Page 110 of The Last Saturday In July
‘Nobody. She’s on her own, Jess.’
Jess checked the time. ‘I’ll talk to her, Ian. But you needn’t bother with a call. I’m not in Dublin. Actually, I can probably be there in about half an hour.’
Ian barely hesitated. ‘Thank you, Jess, I appreciate it.’
Jess hung up. She could do this, but she’d need some help. And there was only one person she could trust.
Chapter 45
‘YOU KNOW this is completely nuts.’ Zoe drove at speed in the direction of Linford Castle. Beside her, Jess looked at her watch for the millionth time. ‘I know, what’s your point?’
Zoe shot her a sly look. ‘That it’s probably the most exciting thing you’ve done in the past three years. Apart from your hen weekend. And after today, you’re doomed to a lifetime of safety!’
Jess huffed out a breath, rooting out her phone to check if Chelsea had posted anything else, but there was nothing. Her earlier TikTok had started to trend, along with speculation about what it meant.
Chelsea Deneuve posts cryptic TikTok on her wedding day: will the California Girlfriends star be a no-show?
Jess scrolled down.
Speculation grows that Chelsea Deneuve has fled Linford Castle hours before she’s due to marry fiancé, Leo Dinardia.
She refreshed her feed.
Is Chelsea’s wedding day TikTok code for Leo and Brandi’s secret affair?
‘Shit.’
Zoe glanced over. ‘What?’
Jess shook her head. ‘It’s starting to hit the fan.’
Zoe grinned. ‘Hey, your wedding day will be memorable.’
‘Right, because weddings are usually so forgettable.’ Jess leaned back against the headrest and tried to stay calm. So far, the day had been fine. Úna had arrived not long after them, and they’d been treated to champagne and strawberries while having their hair and makeup done. If Jess managed the next hour cleverly, she’d make her own wedding, without anyone even knowing she’d been gone.
‘Hey, you might get to see Finn.’
Zoe snorted. ‘That’s what you’re thinking about?’ When Jess said nothing, she added, ‘Just ring her, Jess.’
Jess blinked hard. ‘She doesn’t want to ...’
‘It’s your wedding day, what have you got to lose? Anyway, stop apologising. Tell her what she deserves to hear, not what you think she wants to hear.’
Heart thumping, Jess picked up her phone again. ‘I’m just not sure what to say. I don’t want to say something I’ll regret, Zoe. And to be honest, I don’t think I’m …’ She jumped, nearly dropping her phone as it started to ring. ‘Oh God, it’s probably Ian … shit, it’s Kate.’ She swiped the screen. ‘Hi.’
Kate’s voice crackled on the other end. ‘Jess? I’m really sorry. For everything. I’m on my way to the hotel. If I’m still welcome.’ She paused. ‘Because I’d totally get it if you didn’t want me there.
‘You’re coming?’ Jess’s eyes stung.
‘It’s your wedding, Jess, and you’re my best friend. There’s nothing between me and Simon, I promise you.’
There was a loud noise in the distance.
‘Kate? Are you there?’ Jess strained to hear.
‘Yes, but I’ve pulled in illegally. I have to move; I’ll see you in about an hour.’
‘About that, Kate. Zoe and I are on our way to Linford. There’s a slight problem with the celebrity wedding, and I want to see if I can help sort it. I have my dress with me, I’ll be back on time.’
