Page 92 of Love like the (Real) Reel Thing
“I’ll meet you on the east side just outside the orangery.” Robert’s voice was warm. “I’ll have everything ready.”
“See you then.” Jess hung up and looked at Adam. “We should get back, Snuggles could probably do with a rest anyway.”
“Tell Robert something’s come up,” Adam said suddenly. “We’ll get Snuggles back and then we’ll drive somewhere and get some lunch.”
Jess counted to five. Adam was delusional if he thought they could just turn back the clock and ignore everything that had happened. She refused to feel guilty for getting on with her life.
“I’ve made my choice, Adam.”
He strode past her in the direction of the jeep. “I suppose you should be relieved that he didn’t suggest going riding again. I knowIam.”
CHAPTER 45
Jess and Holly were the first to arrive at Emily’s apartment for the party that evening. They shouldered their way carefully through the front door carrying wine, beer and snacks – all of which Jess had made sure to buy at Ted’s store.
Sinéad had said nothing as she scanned through the items, and Jess wondered if Ted was still annoyed that the residents had voted to drop the lawsuit against Linford Castle. They’d never please everyone, she knew, but it’d be better to have the residents’ association chairperson onside.
“So, Sinéad,” she’d ventured, “Emily O’Brien, one of the receptionists at Linford, just moved here recently. She’s living up in the –”
“I know where she lives,” Sinéad had said, with a little sniff. “Linford’s a small place and word gets around pretty quickly if anyone new moves in.”
“Right.” Jess had offered her warmest smile. “The thing is, she’s having a housewarming and she’d love for you and Ted to come.”
Sinéad had fumbled with a bag of peanuts. “Well, we don’t know her. Sure, she hardly shows her face in here.”
“Only because she has breakfast and lunch at the hotel and she often just gets a pizza in the evening.” Jess had crossed her fingers behind her back. “Which is why she asked me to make sure that I got everything for the party from you and Ted.”
Sinéad had softened slightly. “Well, that’s nice. But look, she doesn’t want people our age there. It’ll be for kids like Holly Doyle and her gang.”
“It won’t be.” Jess had been firm. “She’d love as many locals as possible to come along, so she can get to know people.” She’d packed up the last of the groceries. “I’ll have to come back for the drink.”
“Don’t worry about that.” Sinéad had produced a roll of stickers from under the counter and started to write Jess’s name on them. “I’ll get Ted to deliver to your place later.”
As Jess had turned to leave, Sinéad had added, “If I’m not busy, I’ll come along for a while. But don’t expect Ted. He’s not one for parties.”
Emily looked remarkably relaxed as Jess and Holly left the drinks and snacks in the kitchen. Jess noticed there was an almost empty bottle of wine on the counter. Which might explain Emily’s current state, she thought.
“Catch up, girls!” Emily grabbed a couple of glasses and emptied the bottle before opening another.
“We should chill some of this wine.” Jess opened the box she’d put down on the kitchen counter. “Er, you might want to pace yourself a bit, Em.”
“But what if nobody comes?” Emily wailed. “Like, we’ve invited all these people but say if they decide they’ve way betterthings to do on a Friday night than hang out with me? This is why I hate parties – the pressure is too much!”
Jess and Holly exchanged glances. “Okay, you didn’t tell me you hate parties.”
“I hatehavingthem,” Emily said. “They’re totally stressy.”
Holly gave her an impromptu hug. “Agreed.”
Jess should have given them separate pep talks. “Okay, listen, it’s still really early and nobody’s going to come until about nine o’clock anyway. Which gives us loads of time to set everything out and choose the music.Um, is Dermot coming?”
Emily sighed and shook her head. “He’s out on Achill Island with the rest of the crew.” She peeked into one of the bags Jess had brought. “I’ll get some more bowls and plates.”
Jess walked over to the sofa and sat down. After everything they’d done, tonight had to be a success. She’d text a few people to see if they’d come a bit early – starting with Robert.
Jess caught Emily’s eye shortly after ten o’clock, and the two women exchanged a grin across the crowded living room. There were at least forty people crammed into the apartment, including residents from the two other apartments on Emily’s floor.
Robert had arrived late, explaining that he’d had a project to finish and, as Jess handed him a beer, it struck her that she hadn’t missed him once the other guests had started to arrive. Still, they’d spent some time together earlier, she thought, suppressing a niggle of guilt.
