CHAPTER 44
“I don’t know what happened, Mr Rourke. I’d just brought him back from his walk and –”
“How much did he eat, Gerry?”
Jess jumped when she heard Adam’s voice just outside her office door. She sighed and slipped on some noise-cancelling headphones, hoping he’d forget she was here and not involve her in whatever the hell was going on.
The cast and crew had left early that morning for two days’ filming on Achill Island and, as the staff enjoyed a little downtime, Jess was also relishing some peace and quiet.
Now there was a loud barking that sounded suspiciously like Snuggles.
She put her head in her hands. Why did they have to do this in the foyer? And why was Adam involved?
What did it matter? If he wanted to get stuck in, she’d leave him to it.
Excellent – she could forget about him now.
A few moments later, she slipped off the headphones.
They were still there. She sighed and got to her feet – she should see what was going on.
Not that she cared even slightly about Adam, she told herself firmly. This was about Spencer’s dog.
She stepped out of her office just in time to see Adam and the dog disappear out the front door. Gerry, Snuggles’ minder, looked ashen as he met her eyes.
“What happened?” Jess asked.
“I left him in his room in the basement for a nap after our walk.” Gerry swallowed hard. “I don’t know how he got out but he managed to get into the brownies one of the chefs made for tomorrow. You know how dangerous that is to a dog.”
“Did it happen just now?”
Gerry shook his head. “I’m not sure. When I left him, he was sleeping. Mr Rourke said he’s taking him to the vet.”
“Shit!” Jess ran outside but there was no sign of either of them. Had Adam already left?
There was no vet in Linford, but she was pretty sure she’d seen a clinic when she and Emily had been in Kilshanley.
Would he know that? He’ll figure it out, Jess, it’s not your problem.
Except that she was fairly sure that the accidental poisoning of the lead star’s beloved pet fell squarely into her remit.
A familiar-looking jeep roared around from the west side of the castle and Adam pulled up in front of her, a downcast Snuggles strapped into the back seat.
“Jess, get in!”
She opened the passenger door and hopped in, pulling the door shut and snapping on her seatbelt. “Gerry told me what happened.”
Adam nodded and turned the car towards the main gate. “Do you have your phone?”
“Yes.” She took it out of her pocket.
“Put in our location and find the nearest vet.”
“It’s in Kilshansley – I know where. Just drive, Adam.
I’ll phone them and let them know we’re on our way.
” She looked up the number and rang, twisting in her seat to check on Snuggles.
His eyes looked glazed. After talking to the receptionist, she hung up and glanced over at Adam.
“He’ll be taken immediately. They’re a bit concerned that we don’t know when or how much he ate. ”
After they got through the gates, Adam turned right for Linford Village and they drove in silence for a while.
“I gave our Scottish terrier half of my Easter egg when I was a kid and he had to have his stomach pumped,” Jess said, throwing another glance over her shoulder at Snuggles. The dog gave a whimper. “Hang in there, boy, you’re going to be fine.”
Adam flashed her a brief smile and Jess remembered she’d told him the story when they’d been together. He slowed to a stop as they came to the crossroads onto the main road.
“Jess, about the other night –”
“Can we not talk about it, Adam? Please?”
He turned left for Kilshanley. “I was just going to say that you managed it really well. As I said, you were authentic – people appreciate that.”
“Oh, right.” She glanced over. “Thanks.”
She wondered if he’d mention their kiss and, when he didn’t, she pushed down the disappointment that curled through her. Boundaries, Jess, remember those? Adam was obviously busy redrawing his own.
Snuggles whimpered again from the back seat and Adam sighed. “Why was this guy Gerry left in charge of the dog? He’s clearly an idiot.”
“I suppose it could happen to anyone, Adam,” Jess said, trying to be fair. “And I’m not sure how experienced Gerry is with dogs. Ben Colbert was around for a while after he brought the dog to Linford so he was minding him. It’s a pity he didn’t stick around.”
“People have their own lives, I suppose.” Adam changed down gear to let a cyclist turn left ahead of them.
