Page 6 of The Girl with the Irish Secret

‘Great,’ Vi said, now completely overwhelmed. She was having a drink with one of the biggest stars of both film and TV. Was this really happening?

‘See you then.’ Jack walked to the door and held it open for her. ‘Looking forward to our chat,’ he said as she stepped out.

‘Me too.’ She breathed in his expensive aftershave as he walked past her towards a waiting car that took off down the street as soon as Jack had got in.

Vi stood there, staring at the taillights, thinking that this was the most exciting day of her life.

‘Feeling a little starstruck?’ a voice said beside her.

Startled, Vi whipped around to discover Leo the make-up artist standing behind her. She laughed. ‘Yeah, a little. But who wouldn’t be? He’s so…’

‘Charismatic?’ he asked, smiling, his blue eyes amused as he looked at her.

‘Something like that,’ Vi confessed.

‘And a little more,’ Leo suggested. ‘But be careful. He’s a great slayer of women and has left a trail of broken hearts behind him.’

‘I know. I’ve seen what’s posted about him online,’ Vi said. ‘Don’t worry, I might be starstruck but my heart won’t break.’

‘I bet,’ Leo said. ‘But now I’d better get to the pub with the others.’ He paused, looking a little shy. ‘You did well in there. You made sure they knew where you stood. Not easy under the circumstances.’

‘Gosh,’ Vi said. ‘I thought I’d blown it. But I’m such a blabbermouth and can’t help saying exactly what I think. No filter, that’s me.’

‘Well, it was a good thing. Got you the part and all. Hey,’ he continued, ‘would you think it forward of me if I asked for your phone number? I thought it might be nice to meet up when I’m in Ireland during the holidays.’

‘Why are you going to Ireland for Christmas?’ Vi asked. Then she remembered what he had said earlier. ‘Oh yes, you have family there, right?’

‘Yes, I do. My last name is Shanaghan, by the way. Can’t get more Irish than that. So can we get together when I’m there?’

‘That would be great,’ Vi said. She picked up her phone again. ‘Give me your number and then I’ll send you a text and then you can put it into WhatsApp.’

‘Perfect,’ he said and read out his number. ‘I’ll be in touch when I get to Ireland.’

‘Where will you be?’ Vi asked as she put away her phone.

‘Bantry,’ he replied. ‘Only a few hours’ drive from Dingle. Never been there, though, so I’ll need a guide.’

‘That’ll be fun. I know all the great places,’ Vi said, feeling as if she knew him already. He seemed such a nice, easy-going man and she was sure he’d be a great ally during filming. ‘I hope you like storms and rain. That’s what it’s like in late December in Kerry.’

‘I’ve never been there at Christmastime,’ Leo said. ‘How do you cope with the bad weather?’

‘Oh, I love it,’ Vi laughed. ‘We were always told that there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.’

‘Sounds like the kind of thing a father might say,’ Leo remarked.

‘I didn’t really have a father,’ Vi said. ‘So I wouldn’t know.’

‘Oh, I’m sorry,’ Leo said.

‘He died when I was only two, but I had my mother and grandmother,’ Vi said. ‘They brought us up during various stages in our lives.’

‘Us?’ Leo asked. Then he laughed. ‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to pry.’

‘I don’t mind,’ Vi said, smiling. ‘I don’t think having two sisters is a personal detail I need to hide.’

‘Great. Maybe I’ll meet them during filming? But now I’d better catch up with the others. See you in Kerry soon.’

Vi smiled and said goodbye, happy to have met someone who could be a friend. Especially during the making of a movie, which could be a very long process. Playing the main character and trying to get close to a woman who had been dead for a long time would be a challenge. She’d better get hold of the old movies from the 1940s and 50s and study Kathleen O’Sullivan’s voice, movements and facial expressions. And then she had to find out as much about this woman as possible: her childhood and youth, her love life and relationships. It seemed like a huge task but she was determined to do it. One of her teachers at drama school had told her to use her body as a tool when playing a character. ‘Body language is a great way to relay emotions and feelings,’ he had said. In this case, it would come in very handy and she was committed to following that advice. By the time filming started, Vi would trulybeKathleen, just as Liz the producer had suggested.