Page 101 of The Last Saturday In July
‘Right, look, just don’t let Frank catch you making personal calls.’
‘No, it’s all good, he rang me.’
Jess stifled a sigh. ‘Why were you looking for me?’
Emily flicked her hair back off her shoulders. ‘I was wondering if you could put in a good word for me at Linford Castle? For a receptionist job.’
Jess blinked. ‘You want to move to Mayo? Do you not like working here?’
Emily shrugged. ‘It’s not that I don’t like it, it’s just Linford would be kind of cool. I’d meet loads of people from all around the world, I’d get to see big celebrity weddings, and I wouldn’t be living at home with my parents. I could actually like, afford to rent somewhere, because unless I want to live in somebody’s attic, I can’t afford anywhere in Dublin.’
Jess thought of Zoe and Finn. ‘Yeah, I can see that.’
‘Plus,’ Emily lowered her voice, ‘I’d have no problem finding a decent fellah. Everyone knows the west of Ireland is full of single men looking for women. I could end up with a rich farmer.’
‘True.’ Jess grinned. ‘But I think they might be a lot older than you.’
Emily gave a dramatic sigh. ‘I need an older man. All the guys my age are complete tools. And I don’t think Adam’s interested in me.’
Jess made her excuses quickly before Emily started to talk about Adam.
Zoe rang her at lunchtime. Jess was eating a tuna-and-sweet-corn roll at her desk, because she couldn’t face bumping into anyone, least of all Kate.
‘Hey, Zoe.’ Jess brushed away some crumbs.
‘Have you taken refuge in Cadbury Land?’
‘I’m having lunch. I’m okay, I told Simon last night.’
There was a brief silence. ‘About Adam?’
Jess sighed. ‘I didn’t exactly mention him, I told him I had a drunken one-night stand on my hen night. Honestly, Zoe, that was enough to dump on him.’
‘So, what happened? Don’t leave anything out.’
Jesus, Zoe made it sound like she was catching up on an episode ofFair City. ‘What do you think happened? He was shocked and devastated, and I was lucky he didn’t kick me out there and then. Eventually, he said he wanted to sleep on it, so I spent the night on the sofa bed.’
‘Wow.’ Zoe breathed the word. ‘And this morning he said it was all good?’
Jess tried to swallow, but the food was stuck in her throat. She swigged down some water.
‘You still there, Jess?’
‘Yeah. Look, things are so far from all good, but he wants to put it behind us.’ She dropped the rest of her roll in the waste basket. ‘Oh, and he kissed Kate at his stag.’
‘Holy shit. That probably explains the meltdown at your dress fitting.’ When Jess didn’t reply, Zoe said, ‘Do you want me to come in and meet you?’
‘No, I’m fine.’ Jess pressed the heels of her hands into her eyes. ‘Okay, I’m not fine, but I can’t overthink the kiss. Simon had a couple of drinks, and we were on a break and Kate was there, and one thing led to another. It was a kiss. Compared to what I’ve done, I don’t know how he can even forgive me.’
‘I guess he loves you.’ Zoe sounded uncertain. ‘Isn’t that what you wanted?’
‘Yeah.’ Jess spoke quietly. ‘I’m lucky to have him.’ She moved her hands up to rub her forehead. ‘And I really need one thing in my life to be normal right now.’
‘What about Kate, have you talked to her?’
‘I can’t face her, Zoe, she hates me for what I’ve done.’
‘Maybe it’s not that, though.’ Zoe spoke slowly. ‘Maybe Mam’s right about her being jealous.’