Like his girlfriend? She hadn’t seen her in a few days, so she assumed she’d had to go back to her own job.
She was so tempted to ask about her but doubly determined not to come across as jealous.
Which she wasn’t. Definitely not. It just felt …
odd seeing him with someone else. Okay, maybe she was a teensy bit jealous. But that was completely normal.
Did Adam miss her now she wasn’t here? Probably, they’d seemed close. So why had he kissed her the other night? And why had she kissed him? Annoyed with herself, she sighed and folded her arms.
“What’s wrong?”
Jess looked over. “Why do you always think something’s wrong?”
“You made that sound you make when something’s wrong.” He shot her an amused look. “You sort of huffed.”
“I didn’t huff.” Jess tried not to sound even more annoyed.
“My mistake,” Adam said, cheerfully. “So, apart from Snuggles being poisoned by chocolate, most of the cast and crew being poisoned by dodgy chicken curry, and the local river being poisoned by a paint spill, how do you think things are going?”
Jess looked over as his mouth twitched, and she started to laugh. “Shit, things have been a bit disastrous. Okay, but on the upside, I’ve a whole new social media campaign ready to go. Doug and Mel have been great about letting me use some behind-the-scenes footage.”
Adam chuckled. “That’s a new departure for you, isn’t it?”
“What?”
He shook his head. “I remember you hated the idea of Linford playing host to over-the-top celebrity weddings. Now you’re embracing movie stars.”
“It’s not the same thing,” she protested.
“You’re right. A six-week, on-location Hollywood movie is way less disruptive.”
“Whatever.” Jess smiled reluctantly. “People change.”
He looked over. “Yeah, I guess they do.” He held her gaze for a moment before turning back to the road. An uneasy silence settled between them and Jess was grateful when she spotted the sign for Kilshanley.
Adam changed down gears quickly as they came into the village. “Right,” he said briskly. “Let’s get this dog sorted.”
“We’re lucky we got him here as fast as we did,” Jess said as they walked back to the car hours later. Snuggles had had his stomach pumped and the vet had insisted they stay for some time after the procedure to make sure he was okay. “He must have eaten that full batch of brownies.”
Adam checked the new muzzle he’d bought at the clinic, before giving the dog a bit more lead. “I wonder if Spencer will be able to get pet insurance for him back in the States?” He clicked his tongue. “We can’t afford to let anything like this happen again. Gerry needs to do his job properly.”
“Are you going to say anything to Anthony?” Jess asked.
“No, I don’t think so, but I’ll tell Gerry he’s getting a warning.” He seemed to think for a moment. “This fellah could probably do with a short walk before we get back. Just to make sure he’s okay.”
Jess checked the time. “Yeah, sure.”
Adam swapped the lead to his other hand, the freed hand brushing lightly off Jess’s wrist, and she suppressed a sudden temptation to slip her hand into his. She folded her arms tightly across her chest.
“So, how did you meet Robert?” Adam asked conversationally.
Jess rolled her eyes. “Oh puh-lease! I know exactly how you feel about Robert.”
“He’s not my favourite person.” Adam’s tone was even. “I’m just asking how you met him.”
Jess shrugged. “He’s a structural engineer.
When Blue Star Studios needed somebody to oversee their set design, Anthony put Robert in touch with them.
And he also checked over the old cottage I’m staying in.
” When Adam said nothing, she added, “He’s been invaluable to Blue Star Studios.
” She had no idea whether that was true, but it was a fair guess.
Anyway, she reminded herself, she shouldn’t have to defend him.
They walked in silence for a few moments. Then, Jess gave Adam a quick side glance. Hiss mouth was set in a firm line, his jaw so tight his teeth were probably at risk.
He stopped and turned to her. “That’s just a resumé, Jess. How well do you actually know this guy? How involved are you?”
“Oooh, a two-part question!” She resumed walking.
“I’m just concerned,” he said, falling into step beside her.
Like you were when you ghosted me? When you pissed off back to Switzerland? “I don’t need you to be concerned, Adam. I’m quite capable of looking after myself.”
