Page 5 of The Last Saturday In July
‘I know, it’ll be amazing. They’ll need loads of security, though, especially as Bobbie Grayson has bought exclusive media rights to the whole affair.’ Tiny alarm bells had started to ring inside Jess’s head, over the two-weddings-on-the-one-day scenario. And it didn’t help that in all likelihood she was probably still slightly in shock after the weekend. She wrapped her hands around her cup. ‘How’s Luke?’
Kate visibly brightened. ‘Spoiled rotten by Dad. They spent Saturday at the beach and spent Sunday watching football and getting takeaway. Luke said he beat Dad in four out of five chess games. Did you know Dad pays Luke a fiver for every match he wins? The boy’s only nine, for Heaven’s sake!’
Jess laughed, relaxing slightly.
After Kate had become pregnant in college, her parents had built her a tiny one-bed in their end-of-terrace garden. When Kate’s mother died, her dad had moved Kate and Luke into the family home, while he settled next door. Jess knew that he’d do anything for them.
Kate checked the time. ‘Come on, we should get back.’
They walked back to the office, a light breeze coming across the Grand Canal.
‘Look, aren’t they gorgeous?’ Jess pointed to a couple of swans on the near bank.
‘Hmm, they’re always there.’ Kate tugged her blazer around her slim frame. ‘I just realised – that wedding is probably around the same time as yours.’
‘Um, yeah, same day.’
‘What?’ Kate sounded shocked. ‘Did you say anything?’
Jess avoided her eyes. ‘Of course not. It’s not like I’ll be needed at the celebrity wedding – my focus is Linford itself. And, anyway, I’m not sure anyone knows I’m actually getting married.’
Kate gave her a look. ‘Remind me why you haven’t told people, Jess? It’s weird.’
Jess felt herself tense. ‘It’s not weird. Simon wants a winter honeymoon, so there’s no need to say anything for now. Plus, I’ve only been marketing manager for nine months. I don’t want Frank thinking I’m distracted.’
‘Let’s hope you’re not distracted on the day. What if something goes wrong and Frank depends on you to fix the problem?’ Kate’s eyes narrowed. ‘Plus, your wedding is only about twenty miles from Linford – word of it might get round, as news does in country places.’ When Jess didn’t answer, Kate asked, ‘Are you okay?’
God, she was so far from okay. She wished she could confide in Kate. But it was bad enough that she’d cheated on Simon – there was no way she could ask Kate to keep such a huge secret.
‘Just a bit wrecked.’ Jess managed a smile. ‘Catch you later.’
Jess closed her office door and sat down to view the Linford Castle website. It included a drawing of the original sixteenth-century castle, photos charting its recent upgrade, and a short video of the hotel’s highlights since its reopening. While Linford was beautiful, it was, as Kate pointed out, a destination hotel for the rich and, even with deals, they’d struggled to fill the twenty castle bedrooms. During the winter months, they’d managed to cost-rent some of their cottages to writers and artists, but Jess knew the group was desperate to start making real money from the place.
The previous owners had faced structural problems, not to mention the endless upkeep of an old castle. Then there was the Linford Curse, which, if legend were to be believed, had started in 1937 with a young runaway bride, Lady Helen Linford. When the castle reopened as a hotel fifty years later, those brave enough to marry in Linford’s tiny chapel or in the castle itself had experienced everything from unexpected appearances by ex-spouses and jilted fiancées, to full-scale reception brawls.
The final straw had been when a groom went into anaphylactic shock and died during the wedding dinner. After a massive lawsuit, Linford’s finances had never recovered, and the Charleston group had snapped it up at a bargain price. Since they’d reopened, there hadn’t been a single wedding booking.
There was a knock on the door and Frank Charleston stuck his head in. ‘Do you have a minute?’
‘Sure.’ Jess started to stand but Frank waved her back down and arranged himself carefully in the other chair.
‘I’m flying out to our head offices in Switzerland tomorrow, and I wanted to ask a small favour.’
‘Go ahead.’
‘My nephew, Adam Rourke, is coming to work with us for a while. Would you believe he’s never been to our Dublin office?’
Jess resisted an urge to groan. She knew exactly what was coming.
‘So, he’ll be here tomorrow, and I’ve asked him to work with you.’
Jess nodded politely. ‘Is he on work experience?’
Frank hooted with laughter. ‘Ah no, he’s a bit older than that. He’s even out of college.’ He winked, and Jess made sure to keep smiling. ‘He’ll be helping you with this celebrity wedding.’
‘Ah, brilliant.’ Clearly, Frank had lost his mind. She had enough to do without babysitting the chief executive’s entitled nephew.
Frank opened his hands in an expansive gesture. ‘You’ve probably guessed why I’ve asked you to be hands-on with this, Jess. We threw a ton of money at Linford, and we’ve been operating at a loss since day one. Like it or not, this celebrity gig will help inform our image. To begin with, anyway. Long-term, we can’t be relying on celebrities. Classy clients, Jess, that’s what we need. People who appreciate its history and beauty, as well as its luxury.’ He tapped the side of his nose. ‘I’ll leave you to dream up the magic.’
