Page 13 of Love like the (Real) Reel Thing
Any moment now, her face would literally burst into flames. She couldn’t explain what had really happened – she didn’t even know this guy.
“Listen, why don’t you let me buy you a coffee sometime?” When Jess hesitated, he added, “I’ll fill you in on everything you’ll need to survive village life.”
“Oh, God, no.”
His smile slipped slightly and she realised how abrupt she’d sounded.
“I mean, that’s very kind, but I’m down here to work.”
“I work too. But I get time off.”
Jess thought for a moment. Apart from some of the staff at the castle, she knew nobody in Linford. And Robert seemed friendly. The fact that he was also pretty fit made no difference. After six weeks, she’d be gone. Plus, it was only a coffee. She returned his smile.
“How does tomorrow suit?”
CHAPTER 8
Linford Castle was a hive of activity when Jess returned after lunch. As set designers continued to add the finishing touches to their outdoor sets, the Linford staff worked on cleaning and preparing the hotel.
The head of housekeeping and Holly were coming out of one of the hotel’s luxury cottages as Jess strolled up the tree-lined driveway, enjoying the early-afternoon sun on her face. She waved to Holly.
“Did you like Ivy Cottage?” Holly shouted.
The other woman frowned at her, but Holly ignored her and marched over to Jess. “Can you believe we still have to wear these uniforms even though there’s nobody here at the moment? Do they think we’re all going to forget how to do our jobs if we work in our own clothes for a while?”
Jess shot her a look of sympathy. “They must be pretty warm all right. But I heard that some of film crew are arriving later this evening.”
Holly brightened. “I know. I heard all the crew are Irish, including the makeup and costume people, which is pretty cool.And the actors are arriving tomorrow.” Her face fell slightly. “Although we’ve all been warned not to ask for selfies or autographs, and we’ve had to sign non-disclosure agreements. I spend my life having to sign NDAs!”
Jess suppressed a smile. “They’ll be mad busy. I’ve no idea how long it takes to shoot a movie, but I suppose they have a strict schedule.”
Holly shrugged. “I’ve no clue. Don’t most of these movies just get made in studios?” Before Jess could answer, she added, “What did you think of the cottage? Pretty grim, right?”
Jess briefly debated being honest but remembered just in time that Holly thought ‘discreet’ was a line of sanitary products.
“Not at all, I love it. It’s really cosy, and it’ll be dead easy to keep clean.” Right, that was enough of that. “I’d better let you get back to work.”
Holly frowned. “Oh, fair enough. Anyways, I’m here if you want to know anything. Not just about the house but about the village and stuff.”
“I’ll definitely keep it in mind,” Jess said. She looked up at the grand facade of Linford Castle. The ivy that climbed over its four-hundred-year-old stone walls had been cut back since last time she was here. “I wonder if they’ll want to change a lot inside.”
“Well, I know they’re planning on using the old tunnels.” Holly seemed delighted to have insider knowledge.
Jess shot her a worried look. “Where did you hear that?”
“Mrs McDonagh.” Holly gestured to the housekeeper who was now giving her pointed looks. “Apart from Mr Neary, Mrs McDonagh knows everything about the hotel. She told me that the tunnels have been unlocked, except for the one in the Whispering Gallery above the Great Hall because it’s supposed to be way too dangerous.” She widened her eyes meaningfully.
Jess simply nodded. Of the castle’s three tunnels, only two had been used in recent times. The old staff tunnel that led from the kitchens had been featured in a promotional video. The other led from the Lady Linford Suite and had been used by their celebrity bride the previous year to escape her wedding! She’d completely forgotten about the tunnel in the Great Hall but was relieved to hear that at least one of them would remain locked.
Holly flicked another look at the housekeeper. “Better go, excuse me.” She hitched up her long skirt and hurried off to one of the cottages.
Jess tried to dismiss a feeling of unease as she went back inside. If the filmmakers were planning to use Linford’s two other tunnels, one of which ran from the Lady Linford Suite into Linford Wood, it was likely they’d remain unlocked the whole time.
The last time that one had been left unlocked, they’d had a runaway bride. And despite appearances on the day, it hadn’t been her.
She took a deep breath. There was absolutely no need to worry because this was a totally different situation. This time, there was no danger that anything could go wrong.
“I remember the moment I knew I wantedAn Irish Inheritanceto be made here.” The film’s director, Doug Strathan settled back into an armchair, stretched his long legs out in front of him and beamed at Anthony and Jess.
