Page 125 of The Last Saturday In July
Jess found herself holding her breath as Chelsea continued.‘The truth is, Angel Bruno knew about Leo and Brandi, and he was being paid by my ex to keep quiet.’Shit, Jess thought, she’d been right.‘In a way, that’s hurt me the most, because I’ve known him a long time, and trusted him to guide me in my life decisions. Now I know that the only person I can really depend on is myself.
‘Lastly, I want to thank the amazing Irish people and especially the awesome staff at Linford Castle. It’s truly a magical place.’Chelsea gave a coy smile.‘There’s someone else who helped me on Saturday.’There was a longer pause, and Jess held her breath. ‘Lady Helen Linford was the same age as me, when she knew she couldn’t go through with her wedding. She guided me when I needed her, showing me my way out, the very same way she escaped in 1937.’ Her smile widened.‘Find your truth, live your truth, be your truth.’The video ended.
Jess stared at her phone. Was Chelsea pretending that Linford had a ghost?
In fairness, it was a lot more exciting than admitting an actual person had shown her an escape tunnel. One thing was certain: her two and a half million followers would lap it up.
And once this spread beyond TikTok, there’d be a lot more than that. It might even work for the group, Jess thought. Or it might backfire horribly. In which case, Frank would have his pick of reasons to fire her.
Jess tried to think. She was tempted to drop by Adam’s office. A part of her dreaded seeing him again, but the other part couldn’t stop thinking about him. She needed to see him. Either way, Ian would have sent his report to Frank by now, so whatever Frank had decided, Adam would know. And if the last while had taught her anything, it was that it was better to face things head on.
Adam’s door was open, and for a moment, he looked startled to see her.
‘Take a seat, Jess, I didn’t expect to see you this morning.’ He lifted an eyebrow. ‘I heard what happened. I’m sorry you ended up under so much pressure trying to get to your own wedding.’
‘I didn’t …’
Adam’s phone rang, and as he picked it up to answer, Jess wiped her palms on her skirt. ‘Frank, I’m here with Jess, can I ring you back? Will do.’
Adam hung up and looked at Jess.
This was it, she thought, bracing herself. Frank had phoned Adam to talk about her and had maybe even asked him to fire her.
He cleared his throat. ‘So, a couple of problems with the wedding.’
Jess couldn’t speak. She could barely breathe. Adam scrubbed a hand across his face, and Jess wondered if he was trying to figure out how to break the bad news.
‘I spoke to Ian first thing this morning,’ he said.
Jess realised she was clutching the seat. ‘He told me you rescued the wedding. The only way it could be rescued.’
Jess felt the breath rush out of her, leaving her momentarily lightheaded. ‘What else did he say?’
Adam frowned. ‘Nothing, really, apart from what you’d expect, given that the groom married a different bride on the day.’
‘Right.’ Jess tried to focus. Was it possible that Ian had decided not to write that report? ‘So, what’s the problem?’
‘Just that the group’s marketing manager looked like a hired decoy for Chelsea.’ Adam’s tone was expressionless.
Jess reddened. She shouldn’t have to defend herself: Adam knew exactly why she’d had to leave like that. But she was determined not to make the conversation all about her. ‘Did you see the TikTok Chelsea posted twenty minutes ago?’
‘Give me the highlights.’
‘She says she’s no regrets, and that she was guided by Lady Helen Linford.’
‘Guided?’
‘That’s what she said.’
‘Right.’ Adam looked thoughtful. ‘Let’s see how that plays out. In the meantime, we have to explain why you were there, without making Leo look stupid.’
Jess folded her arms. ‘Give me a break, Adam, Leo made himself look stupid.’
‘I know.’ He sighed. ‘He’s still our client. The moment Chelsea left like that, she stopped being our client, so it’s Leo we have to concentrate on. Right now, we’re trying to convince him that you and Chelsea didn’t come up with that plan between you.’
Jess’s mouth dried. Had Adam guessed? Or had Ian in fact told him, and Adam was simply waiting to hear it from her?
‘Ian said you did everything you could to persuade Chelsea to go ahead with the wedding, but she gave everyone the slip.’ Adam swept a hand through his hair. ‘I know this wedding is making us money, and raising our international profile, but I’m just worried that after what happened, we may have managed to cement the Linford Curse.’
