Chapter One #2
She tilted her head from side to side. “A fraction better than the week before. But we hit it lucky with that tour group who took a wrong turn.” Unfortunately, Ballyluck wasn’t a destination on the tour circuit. It was more of a blink and you’ll miss it kind of place.
“I really thought that we would be swamped with customers after they started filming Always the Bridesmaid,” Piper said. “The set is only a couple of miles away. People should be flocking to the area. Did they get lost? Where are they all?”
“It’s four point seven miles from here, to be exact. Which sadly, is far enough away for people to avoid stumbling upon us.” Niamh pulled out the chair opposite Imogen and sat down.
Imogen slid the accounts across the table. “Specific.”
Niamh lifted a shoulder in an attempt to look nonchalant. “It’s possible that I did some googling to see how close we are to Bridget Clemonte and Amelia Whitlock.”
“It’s google-able? I need to see.” Piper set the brush down and grabbed her phone. “I can’t believe they are in the same country, let alone right down the road.”
“Who?” Imogen asked. She had of course heard that they had started filming somewhere nearby a couple of weeks ago, but the details hadn’t interested her nearly as much as Piper and Niamh.
If it was beneficial for the business, then great.
Other than that, Imogen didn’t care. Actors and actresses were just humans too, and fame was probably on the bottom of the list of things that impressed her these days.
Her ex, Chelsea, had been obsessed with it.
Craving it. Chasing it. There was very little that Chelsea wouldn’t have done to get herself noticed—Imogen had discovered that firsthand.
So, celebrities or wannabe-celebrities weren’t on Imogen’s radar.
She actively avoided that entire world. When was the last time she had even turned on her TV?
Definitely not since she had moved to Ballyluck.
The pub took up most of her time. When they weren’t open for business, then they were working on improvements.
Cleaning. Painting. Fixing. The very odd time when Imogen did have some downtime, she much preferred to get outdoors or relax with a good book.
Thrillers, mainly. Because romance was another thing that was not on her radar.
Been there, tried it. Wouldn’t recommend.
“Oh my God, Immy, are you serious?” Piper momentarily stopped scrolling to stare at her. “They’re only like the two biggest actresses in Hollywood right now.”
“Not to mention, Amelia Whitlock is an out and proud lesbian actress,” Niamh said, matching Piper’s enthusiasm. “I think Bridget Clemonte is straight, but she’s queer in the film so she gets points. She’s playing the bride who falls for her bridesmaid—Amelia Whitlock.”
“It’s going to be so good. Those two are so hot anyway but imagine them together.” Piper closed her eyes like she was doing just that. “I don’t even have the words.”
“Wow. That must be a first for you,” Imogen teased her.
Piper stuck her tongue out and went back to her phone.
“I had hoped that the movie would pull a few more people into the Wishing Well too. I wonder if there’s a way that we can still use it to our advantage.” Niamh drummed her fingers on the table as she ran her eyes over the accounts.
“Like themed drinks?” Imogen suggested.
“No point in having themed drinks if we don’t have anyone to drink them,” Niamh replied.
“I don’t know. One Pint Willy might expand his horizons. Treat himself to a little Hollywood Highball.”
Niamh pointed at her. “Good name. I appreciate the creativity. I do. But it’s bums on seats that we need right now. Then we can start to think about fancy cocktails.”
“Oh my God, you guys!” Piper threw herself on the seat beside Imogen. “There’s an open day!”
Imogen didn’t follow. “In Ballyluck?” Did villages have open days? Maybe it was a way to show off the area to tourists or something. Recruit visitors. Country places were weird sometimes.
“No, you goof. They are opening the set of Always the Bridesmaid to the public for a whole day! There’s a full tour, and it says that there is even a meet-and-greet with some of the cast.”
“You’re joking!” Niamh practically leapt across the table to pull the phone out of Piper’s hand. “Holy shit, it’s on Wednesday. What day is it today?”
“Sunday.” Piper yanked her phone back and kept scrolling. “It says there are some tickets still available.”
“You guys should totally go,” Imogen said.
Niamh shook her head. “We can’t both go and leave you here by yourself. That’s why we always book training courses separately. So, there’s always at least two of us here.” She let out a sigh. “But you should go, Piper. I’ll stay here.”
Piper waved her off. “I couldn’t go without you.
It wouldn’t be the same, besides I’d feel bad.
” She paused for a few moments. “Why don’t we all go?
Surely it won’t break the bank too much if we close for one day.
Will it? It won’t even be a whole day, only a few hours in the afternoon.
We would be back in time for the evening rush. ”
Imogen was sure they had yet to experience an actual rush, but the evenings were a bit busier. Afternoons did bring a few customers though, and they needed them all right now. “I’m afraid it would break the bank at this point.”
“It’s fine. We don’t have to go. It probably won’t be very good anyway.
These things are always overhyped,” Niamh said.
Except her voice was laced with disappointment and it sounded like she didn’t believe that at all.
And Piper looked like someone had eaten her last Pringle, which was a major thing.
Piper loved Pringles. Always kept a stock of each colour.
Imogen couldn’t stand to see their sad little faces. “Book two tickets. I’ll hold the fort.” She held up a hand when Niamh went to argue. “I’m sure I can manage by myself for a few hours. Didn’t you say it was on a Wednesday? Wednesdays aren’t even that busy.”
Piper gave Niamh a hopeful look. “That is true. It will basically just be One Pint Willy, the Gossip Girls, and that couple I think are having an affair.”
Niamh considered it for a few seconds. “Are you sure?”
“Well, I’m not sure-sure,” Piper said. “But they always arrive in two separate cars, and one always parks around the back. Then they get all cosy together in that booth over there.” She pointed across the room to the booth with the shabby red fabric that badly needed replaced.
“But their eyes dart to the door every time someone comes in and they stop holding hands. Seem guilty to me.”
Niamh regarded her. “That’s great detective work, Pipes. But I meant is Imogen sure about being left here alone.” Niamh turned to Imogen, and they shared a fond smile—Piper regularly veered off topic. “Are you sure you don’t mind?”