The Return of Mrs. Jones (18 page)

‘If the actors are happy, then I’m happy,’ Ayesha said. ‘OK, Mr McKenzie. Jess can help with your dog.’

He grimaced. ‘We were on first-name terms when we worked on
A Forever Kind of Love
, a couple of years back. Or would you prefer me to call you Ms Milan now?’

Ayesha winced. ‘This film isn’t the same as that one.’

‘You mean,
I’m
not the same,’ he said softly. ‘I’m sorry. I shouldn’t take my personal life out on my colleagues. You’re right—I haven’t been my normal self on set for a while now, and that isn’t fair to the rest of the crew. Let me know if I’ve upset anyone here, and I’ll have a quiet word with them and apologise tomorrow.’

Ayesha nodded. ‘Thank you, Luke. That makes things a bit easier.’

‘And I’ll try not to be such an idiot in future.’

That earned him a lick on his hand from Baloo, and Jess couldn’t help smiling.

Maybe she wasn’t doing the wrong thing, agreeing to help.

Maybe this was going to be just fine.

And maybe, she thought, Baloo was going to do them both a favour. Help them both move on from a difficult situation in the past.

‘Half past eight,’ he said to Jess.

She nodded. ‘Bring her water bowl, food bowl and whatever she eats during the day, a bed and some toys.’

‘Toys?’

‘Baloo, you need to take him shopping,’ Jess told the dog. ‘Something to chew is top priority.’

‘Not squeaky,’ Ayesha called over, ‘or you’ll drive me potty.’

Jess laughed. ‘There you go, Luke. Your mission, should you choose to accept it...’

He laughed back. ‘That’s about right. OK. Doggy toy shop it is, then. Come on, Baloo.’

Copyright © 2014 by Pamela Brooks

ISBN-13: 9781460328996

THE RETURN OF MRS. JONES

Copyright © 2014 by Jessica Gilmore

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