‘I’m sure if you love Art enough, he can help you through all that. It’s yourfeelingsfor him that you must get straight in your mind.’
‘Love conquers all, you mean?’
‘Exactly.’
‘Well, that’s the bottom line, I suppose. I feel a bit like Pooh Bear stuck in Rabbit’s hole; I’m so far in that I’m wondering how on earth I can get out. God, it’s times like this when I really wish my grandfather was still alive. He’d be bound to have some sane, wise words to throw on the subject.’
‘You really were close, weren’t you?’
‘Absolutely. I wish you could have met him, Jo. You’d have loved him and he’d have loved you. He adored feisty women.’
‘Was your grandmother feisty?’ Joanna probed.
‘I’m not really sure. I do know she came from a wealthy English background. The White family were awfully grand – she was a “lady”. Of course she lost her title when she married my grandfather. Quite a catch for an actor, especially one with supposed Irish origins.’
Joanna’s heart skipped a beat.
Talk to the White Knight’s Lady. . .
‘Grace’s maiden name was White?’
‘Yes. She was really pretty . . . petite and dainty.’
‘Like you.’
‘Maybe. Perhaps that’s why James was so fond of me. Talking of dead wives, there’s something else I wanted to tell you. I’ve been asked to play one.’
‘Sorry?’ Joanna forced herself to concentrate on what Zoe was saying.
‘Paramount are doing a major, multimillion pound remake ofBlithe Spirit. They want me for Elvira.’
‘Blimey, Zoe, are we talking Hollywood here?’
‘We sure are, and the part’s mine if I want it. They saw a rough-cut ofTess, called me in for a quick read-through, then came through to my agent yesterday with an offer that borders on the obscene.’
‘Zoe, that’s fantastic! Well done, you! You totally deserve it.’
‘Come on, Jo.’ Zoe rolled her eyes. ‘They probably think their American audiences will flock to see it, being the girlfriend of an English prince. I don’t wish to be cynical, but I hardly believe the offer would have come through if my face hadn’t been plastered all over the US papers with Art next to me.’
‘Zoe, don’t belittle yourself,’ Joanna urged her. ‘You’re an extremely talented actress. Hollywood would have come calling eventually, with or without Arthur.’
‘Yes. But I can’t do it, can I?’
‘Why not?’
‘Jo, get real. If I marry Art, the most I’m going to be doing is chomping my way through canapés and shaking endless hands at charity functions,ifthey can’t get one of my higher profile prospective in-laws to do it.’
‘Times are changing, Zoe, and you could be just what the royal family needs to bring them kicking and screaming into the new millennium. Women have careers these days. End of story.’
‘Perhaps, but not careers where they may have to take their clothes off, or kiss their leading man.’
‘I don’t recall any nudity inBlithe Spirit,’ Joanna chuckled.
‘There isn’t, but you get my drift. No,’ sighed Zoe. ‘If I go ahead and marry him, I’d have to kiss my career goodbye. I mean, look at Grace Kelly.’
‘That was in the 1950s, Zoe! Have you discussed it with Art?’
‘Er, no, not yet.’
