Page 47 of Love like the (Real) Reel Thing
“Happy birthday, Moira!” A huge roomful of people raised their glasses and cheered the almost-eighty-four-year-old that Saturday evening.
The evening was balmy, and the doors between the two large reception rooms and the French doors that led to the garden, had all been thrown open.
Jess had driven up from Linford early that morning, excitement at the thought of seeing her family growing as the miles sped past. She’d arrived to find her mother and Jess’s two closest cousins decorating the house, and for the next while she’d put everything else out of her mind as she helped them to string up balloon garlands, birthday banners, and coloured fairy lights, before arranging some large, chunky candles around the patio.
By the time the caterers arrived, Carmel had opened a second bottle of Prosecco, and Jess, Sarah and Faye had time to take a break and catch up on each other’s news. Both her cousins had avoided mentioning anything about Adam, or the miscarriage, asking her instead about the movie and behind-the-scenesgossip. Jess wondered if her mother had warned them not to say anything that might upset her.
“Jess! How are you, love?” Her Aunt Maggie swept over to her and gave her a hug, enveloping her in a fug of perfume. She pulled away and looked her over. “You’ve gone very thin. Are you eating properly?”
Jess stifled a sigh. She could see where her mother got it – all her sisters were exactly like her.
“I’ve just cut down a bit on the chocolate, Maggie.”
“Very wise!” Maggie wagged a finger at her. “You don’t want to be getting diabetes. It’s a growing problem, you know.” Her expression softened. “But how are you, love? Really? You can tell your Auntie Maggie anything, you know.”
Jess smiled, ignoring the sudden stinging in her eyes and nose. “I know, thanks. But I think the time in Linford is doing me good.”
Maggie nodded. “Your mam says you’re staying in a cottage.” Her eyes twinkled. “I’ve been picturing a little whitewashed cottage with rambling roses and a thatched roof. And a lovely young man living next door, for when you need help from a lovely young man!”
Jess started to laugh, blushing at how close Maggie was to the truth. The cottage was basic, but Robert was local – if not right next door. She knew they didn’t have the same explosive chemistry she and Adam had had – but a slow burn had to be better in the long run.
Not that she was thinking long term. Was she? No, she couldn’t think of anything long term at the moment. She needed time to heal.
But shewashealing! She’d deliberately avoided her wider family for ages after she and Adam had split, terrified that their combined love and sympathy would overwhelm her. Now, she was glad of them.
“Soarethere any lovely young men?”
“A few of them,” Jess fudged. “But I’m not looking for anything romantic. I’m there to work. I’ve an office in the castle – it’s really exciting seeing the filming happening every day.”
“I’m going to get another glass of wine,” Maggie said. “And then I want to hear everything. Leaving nothing out!”
“I’ve hardly seen you all afternoon, Jess.” Moira patted the seat beside her later that evening and Jess sat down, reaching over to give her nana another hug.
“I know.” Jess grinned. “But I had to get in line.”
Moira beamed. “Would you believe every member of my bridge group came along today? There’s sixteen of us.”
Which would account for the number of people she hadn’t even recognised. The house had large reception rooms, but the place was bursting, and she was glad it was warm enough for people to be outside.
“It’s lovely to see Uncle Séamus too,” Jess said. “I haven’t seen him in ages.” The truth was she hadn’t seen her dad’s older, unmarried brother since her aborted wedding the previous year.
Moira nodded. “He’s not very sociable, Séamus. Not like your dad, love.”
Jess was just about to remind her that her dad’s favourite place was his greenhouse, but she supposed it was all relative.
“He’s more like your granddad, God rest him,” Moira continued. “I rescued him from a life by himself but not every man gets so lucky.”
Jess wondered if she was joking, but Moira seemed completely serious.
“It’s very important for a woman to know her self-worth, Jess,” Moira went on. “I think you do. Most of the time, anyway. I think you were right not to go ahead with your wedding.”
“Oh.” Jess wasn’t sure how to react. It was the first time her nana had talked to her about that decision.
“I know things didn’t work out with Adam.” Moira paused, and unconsciously Jess glanced around the room. “Nobody is listening to us.” She patted Jess’s arm. “It’s hard enough to hear yourself in here, never mind anyone else.”
“I’d rather not talk about –” Jess began.
“I’m only saying this,” Moira said, leaning in. “You were hurting when you broke up with him. Maybe you should consider giving things another chance.”
