Page 57 of For Love or Money
‘We haven’t set the date yet,’ Peter said.
‘Well, there’s no rush, is there? You’ve got plenty of time.’
‘I’m not sure that’s true for me, dear boy,’ Peter chuckled. ‘Although the way this one looks after me,’ he said, nodding at Stella, ‘I’ll probably outlive the lot of you.’
‘We’re thinking about September,’ Stella said.
‘Yes, if we can work out the logistics,’ Peter said. ‘Obviously, we want the whole family to be there, so we have to see when we can round everyone up.’
‘Well, I’ll be around. Shooting doesn’t start until October.’
Stella knew that Rafe’s next project was being filmed at Ardmore Studios and on location in Dublin.
Rafe glanced at his father. ‘Actually, I’ve decided to move back to Dublin permanently. I’m going to get stuck into house-hunting as soon as I get back from Nice.’
‘Oh, that’s marvellous news!’ Peter beamed. ‘Well, you must stay here with us while you’re looking. Mustn’t he?’ He looked to Stella for confirmation.
‘Yes, of course.’ She smiled to cover her consternation. She wasn’t entirely comfortable with the idea of having Rafe at such close quarters in the long-term. She felt safe in her little bubble with Peter, and anything that threatened to pierce it seemed a bit scary.
‘Well, if you’re sure I wouldn’t be intruding?’ Rafe looked between his father and Stella.
‘Of course not. There’s loads of room here, and we’d love to have you. And Francesca too, of course,’ Peter added a little uncertainly. ‘It’s still Francesca, isn’t it?’ he asked with a frown.
Rafe shook his head. ‘Francesca and I split up.’
‘Oh. Sorry to hear that,’ Peter said, not appearing at all surprised. Rafe was notorious for hooking up with his co-stars on whatever project he was working on at the time, but the relationships didn’t tend to last much beyond the shooting schedule.
Rafe shrugged. ‘It’s fine.’
‘What happened?’
‘She found out she was pregnant.’
‘Oh!’ Peter reared back in his seat in shock. ‘Well, that’s ...’
‘It’s not mine,’ Rafe said quickly. ‘Turns out she was sleeping with her agent for ages. But he’s doing the decent thing now and leaving his wife for her.’ He drained his glass, reached for the wine bottle and poured himself another.
‘Oh. Is that the decent thing?’ Peter asked.
‘Francesca thinks so.’ Rafe smiled crookedly. ‘I doubt his wife would agree.’
‘Well, you certainly don’t seem too cut up about it.’
‘Fair play to her,’ he said. ‘She always wanted kids.’
‘And you didn’t?’ Stella asked, regretting the words as soon as they were out of her mouth. It was too personal. She’d only just met Rafe.
He looked at her in silence for a moment. ‘Not with her,’ he said finally.
‘Wait,’ Peter frowned, ‘didn’t you and Francesca have the same agent?’
‘Not anymore. There’s a limit to my forbearance.’ Rafe grinned with relish.
‘Good for you! Hit him where it hurts, eh?’
‘Right in the heart of his fifteen percent.’
Peter laughed. ‘Still, it’s a pity she won’t be coming to Nice. I thought she could be a friend for Stella.’
