Page 6 of Love like the (Real) Reel Thing
“It’s definitely made a difference.” Jess beamed at her, delighted that Moira was the object of her parents’ attention. She loved them both, but she was starting to feel stifled. She figured things mightn’t feel so intense if Zoe, her younger sister, wasn’t currently living in Vegas with her partner Finn. Which meant she was the sole focus of her mother’s scrutiny.
Carmel gave Tom a worried look. “I hope you’re not lifting weights without supervision, Moira.”
“Don’t fuss, Carmel.” Moira patted her hand. “I have a lovely young gym instructor to help me out. I’ll tell you now, if I was ten or fifty years younger …” She winked at Jess.
Jess grinned in return. Then, as Moira chatted about the gym, she let her mind wander back over the day. Kate had rung her when she’d got back to the office after lunch, asking if she and Adam had had a proper talk. Jess knew that Kate hoped she and Adam would get back together, but it wasn’t going to happen. Anyway, she needed to be on her own for a while. Eventually she’d move on. So would Adam. Her insides squeezed at the ideaof Adam meeting someone new, and she made herself tune back into the conversation.
“Only you have to be careful, Moira,” Carmel was saying. “Weightlifting is good for your bones but you have to start small. Otherwise you could do yourself awful damage.”
“I appreciate your concern,” Moira said firmly, “but Idowant to look well for my birthday party in August. We’re celebrating here, aren’t we?”
Carmel smiled. “Don’t we always?”
Seeming satisfied, Moira turned to Jess. “What about your news, Jess? How’s work?”
Jess took a deep breath. “Actually, I’m getting a chance to do something different for a while.”
Moira beamed. “Excellent, tell us everything!”
Jess filled them in about the movie.
“Is it a whodunit?” Moira asked.
“A romantic comedy, Nana.” She looked at Carmel and Tom. “What do you think?”
“Sounds like an adventure, Jessie.” Her dad winked at her and helped himself to some more potatoes.
“Well, I suppose it’ll be nice to have a bit of a break, Jess,” Carmel said. “I know the last few months have been very tough on you.”
Jess took a deep breath. “And you’ve all been great. But I haven’t had a holiday in a while, and working remotely will be just as good.”
“So what exactly will you be doing, Jess?” Tom looked puzzled.
“Apart from my usual?” Jess shrugged. “I’ll be there to troubleshoot. Not that I can imagine there being much trouble.”
“Well, I think you’re very brave to venture back down to Linford Castle after your last escapade.” Moira’s mouth twitched, and Jess gave a reluctant laugh.
“It’ll be completely different this time, Nana.”
CHAPTER 4
@Goss.ie We’re so excited for @SpencerTorres and @AfricBrooks upcoming movie which will start filming in the next few days at our own Linford Castle in Mayo. Even better, it’s an enemies to lovers romcom about two people who jointly inherit – you guessed it – an old Irish castle. #AnIrishInheritance
Jess packed up her car and drove down to Linford Castle the following Tuesday. The cast and crew ofAn Irish Inheritancewere due to arrive the following weekend, so Anthony Neary had invited her to stay at the hotel until the cottage he’d secured for her in the village was given a structural check and a professional cleaning. “It belonged to a relative of one of our staff,” he’d told Jess. “The family are happy to lend it.”
As Jess drove up Linford’s winding, tree-lined driveway, she could see what looked like a partially constructed outdoor set in the furthest west field near the river. A few minutes later,the early seventeenth-century castle came into full view, with its imposing square turrets and high stone walls, partially covered by ivy.
She pulled up at the castle’s west side and turned off the engine. As she walked around to the main entrance, memories of the previous July flooded back and she wondered if she’d unconsciously avoided coming to Linford since then.
Pushing open one of the heavy, oak double doors, she stepped out of the warm, late May sunshine into the cool exterior of the grand foyer. She took a moment to appreciate its high, arched, wood-panelled ceiling and four vast fireplaces, which she knew would have been swept and cleaned after the winter season before being filled with large arrangements of fresh flowers.
“Jess? Is that you?” Emily O’Brien hurried over to her. “I couldn’t believe it when Mr Neary said you were coming down!”
“It’s so good to see you!” Jess hugged Emily tightly.
She hadn’t seen her in seven months, since Emily had made the move from head office to work as a receptionist at Linford. She’d missed her so much, she realised as she pulled back, trying to pinpoint what was different about her.
“You’ve dyed your hair!” Even with the low bun Emily had to wear as part of the hotel’s strict Victorian-style uniform, Jess could see that her blonde hair was whiter than she remembered.
