would fuel rampant media speculation and endless leaks.
While it was down to the studio to finish on time, given her role as troubleshooter – and with hotel bookings just days after filming was due to wrap up – this was her problem too.
A burst of laughter from the bar brought her back to the present, and she switched her attention to Dermot.
“So, where in Donegal is home, Dermot?”
“Killybegs, lovely place.”
“Yeah, but you haven’t lived there in ages, have you?” Emily beamed. “Not with working full-time in the movie business.”
“What’s that been like?” Robert asked.
“Good so far.” He put down his beer. “I was living in Arklow for a while, working in Ardmore and Ashford Studios. That was where I got to know Afric when she was making that Irish film, Robin, and we stayed in touch.”
“Dermot worked on Afric and Spencer’s last movie too,” said Emily.
He shrugged. “I got lucky but, yeah, it was great to work out in the States. And I was just finishing another job out there when they were looking for crew for the early scenes shot in Seattle, so I crewed up.”
“Congratulations! Hollywood movies on your CV!” Jess said.
“Ah, I don’t mind where the work comes from once I’m working.”
Jess thought quickly. “Do you mind me asking, have you heard anything about the filming planned to take place in the castle tunnels?”
“I haven’t.” Dermot shrugged. “I don’t know what they’re like, but you’re not going to get quality lighting and sound in a tunnel. But look, I’m not the director, so I can’t say what they’ve planned.” He cleared his throat. “How’s the jewellery-making business, Emily?”
She flushed again. “I’ve had a few people ask if I could make them a ring like Afric’s.”
“Afric might be looking for her money back if she finds her ring isn’t a one-off,” Robert teased.
“Oh, she didn’t –” She caught Jess’s eye. “Er, do you think she’ll be upset? I mean, they’re handmade, so they’re all a bit different.”
“Just go for it, Emily. Don’t overthink it,” Dermot said.
“Dermot’s probably right,” Robert agreed. “How are you settling into Linford, by the way?”
“Great, thanks.” Emily glanced shyly at Dermot. “Starting to love it, actually.”
Robert nodded. “There’s pros and cons to living in a village this size.
People get to know everything about you.
” He picked up his drink again. “It’s not always a bad thing – it can make people feel safe.
But nobody forgets anything either.” He added jokily, “Anyway, now that Emily is one of us, we’ll all be keeping a careful eye on you, Dermot. ”
“It’s not like, we’re not that …” Emily stumbled over her words. “Dermot’s not … like, we’re not …”
“Oh, sorry.” Robert looked puzzled.
Dermot just grinned. “Easy mistake to make with us rocking up together like that.” He winked at Emily, who was now radiating enough heat to keep the whole pub warm.
Christ, Jess thought, poor Emily would have been better off if they hadn’t shown up. She glanced at Robert, who shrugged and mouthed a quick ‘sorry’.
“Excuse me.” She stood up, shooting Emily a meaningful look.
“Right, yeah.” Emily scrambled to her feet. “Me too.”
They headed straight for the ladies’ which, to Jess’s relief, were empty.
Emily sagged against a wash-hand basin. “Do you think he’s guessed?”
Jess gave her a sympathetic look. “Does it really matter if he has? I think he likes you.”
“Maybe?” Emily chewed at a purple nail and then seemed to remember it was acrylic. “You definitely think he does?”
“Definitely.”
“I think Robert likes you too, you know.” Emily tucked her hands into her armpits.
“I know.” Although he’d put his foot in it tonight, she should have spelled things out more clearly for him. “When we finish these drinks, I’ll suggest that we head off.”
As they approached their table, Robert and Dermot were chatting but broke off as they sat back down.
Jess cleared her throat. “I was just telling Emily that Robert and I won’t stay long. We’re up really early tomorrow morning to go riding at Linford.” She remembered she’d never asked Emily if she’d be interested and made a mental note to correct that. “Do you ride, Dermot?”
He flicked a quick look at Emily. “Not really, no.”
Jess turned to Emily but she seemed distracted by something or someone behind them. Shit, it had to be Adam. She wouldn’t look, she’d pretend she hadn’t noticed. Except that her whole body seemed to be tensing now that she could sense him approaching.
Reluctantly, she turned slightly, her stomach knotting as their gazes clashed. He and his girlfriend were leaving – and they had to pass by their table. They stopped, and for a long moment Jess felt the full impact of Adam’s gaze.
“Hello, Jess.” He turned a full-wattage smile on Emily. “Good to see you, Emily.”
“Hi, Adam.” Emily coloured slightly.
“I’d highly recommend the chowder with homemade soda bread.”
Jess tried to smile but it felt more like a grimace.
“We’re not eating, but thanks for the recommendation.
” Her gaze flitted briefly to his girlfriend, a wave of unwanted jealousy hitting her as she studied her pretty, heart-shaped face, dark, glossy hair and slender figure.
She’d been right about her height, too. Even in flats, she had to be at least five foot ten.
She waited for Adam to introduce her, but all he said was, “We’d better go, we’re in a bit of a hurry.”
The woman smiled briefly at Jess and, as they moved away, Jess heard her mention her name and saw Adam nod in response. So, he’d told his new girlfriend about her.
“Wasn’t that the guy who was in your office that day?” Robert said.
“Oh, that’s Adam –” Emily began, but Jess cut across her.
“He’s the head of European operations for the group.” She shot Emily a brief, warning look. “We rarely see him. He’s working down here for a few weeks, that’s all.”
Dermot changed the subject, and Jess tried to tune back into the conversation, but she couldn’t get the image of Adam and his girlfriend out of her head. They’d looked so relaxed and happy together. Had she and Adam ever been like that? Maybe, for a few short months.
“Jess?” Robert leaned towards her. “Where are you?”
She shook her head. “Right here.”
“I was thinking we might head off.”
Jess glanced at Emily, who gave a less-than-discreet nod. She looked back at Robert. “Good idea.”