Page 33 of The Last Saturday In July
‘No, similar names.’ Jess shot the younger woman a quick smile and wondered if she’d imagined Leo’s faint look of derision.
‘Angel, I believe you’ve organised the menu with our banqueting manager?’ Ian said.
‘Yes, that was interesting.’ Angel’s tone was dry.
‘We’re having a full Victorian menu,’ Chelsea said. ‘But most of it will be vegan, obviously.’
Leo snorted. ‘Not all vegan. Some of us want to eat real food.’
Jess met Adam’s eyes briefly. ‘Excellent.’
Chelsea looked relieved to have a break in the conversation. ‘You know, I’m totally in love with the grand hall. All those paintings and crystal chandeliers. It’s like one of your casinos, isn’t it, Leo? Imagine how awesome it’ll look when it’s decorated.’
Leo smiled indulgently.
Jess’s phone buzzed. ‘Sorry.’ She declined the call as she saw Kate’s name flash up on the screen.
‘So.’ Ian rubbed his hands. ‘They’re the broad strokes, and Angel and I will keep in touch. Now, who’s for the grand tour?’
Chapter 14
AS JESS and Adam said their goodbyes, Leo pressed a card into Adam’s hand. ‘If you run into any problems, contact my personal assistant.’
‘I can’t foresee any problems that Ian and Angel can’t sort,’ Jess said as they walked back to Adam’s jeep. ‘Although it’s pretty weird to ask your life coach to be your wedding planner.’
‘Maybe less weird than travelling around with your life coach.’ Adam grinned. ‘I wonder how Leo feels about Angel.’
Jess thought back over the previous hour. ‘If you ignore all the nonsense Chelsea actually believes, I think she’s quite sweet. I’m not sure about Leo, though.’
She didn’t mention that she’d managed to grab a private word with Ian before leaving, and he’d assured her that although he’d appreciate their help in the run-up to the celebrity wedding, it was unlikely that either of them would be needed on the big day, as the staff at Linford would have everything under control.
‘I nearly forgot, I missed a call from a friend – can you give me a minute?’
‘Take your time.’
Jess walked away to phone Kate, who picked up after a few rings.
‘Jess?’ she shouted down the phone.
‘Yeah, is everything all right? Did you get my message?’
‘I can’t hear you, hang on!’ There were some shuffling noises, followed by a bang and, when Kate came back on, she sounded like she was in a tunnel. ‘I got your message.’ She sighed.
‘It’s fine. I just wanted to let you know that I rang Simon, and he offered to come instead.’
‘Simon’s there now?’
‘Yes.’ Kate sounded distracted. ‘The kids are all on the climbing wall, and I can’t leave Simon on his own with them. He says he won’t make dinner at your parents’ place later, because he’ll have to catch up on work. I’d better go, I’ll see you Monday, yeah? Bye.’ She hung up.
Jess sighed. She felt bad for forgetting about the party, but she wished Kate’s default position wasn’t always to turn to Simon. She had a niggling feeling that Kate tended to use him, because he was a soft touch where Luke was concerned. Jess knew it wasn’t easy for Kate being a single mother, but her dad lived right beside her. Why hadn’t she asked him, or one of her brothers or sisters-in-law for help? Sometimes the way Kate went on, people would swear she was an only child.
‘Everything okay?’
Jess turned. Adam was looking closely at her, and Jess pushed Kate and Simon to the back of her mind.
‘Everything’s great.’
They climbed into the jeep and Adam drove slowly down the long driveway.
