Famously Yours - Sequel to A Famous Affair

Famously Yours chapter 15

Working in the library, I've had a busy Monday morning so far: chasing up new clients, replying to some emails, and organising my already bulging diary. I'm preparing for a small trade show in Bristol on Wednesday. The lovely Katie will be meeting me there.

However, in true Jessica Neel fashion, I'm far more preoccupied with thoughts of Lydia's exciting wedding dress fitting on Thursday and what the hell to buy Jonny for a birthday present.

I mean seriously, what on earth do you buy the man who practically has everything? His birthday is only a few weeks away and I'm still no nearer to finding him something. I've been trawling online shops and Googling gift ideas, to no avail. I'm, officially, still without that bloody fabulous gift. I'm definitely going to be picking Lydia's brain on Thursday; her mind is abundant with great ideas. Now I'm thinking about Lydia, I really do need to organise something for her hen night, but again, I'm all out of ideas. However, I do have a little something up my sleeve for her actual wedding day, something that she will absolutely love, but I'm going to need Jonny if I'm ever going to pull it off. My very exciting idea even has my own tummy doing crazy little back flips, but they're just as quickly interrupted by a gentle tap on the door.

"Jessica, it's only me. You have a letter here that's just arrived by recorded delivery, along with some other mail." Mary's homely face peeps around the library door.

I greet her with a genuine smile, beckoning her into the room. "Come on in, Mary," I say, making my way around my desk and spotting the large brown envelope being held in her hands.

She hands the bundle of post to me, looking at me fondly with her bright green eyes. "How are you this morning? Did you all enjoy your weekend?" she asks in a carefree way, completely unaware of the weekend's awful events.

A feeling of unease comes over me, it always happens when I think of bloody Griffin Denley. "It wasn't the best, Mary," I warily answer, giving our caring housekeeper a sidelong glance, while keeping my head still.

"Oh? What happened?" she asks with worry weaving through her hurried question.

I feel my face screwing up with disdain, readying myself to explain. "Griffin Denley happened, that's what." I almost hiss out my reply.

Mary holds her dismayed hand to her chest, with her mouth dropping open. "Oh, dear! What has he done now?"

When Jonny was in New York, I'd told Mary everything. I told her all about what happened on the night that Jonny fired Erin; how vulgar Griffin had been towards me, and what he had said and done. She knows all about the hurt that Denley had caused us, all those months before.

I step nearer, assuring her with a thoughtful rub to her arm. "Denley's behaviour reached an all time low the other night. He was goading Jonny and acted inappropriately with Lissy. Please don't worry though. It's all okay. Griffin Denley has been dealt with, Mary."

Her eyes narrow, squinting with suspicion. "Are you sure? Is Lissy okay?"

"Everything is fine. Like I said, don't you worry about a thing," I reply with a confident smile, knowing just how sensitive Mary can be.

With an uncertain nod, she frowns. "If you say so, Jessica." She glances across at my messy desk, then back at me. "I can see you're really busy, I'll leave you to it then." She weakly smiles, turning to walk away; what I've just told her, is now obviously playing on her perturbed mind.

I call out to her, knowing she's doing exactly what I told her not to do, worrying. "Mary?"

She slowly turns, with brows raised above her preoccupied green eyes. "Yes?"

I sympathetically tilt my head, looking across at her as she stands near the door. "I can see you're still worrying, Mary . . . please don't. The girls are okay. Jonny and I are okay. We are all okay," I sensitively state.