He started to say something but, as they reached the corner of the street, Snuggles started to growl and strain on the lead.
“What’s wrong, boy?” Adam kept a tight grip.
At that moment, a couple of teenage boys, walking an unmuzzled German Shepherd, rounded the corner and Jess watched in horror as it broke free, ran and jumped at Snuggles, snapping and growling.
“Get hold of your dog!” Adam shouted, doing his best to pull Snuggles out of the way.
Oh crap, first he’d had to have his stomach pumped. Now he was being attacked by another dog. Spencer would sue them! If he ever found out, obviously. He couldn’t find out! Which would be difficult if there were dog bites all over him.
The two boys were now shouting at their dog and jumping around in a vain attempt to distract him.
Acting on instinct, Jess stepped on the other’s dog lead, which was trailing across the pavement, and reached to grab his collar. Growling, the dog twisted, forcing her to let go.
“Shit, Jess!” Adam grabbed her arm and pulled her behind him.
“Grab his lead and get him out of here!” he shouted at the boys.
“Keep your fucking wig on!” one of the lads shouted back but, to Jess’s relief, they got hold of their dog and dragged him across the street.
Adam turned to Jess, putting his hand under her chin to lift her face towards him. “Are you okay?”
She nodded. “I’m fine, thanks.” A bit shakily, she pulled away. “The most important thing is that Snuggles didn’t get hurt.”
“Yes, that’s the most important thing,” Adam said dryly. “You’re shaking – that dog could have really hurt you.”
“It didn’t.” She took a deep breath as she tried to calm her pulse.
He frowned. “You could probably do with some sugary tea, or something. We passed a café on the main street. Let me buy you something, please?”
“Or we could just go back to Linford and I could get something there.” Her phone started to ring, and she took it out of her pocket. “It’s Robert.”
“Don’t answer it, Jess, please?”
Adam seemed so sincere that for a moment she hesitated. Technically, it was a working day and she was working. Sort of. She didn’t have to take personal calls. Unless it wasn’t personal? Maybe she was needed back at Linford. In which case Anthony or Emily would call her.
At the same time, she couldn’t let Adam think that she didn’t want to answer a call from Robert. It would send out the wrong signal, blur those boundaries again.
Ignoring the disappointment in his eyes, she swiped to answer. “Hi.”
“Hi, I was just wondering if you were around? Or if you’ve managed to have any lunch yet?”
“I haven’t, actually, I’ve been busy.”
“Me too. I was hoping you’d have a picnic with me?”
“A picnic?” She glanced at Adam, trying to read his expression.
“I could ask Marco to put together a basket,” Robert said. “I just thought that with the castle so quiet for a couple of days, you could do with a treat.”
“That’s so thoughtful, Robert, thank you.”
Adam rolled his eyes and Jess turned and walked a few steps away.
“You know we’re going to Emily’s party later on?”
“Which is why I think we should treat ourselves to an hour together – just us, nobody else around. When will you be back from Kilshanley?”
“Um, I don’t know, half an hour, maybe? Hang on, how did you know I was in Kilshanley?”
There was a beat. “I bumped into one of the staff,” Robert said lightly. “He told me what happened.”
Was that why he’d suggested a picnic? Because he knew she was with Adam? No, she was being paranoid. Robert had no idea that she and Adam had ever been together. He was just trying to do something nice.
Why was she even debating it? There was nothing to think about. “I’ll be back in half an hour – maybe twenty minutes.”
“I’ll meet you on the east side just outside the orangery.” Robert’s voice was warm. “I’ll have everything ready.”
“See you then.” Jess hung up and looked at Adam. “We should get back, Snuggles could probably do with a rest anyway.”
“Tell Robert something’s come up,” Adam said suddenly. “We’ll get Snuggles back and then we’ll drive somewhere and get some lunch.”
Jess counted to five. Adam was delusional if he thought they could just turn back the clock and ignore everything that had happened. She refused to feel guilty for getting on with her life.
“I’ve made my choice, Adam.”
He strode past her in the direction of the jeep. “I suppose you should be relieved that he didn’t suggest going riding again. I know I am.”