“
Do I detect a mutual
-
admiration society here?
”
Sylvia commented bluntly.
“
I
’
ve been dying for Sam to meet the right girl. Maybe you
’
re the one.
”
She cocked
her head to one side, looking Ellie over.
“
Oh, definitely not,
”
Ellie giggled.
“
I
’
m getting married
next January.
”
“
What a pity! You and Sam would be perfect together.
”
Sylvia shook her head in disgust as Ellie blushed a
deep red.
“
He has a girlfriend
–
Orla
–
hasn
’
t he?
”
Sylvia pealed with laughter.
“
God, no! Orla
’
s his cousin. She sometimes helps out here. Anyway, let me show you how the company system is set up.
”
They spent the next hour going over everything that Ellie would be responsible for. It seemed straightforward enough.
“
It
’
s great that you
’
ve done the wine course. It all
makes more sense then. Okay
,
time for coffee and chocolate biccies,
”
Sylvia said, leading the way to the small kitchen behind the office.
“
I
’
m really pleased that you
’
re joining us,
”
she told Ellie, he
r voice serious,
“
and I know Sam is too.
”
“
Yeah, well, it
’
s a lifesaver for me, you know. I lost my job last Friday.
”
“
So Sam said.
”
Sylvia then went on to talk with pride of her baby daughter Isolde who was eighteen months old.
“
Thank God I
’
ll get to see more of her, now that you
’
re here.
”
Ellie was happy to be helping out. It was great. She felt she was really needed here. She couldn
’
t wait to start. Somehow she felt it was the start of a whole new life. The song was right – behind every cloud was a silver lining. Who would have thought it?
45
Rachel did her usual pampering on Wednesday and then went to the TV studios to discuss the following day
’
s filming with Zita and her production assistant. It was all so exciting and she
’
d bought a beautiful new Louise Kennedy suit for the day and a fabulous Richard Lewis silk jersey dress for the evening. Everything was ready to go.
The following morning the crew arrived at the house at seven thirty and Rachel invited them all in for coffee. The children were looking adorable and had been warned to be on their best behaviour.
Carl greeted Zita with a handshake and although she held it for a fraction too long she was cool and professional towards him, thank God. He breathed a sigh of relief. Having his wife and lover in the same room made him uncomfortable.
Zita saw how great he came across on film. He was one of those rare people that the camera loved. She really must seriously consider doing a programme on him in the future. That would give them a great excuse to be seen
together without raising eyebrows. Yes, she must definitely
look into it.
After filming the family breakfasting together, they followed Rachel to the care home in Baldoyle where she talked to the elderly residents there. From there it was on to the local day-care centre where she chatted with the staff and even joined in the karaoke session that was taking place. She then went to a charity luncheon being held for the hospice and worked the room like an old pro. She had a natural charm which came across on camera and Zita knew they
’
d have some great footage for the programme.
After lunch it was on to the summer school where she presented prizes to the children taking part. From there she went to the local Brownie camp-out and presented certificates to the little girls, delighted that Becky was one of them.
It all made for terrific filming and Zita had to admire the gracious way Rachel dealt with everyone she met. She appeared to have boundless energy and never flagged for a second.
In fact Rachel was in her element, feeling like an actress playing the part of a politician
’
s wife.
So what if people thought she did this every day? They wanted actio
n and she
’
d given it to them.
On the way home she stopped off in Superquinn to pick up some last-minute things and then home to cook dinner for her wine group. She had considered getting caterers but it would look so much better if she did it herself and besides, she did love cooking. All the time the cameras rolled and Rachel almost felt like a contestant on Come Dine With Me. Thank God the guests wouldn
’
t be marking her efforts though. That would have been too much!
By the time Carl arrived home Rachel was all glammed up in her new Richard Lewis dress and looking forward to the evening ahead.
Carl presented his wife with a big bouquet of flowers and
,
as he kissed her and whispered something in her ear that made her smile, Zita felt the pangs of jealousy stir. Seeing them together with the children was heart
wrenching. They were the picture of the perfect family, all blonde and beautiful.
The children were adorable and were allowed to stay up to greet the guests.
Sam and Ellie arrived first and Zita lifted an eyebrow at the fact that they
’
d arrived together. Was she missing something here? Ellie straight away bent down to chat to Jacob and Becky and it was obvious that she loved kids. Sam seemed a little uncomfortable with the cameras on him. He looked stupendous with those gorgeous dark eyes gazing moodily into the camera. God, he was sexier than most film stars!
