Page 66 of Love like the (Real) Reel Thing
“I think she’s in good form,” Jess forced herself back to the present. “You know what she’s like, though. You’d never hear if there was something wrong.”
“Yeah.” Zoe frowned. “Do youthinksomething’s wrong?”
A memory of Moira’s birthday party came to mind – her nana’s joking references to her aging friends. But no, she’d been her usual cheerful self.
“I don’t think so.” She gave a small smile. “I miss you.”
“Miss you too. Stay busy! It gives you less time to think.”
“Good advice.”
“Look at me, giving you advice.” Zoe blew her a kiss. “I’d better go. People to bullshit and all that.Ciao.” She hung up.
Stay busy, Jess thought.Don’t think. Not too much, anyway. Which was fine, because work was keeping her busy enough, and there wasn’t a lot to do otherwise. Even the nearest cinema was in the next town. God, she had to stop thinking like a city person.She wondered if it had ever bothered Adam. If it had, he’d never mentioned it.She had to stop thinking about Adam!
Her phone pinged with a WhatsApp from Emily.People starting to ask where Afric got herring!!!!Gonna use my 2 days off to build a website for my jewellery.
Sounds grt,Jess replied.I want to be the first to see it when it’s finished.
Mid-week market in Kilshanley on Wednesday,Emily texted back.I’ve taken a stand to sell some jewellery.
Jess thought for a moment. She hadn’t taken any time off since she’d arrived down, and with filming on hold for a couple of days, things would be quiet at Linford.
Before she could change her mind, she texted back,I can come along if you want. Let me know if I can do anything for you.
A reply pinged in almost immediately.OMG, thank you! Can we take your car?
Jess grinned.Sure.
CHAPTER 33
@AfricBrooks: Psyched that @SpencerTorres and I back with each other. We got together during our first movieWhy Don’t We Do This?Can’t keep secrets forever. #AnIrishInheritance
Jess picked up Emily at her apartment early that Wednesday morning and helped her carry a small suitcase and a large, plastic art folder to the car.
“What’s all this?” she asked.
“All my jewellery is in the case,” Emily said. “And my new posters are all in the folder. I got Afric’s permission to blow up a screenshot of her from her story, showing off my ring!”
She’d underestimated Emily, Jess thought. The girl was a genius! “I didn’t know you were so talented.”
“Neither did I,” Emily said modestly. “I just needed something to do when I first moved down here. I didn’t think I’dbe so good at jewellery design and crafting. I started with copper – most people do. But silver is such a cool look.”
Jess shifted gear and overtook a large truck that had pulled over to the hard shoulder to let her pass.
“It must have taken you ages to build up a big enough collection to do this, though.”
“Not really, I had a lot of time on my hands after work.” Emily turned to look out of the window.
Jess wondered whether to say anything else. But she knew what Emily meant, she didn’t have to spell it out.
“I want to buy a few pairs of earrings from you,” she said casually.
Emily laughed. “Aw, Jess, that’s so sweet but, like, don’t feel you have to.”
“I want to,” Jess insisted. “I’ll buy some for me and I know Kate and Zoe would love them too.”
“Mate’s rate, then. And before you say anything about the money, it’s my stuff and I can sell it for what I want.”
