Page 77 of Love like the (Real) Reel Thing
She closed the app and put her phone away. It didn’t mean anything, she reminded herself – he hardly bothered with social media most of the time.
Robert was still at the bar when Jess spotted Emily and Dermot, and she waved them over.
“We ran into each other outside.” Emily was blushing furiously as she pulled up a vacant stool to the table.
Dermot looked around. “Would we not be better off trying to get one of the snugs?”
Jess shrugged. “Oh, you never know how many will turn up. We might be okay here.”
He nodded. “Can I get you some drinks?”
“Gin and tonic for me, please,” Emily said.
Jess shook her head. “I’ve one on the way, thanks.”
After Dermot went to the bar, Emily fanned her face with her hands. “Omigod, I’m so nervous. Have I gone all red?”
“Not even slightly,” Jess lied. “Chill, it’ll be fine, I promise. The hardest part is over!”
Emily tugged nervously at her hair. “You think?”
“I’m positive. And you look amazing.” Jess gestured to Emily’s cut-off pink top and low-cut jeans. “How’s life as a movie star?”
Emily giggled. “Exciting! At the start I didn’t really feel I was part of it, but I do now. It’s massive to think I’m going to be in something that everyone’s going to see.”
Robert came back with drinks. “Hi, Emily.” He sat down. “What are you girls talking about?”
“Emily was just saying how exciting it is to be part of the movie – something that so many people will watch,” Jess said.
Robert smirked. “You ready to chuck in the day job, Emily?”
“I think it’s just fun to try new things,” Emily said.
Dermot returned with two gin and tonics. “Good to see you, Robert.”
“From what I’ve heard, working on the movie hasn’t been that much fun,” Robert said. “Does anyone actually believe that bullshit about Afric and Spencer suddenly being together?”
“Not really any of our business,” Dermot said.
“Yeah, probably better not to talk about them,” Emily agreed. “There’s been so many leaks already.” She smiled at Dermot as she lifted her glass. “Cheers!”
Dermot grinned and clicked his glass against Emily’s.
Jess remembered what Lisa had told her about delays. If the executive producers thought it might not finish on time and to budget, they’d pull Doug and Mel and put in their own director to finish the movie. And that would fuel rampant media speculation and endless leaks. While it was down to the studio to finish on time, given her role as troubleshooter – and with hotel bookings just days after filming was due to wrap up – this was her problem too.
A burst of laughter from the bar brought her back to the present, and she switched her attention to Dermot.
“So, where in Donegal is home, Dermot?”
“Killybegs, lovely place.”
“Yeah, but you haven’t lived there in ages, have you?” Emily beamed. “Not with working full-time in the movie business.”
“What’s that been like?” Robert asked.
“Good so far.” He put down his beer. “I was living in Arklow for a while, working in Ardmore and Ashford Studios. That was where I got to know Afric when she was making that Irish film,Robin, and we stayed in touch.”
“Dermot worked on Afric and Spencer’s last movie too,” said Emily.