Ronan was
next to arrive and he also had brought a bouquet of flowers for Rachel. He seemed shy in front of the cameras which didn
’
t surprise Zita. He was a lovely bloke.
They filmed everyone having a glass of champagne and then Zita called for attention.
“
Okay, everyone, we
’
re not going to spoil your evening by filming every bite you put in your mouth. We
’
ll just restart when you sit down to table and after the first course has been presented, we
’
ll wrap up. Alright?
”
Sam and Ronan both heaved a sigh of relief and even Ellie was not too happy to be in the spotlight. Rachel was pleased. She
’
d had enough for one day.
She served the starter and Zita called
, “
Okay, it
’
s a
wrap
!”
as the stifling hot lights were turned off and everyon
e relaxed.
The camera crew clapped spontaneously and Rachel blushed sweetly. She left the table to offer them some drinks and snacks she
’
d prepared for them.
“
That
’
s one right lady,
”
Zita overheard one of the soundmen say to another.
“
Class act,
”
the other man agreed
.
And it was true, Zita had to admit. Rachel had been the perfect subject all day long, gracious and kind.
“
Zita you are staying for dinner, aren
’
t you
?”
Rachel enquired.
“
I
’
m not exactly dressed for a smart dinner party,
”
Zita replied, looking down at her jeans.
“
Nonsense, you look lovely.
”
Carl joined in.
“
We
’
d love you to stay.
”
She looked into his sexy blue eyes and was lost. More than anything she wanted to spend the evening in his company, even though his wife would be there too.
“
Okay, if you insist,
”
she consented feebly, unable to resist him.
“
That
’
s my girl,
”
he whispered, when Rachel had gone into the kitchen, winking at her.
She felt like a fly caught in a spider
’
s web.
“
Tomorrow night?
”
he whispered.
“
Sure,
”
she whispered back, her heart soaring. The pain of watching him with Rachel was almost unbearable. Now she felt she was having her revenge.
Rachel had had to be very careful not to be seen to be having a drink while the
cameras were on her. While having her shower and dressing
,
she
’
d sneaked a large vodka and orange. She couldn
’
t have risked a gin – the smell would have been a giveaway – hence the vodka. Once the cameras were turned off she let rip however and sneaked a gin and tonic in the kitchen before dishing up the main course. Once or twice she saw Carl frowning at her but she ignored him. God damn it! She
’
d had a rough day, she deserved it. And she
’
d done it mainly to promote Carl
’
s career. You
’
d think he
’
d have been grateful
.
After they
’
d all left, she
’
d kicked off her shoes and
poured herself a cognac.
Then she sank down on the couch with a sigh.
“
Wow! What an exciting but utterly exhaustin
g day.
”
“
Don
’
t you think you should go to bed?
”
Carl asked.
“
Don
’
t you think I deserve a drink? I have to relax,
”
she said
,
rubbing her feet which were aching.
“
I think Zita was very pleased with the result though,
”
she observed happily.
“
She
’
s certainly good at her job,
”
he remarked, deciding to pour himself a whiskey. If you can
’
t beat
’
em, join
’
e
m, he thought to himself. His wife was certainly knocking back the booze big-time. He
’
d have to do something about it.
“
Do you know that
’
s the first night you
’
ve had dinner here this week.
”
Rachel looked at him, trying not to sound as if she was criticising.
“
Oh Rach, give over,
”
he sighed.
“
I
’
ve had a tough day
too. And by the way, I won
’
t be home for dinner tomorrow
night either. I have a previous engagement.
”
She shook her head helplessly. This was obviously the way their life was going to be in the future.
He then opened his laptop and she flicked through a magazine, neither of them speaking. When she
’
d drained her glass
,
she poured herself another one, ignoring her husband
’
s disapproving look.
46
Ronan was busy stacking shelves in the shop on Friday afternoon when his mobile rang.
“
Hi, Ronan, it
’
s Doris here, Fiona
’
s mother.
”
He tensed himself
,
waiting for the news. He
’
d spoken to Fiona yesterday and she hadn
’
t been feeling too good. He
’
d tried ringing her that morning but it had gone to voicemail and she hadn
’
t rung back
,
which was most unusual.