Page 35 of Love like the (Real) Reel Thing
“I didn’t even need to clean it up. By the looks of it, it hadn’t been there that long.”
“But they haven’t done any shooting in the tunnels yet.” Anthony frowned. “Of course, we did have men go in to check they were completely safe – but they hardly had a camera.”
“Maybe one of the camera team went in to have a look?”
Anthony sighed. “The problem is there’s too many people around the place.”
“Is there any danger someone else could have got in?” asked Jess. “Like, a member of the press?”
“Highly doubtful,” Anthony said. “Everyone working on the film and every single person who’s supposed to be here, including all of our staff, were given security passes before filming began. Plus, you can only access the tunnels from within the castle.”
“Hm.” It was a double security measure Jess had almost forgotten about.
“I’d love to be able to lock them again.” Anthony massaged his temples. “In the meantime, I’ve decided to meet with all the staff today. For our own sake, we need to be more accountable and transparent. So, until all this is over and our guests have left, I’m going to make it a rule that none of the staff are allowed to be anywhere near the filming, no matter where it’s happening. They also won’t be allowed to go to their lockers to check theirphones during the day. If there’s a family emergency, there’ll be somebody available to answer one of our landlines.”
Jess took a moment to absorb this. “Do you think one of the staff is behind the leaks?”
“God only knows, Jess.” He looked at her. “I can’t afford to rule out the possibility. The sooner this is over, the better, though.”
Jess was halfway down the main driveway when she spotted Robert coming across the field towards her.
“Hi, I didn’t know you were here today. I didn’t see you earlier.”
He grinned and fell into step beside her. “Ah, I’ve only been here about half an hour, I’m on my way home. So, what was your day like?”
“Interesting.” Jess rolled her shoulders. “I got to spend time in one of our tunnels.”
“You and those tunnels!” He laughed and Jess forced herself to smile. “Listen, there’s a new restaurant in Kilshanley. Do you fancy trying it out some night this week?”
“Sure.”
Jess felt herself relax as he reached over and briefly squeezed her hand. She loved how uncomplicated Robert was. In fact, she loved how uncomplicated her life was right now. It was the perfect antidote.
To everything.
CHAPTER 18
@starzwatch: Afric Brooks has been badly hurt following a terrifying ordeal in the infamous Lady Linford tunnel at Linford Castle. A source on the set ofAn Irish Inheritancehas confirmed that two members of Linford’s staff were with her at the time. #TheLinfordCurse
Jess finished a couple of hours of work in the orangery, grateful that the doors to the large patio area and some of the windows overhead had been left open. The west of Ireland was having the hottest June on record, and the kind of temperatures normally expected in the southeast of the country.
Now, with the sun at its highest, she packed up her laptop, pocketed her phone, and decided to head back to the cooler surroundings of Ian’s office for the rest of the day.
As she emerged from the east corridor into the foyer, she realised the film crew were shooting a scene at the base of thestairs behind the hidden lift, leaving her no room to pass. Just as she turned to retrace her steps, Doug cut the scene.
Dermot stepped back from behind the camera lens and caught Jess’s eye. “Do you want to get through?”
“Sure.” Jess started to pick her way carefully over cables and around equipment as Spencer stepped off the bottom stair.
“Can we have a word, please, Doug?” Spencer asked.
“Sure thing.” Doug grabbed Jess’s elbow as she walked past. “Wait up a minute, honey. We need to talk.”
He probably just wanted to know what exactly had happened in the tunnel and whether the accident could have been avoided. Which it could have if Afric had simply listened to her and not panicked!
Maybe he even wanted to apologise to her for having to put herself through all that in the first place. Especially as it had been a complete waste of time.
Spencer ran his hands back through his hair as he approached Doug. “I’m losing my cues because Afric isn’t following the script.”
