Delicious (A Rumour Mill Novel) (18 page)

           
“When
are you going to tell that slag you slept with me?!” Gemma snapped. She stood
close to Guy.

           
“I
never slept with you Gemma! Stop your lies!” Guy spat. His voice short and its
tone filled with bitter heat.

           
“Last
night meant something to me. Look at the pictures.” Gemma said pushing her
iPhone into his hand.

           
Guy
flicked through the pictures. Instantly Guy felt as he’d been kicked in the
stomach by an overzealous footballer. There in colour were pictures of Guy and
Gemma in his bed, in his suite. Gemma in her lacy black knickers straddled Guy.
Guy noticed his eyes were half-shut. Clearly one would think it was ecstasy.
Guy brought his palm to brow. Grace could tell Guy’s upset at what he saw.

           
“It
was one night?” Guy questioned.

           
Gemma
pulled in closer, tossing her blonde hair over her shoulders and placing her arms
around his neck.

           
“It
was a
great
night. The best!” Gemma
answered as she leaned in to kiss his neck.
 

           
Everyone’s right! Guy’s a no good footballer
and he’s seeing her!

           
“Blimey!”
Grace gasped sharp. They heard her. Guy turned to see Grace in anger standing a
few feet away from them.

Guy tried to jump
back like a child touching fire. Grace felt the anger rise from the bottom of
her feet, travelling up her legs, into the pit of her stomach and heart.

“Grace, it’s not
what you think.” Guy said nervously. He tried reaching out to Grace but Gemma dug
her nails into Guy.

“It is what it is,
Guy!
You can sod off!
” Grace
screamed.

Graces’ rage
exploded. The words, like shrapnel, hit Guy hard. Grace wanted to pummel him and
make Guy feel her pain. Instinct told her not to. Instead Grace pivoted on her
heels and bolted. Gemma grabbed Guy’s arm, preventing him from chasing Grace.
Her nails pierced his wrist. Guy slapped her hand away.

“You sneaky
bitch!” Guy snapped.

“Let her go! We’re
meant to be.” Gemma implored.

“
No! We never had anything! Tomorrow I’m
contacting my solicitor. I’m getting a court order against you. You’re mentally
fucked in the head and those pictures are nothing but lies! I’ll prove you
wrong!
” Guy roared.

Guy left Gemma in
the hallway to wonder what’ll happen next. Guy ran to the ballroom. Strobe
lights, lasers, darkness and the crowd made it difficult to find Grace.
  

Friends
interrupted Guy’s search. They tried plying drinks to him and engaging him in
conversation, but Guy’s focus to find Grace and finding her fast. His heart
pounded like a steel worker hammering molten metal. Guy’s mouth went dry and
his stomach ached in worry.
I’m not losing
the woman I love!

After ten
gruelling minutes Guy finally escaped. He ran to the cottage to see if she is there.
Please God let her be there! Let her give
me a chance to explain!

Guy reached the
cottage to find its’ door ajar. Guy stepped inside. It was cold, dark and
empty. He reached for a light switch flicking it on. In the still of the empty
living area the wall clock chimed midnight.

Immediately Guy’s
eyes focused on the coffee table. On the table sat a large dressing box filled
with all the clothing Clive provided for the wedding along with two pairs of shoes.
It was as Grace magically dissipated from his life. Fraught with worry Guy drew
his hands to his temples and ran them through his thick hair.
I can’t lose her like this. I can’t lose her
due to Gemmas’ lies!

♥

By the time Guy
made it to the parking lot the sky opened up. Down tumbled icy rain. Guy jumped
into his Range Rover. He accelerated just as he did before to look for a
wedding cake. He drove like a mad man to Ivy-upon-Wye. The torrential downpour
wasn’t a hindrance.

When Guy reached
the Savoury Plum, he slammed on his brakes to bring the Range Rover to a
screeching halt. He hopped out, running to the back door. Guy impatiently rang
the doorbell several times whilst banging on the glass window of the door.

“
Grace! Grace!
” Guy repeatedly shouted.

A dog began to
bark madly. Suddenly lights went on from a few surrounding houses. A few people
opened windows to see the commotion.

“Oye! Quit yer
hollering! It’s late!” shouted a burly man.

“No!’ Guy shouted
back. “Grace...Grace!” Guy continued to scream.

“I’m calling the
police!” A Welsh woman shouted.

           
Guy
saw a light go on in the hallway. Cat pulled back the white net curtain to see
who’s pounding on their door. She saw Guy standing dishevelled. He looked like
a stray wet cat. Guy’s tie from his tuxedo hung from his collar. The first few
buttons of his shirt open. His dark hair was frizzed, curled and soaking wet.
He looked absolutely miserable. Cat opened the door halfway.

“Is Grace here?”
Guy asked out of breath. Cat shook her head no.

“She’s here. She’s
got to be here.” Guy insisted. “I’ve got to speak to her.
 
It’s urgent.
 
I need to explain.”

“Explain what exactly?”
Cat asked roughly. Cat narrowed her beady eyes on him. “Where’s Grace? And
what’s going on?” she continued.

“I thought she’d
be here by now. Everything’s gone pear- shaped.” Guy lamented in confusion.

“What did you do
to Grace? Where is she?” Cat demanded to know. Her voice escalated in temper.
Cat’s reaction startled Guy. He took few steps back. Guy heard the faint sound
of wailing police sirens.

“Oye Cat! The
missus called the police. They’ll be here in a minute!” shouted the burly man. Guy
wasn’t going to get into an argument with the police or Cat.

“Nothing, I did
nothing.” Guy exasperated. His head hung low as Guy walked to his SUV. Cat
watched him as he walked away like a man dying of a broken heart.

