CHAPTER 61
“I’m going to really miss you!” Emily flung her arms around Jess when she came up to Linford to say goodbye.
“I’m going to miss you, too,” Jess said, pulling out of the hug. “But we’re going to keep in touch, okay?”
Emily nodded. “Totally! Hey, Dermot and I are heading up to Dublin next month for a gig. We might catch up then?”
“Sure.” Jess smiled. “Let me know. And don’t lose touch with any of the girls, yeah? Things mightn’t always work out with a guy, so hang on to your friends.”
“You don’t have to remind me. Holly’s been great.
And I’ve been getting to know her gang really well.
” She wrinkled her nose. “I’ve decided to take down my jewellery website.
I was thinking it might become a bit demanding, and I don’t want it interfering with my job.
Anyway, I’m not sure I’m cut out for being a high-powered entrepreneur.
So I’ll just do it as a hobby and sell at the local markets. ”
“I’m really glad to hear that,” Jess said, not bothering to hide her smile. “We’d miss you too much if you left.”
The reception phone started to ring. “Hang on.” Emily picked up the call.
As Emily dealt with the phone call, Jess let her mind drift to her earlier conversation with Holly’s mum, Sylvia, when she’d handed back the key to Ivy Cottage.
“I hope you had a comfortable stay?” Sylvia had hurried on before Jess could answer. “I just wanted to say that I was completely against suing Linford Castle and I’m delighted it all worked out in the end.”
“We knew it was Ted’s idea.”
Sylvia had slipped the key back onto her own keyring before meeting Jess’ eyes.
“Ted wouldn’t be Linford Castle’s biggest fan.
” When Jess had said nothing, she’d added, “When the Charleston Group bought the hotel and did the big redevelopment, some of the local kids like Holly got jobs there.” She’d hesitated.
“Did you know that Ted’s son is a chef?”
“Sinéad mentioned it.”
“He was working for one of the restaurants in Dublin. Paying ridiculous rents to live there, of course.” She’d pursed her lips.
“At the time they were building those new apartments just outside the village, and Ted promised he’d help his young fellah to buy one if he got one of the jobs in Linford. ”
“And he didn’t?” Jess had already guessed.
“No.” Sylvia had sighed. “He got an interview but they told him to go away and get some more experience, and to reapply in the future. So off he went to London.”
“I doubt Anthony even knew about that,” Jess had said. “He wouldn’t have been conducting interviews for the kitchen staff.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Sylvia had pointed out. “As far as Ted is concerned, Linford Castle and its management are Enemy Number One.”
Now Emily put down the phone and looked at Jess. “So listen, I wasn’t going to say anything, but now that you and Robert have broken up …”
“It’s okay,” Jess gave a wry smile. “You can say it.”
“Holly told me I dissed him when I first arrived down. There was a gang of us from the hotel on a night out in The Tin Whistle, and she said he was there.” Emily chewed her lip.
“I remember a few guys coming on to me, Jess, but I wasn’t being deliberately rude.
To be honest, like, I don’t remember him. ”
He’d just been another guy trying to make an impression on Emily that night. And Emily had only vaguely remembered him when Jess had introduced them during that early photoshoot in the castle’s courtyard. She wondered if that had stung the most.
Mrs McDonagh came out to the foyer from the direction of the orangery. “Emily, can I have a quick word when you have a minute?” She turned to Jess. “I heard what you did. Totally mad, but it doesn’t surprise me.”
“I doubt there’s a lot that surprises you in this place,” Jess said.
“Nothing that escapes me, either. The sooner those bloody tunnels are locked again the better.” Mrs McDonagh gave a small sniff. “No doubt we’ll be seeing you soon.”
Not too soon, Jess thought, as she gave Emily a final brief hug, before heading to Anthony’s office.
“Just coming to say goodbye.”
“Jess!” He beamed. “I don’t know what to say. We owe you a lot.”
She returned his smile. “Happy to help, Anthony. Um, could I ask a small favour before I go?”
“Name it.”
“I’d love to take one last ride out.” She hadn’t been riding since that disastrous day with Robert. And it’d be good to leave with a better final memory.
“Be my guest, Jess.” Anthony got to his feet and shook her hand. “Thanks again.”