 
As soon as he was gone Cat closed the door
behind her and walked up the stairs to the flat. She turned off the hallway
light and entered the flat.

“There, there
petal.” Corrie soothed. Grace was sobbing on her aunts’ shoulder. They were
seated in the dark lounge.

Grace felt her
heart shatter into a million tiny pieces.
 
I’m an idiot to believe I could
fall in love in four days! I thought he was the one.
Each tear that rolled
down Grace’s cheeks brought out a residual scent of Guy’s Issy Miyake cologne. Corrie
hugged her tight.

Grace felt
foolish.
Here I am crying in front of my
aunts, the ones who warned me that this would happen! What’s wrong with me?
Never again will I be naive. Never again will I allow a man like Guy Rowling to
come into my life,
Grace silently vowed.

Cat placed a cup
of tea in front of her.

“All will be
alright.” Cat assured.

Grace nodded
weakly as she picked up the hot teacup.

Never again. Guy taught me well,
Grace
repeated in her mind.

♥

 
year
and a half later, the sun scorched the London city skyline. In Covent Garden blistering
heat from summer weather sent people looking for cool comfort in market shops. The
skies colour a hazy shade of orange. Delicious heaved with tourists, teenagers,
and local workers escaping the frying temperatures. Customers purchased iced
coffees, frozen frappes and pastries to accompany their drinks. It was too hot
for a big meal. People wanted light, quick and fresh meals to eat. Grace was
proud that Delicious was able to provide it.

           
It
was a lovely old fashion glass front bakery which Grace commercially fitted to
emulate antiqued English coffee houses.
 
Although the bakery’s location wasn’t in Covent Garden’s piazza, it was
right across from it and it was perfect.

           
Grace
pulled in thousands of pounds in profit on a good day. Delicious staff consisted
of a general manager, two assistant managers, eight floor staff members, a
pastry chef, savoury chef, catering chef and four junior chef apprentices who
needed extra credit for the London Culinary Academy.

           
Grace
emerged from the kitchen to oversee the floor and say hello to customers. She
loved listening to compliments. Since the wedding, Grace changed from a shy
butterfly to a tiger. She had her uncle to thank for that.

           
Outside
Grace greeted a couple polishing off a lemon tart. They raved on and on about
how delicious the tart tasted and they’re recommending the bakery to family and
friends. Grace thanked them and shook their hands.

Once done
speaking, Grace walked over to a vacant table with rubbish on it. On the table there
were empty mugs, a coffee stained and remnants of coffee cake crumb filled copy
of
Rumour Mill
.
Rumour Mill’s
front-page is visible and clear as day to Grace.
Grace’s eyes focused their attention onto a shirtless, bronzed Guy on a yacht
with a petite brunette wearing a tiny red polka-dot bikini. Her back turned to
the camera. They were off the coast of Saint Tropez. Guy looked as though he
was having a great time. The headline glared at Grace.

Love Boat: Has
Guy Rowling, our footie golden boy, found love with favourite British Hollywood
It girl, Amanda Priestly?

           
Grace
crumbled the paper. She tossed it on the tray. Since the night of the wedding
and initial shock wore off, Grace poured her energy into achieving her goal in
opening her business. Guy tried contacting her, but no avail. She wasn’t
interested.

           
On
three separate occasions Guy tried to see Grace at the Savoury Plum, but her
aunts thwarted him and his mission failed. Cat and Corrie took it upon
themselves to make sure Grace never heard from Guy again. All the gifts,
flowers and letters Guy sent, were returned unopened. Grace wanted nothing to
do with Guy and the twins happily helped out.

           
Grace
felt her stomach plummet as she recalled that night. She ran to the kitchen in
a right state. Trevor came rushing to her aid asking her what’s wrong. Trevor
helped her to a nearby stool. Unable to speak, feeling the effects of a full
blown panic attack, Trevor did his best to calm Grace down. He provided Grace
with water, hoping to ease her.

Finally Grace
pleaded with Trevor to drive her back to the Savoury Plum. Trevor handed his
duties to another chef. He drove Grace back to the cottage. Grace collected her
belongings and Trevor drove her back to Ivy-upon-Wye.

           
During
the drive Grace didn’t cry. She bit her lip as she watched icy rain course the
car window. Once they reached the Savoury Plum, Grace thanked Trevor softly. He
promised to ring the following morning to see if she’s okay.

           
It
was only when she closed the door to the Savoury Plum and climbed the stairs to
the flat that Grace allowed tears to flow freely. Her heart shattered and mind
confused. Grace reminisced about their time together, sensual lovemaking, and
their private intimate moments, only a couple in genuine love share. Then her
anger boiled.
Did I seriously believe a
man could fall in love with me in under four days?
The question’s to haunt
her forever.

           
The
twins found Grace sitting on the top step crying. Cat swiftly ushered Grace
inside and Corrie put the tea kettle on the hob. It was evident something
conspired between Guy and Grace. Instead of questioning their niece they
remained mum as they comforted Grace. What they all didn’t expect was Guy showing
up acting like a belligerent fool. Guy made a public spectacle of himself in
trying to speak to Grace. She told Cat to make sure that Guy couldn’t get in to
talk to her. Cat obliged and went off to put a permanent end.

           
Days,
nights, weeks and months went by. Grace believed Guy to be a typical footballer
jerk. On a daily basis Grace scoured
Rumour
Mill.
She searched for any article on their affair. Instead there were endless
pages about Tamzin and Darren.

Four months later
on the cover of
Rumour Mill
there was
a picture of Guy exiting the London Lions stadium. Guy tried to shield his face
from the cameras as he was escorted by security to his car. A blown up picture
of Gemma was placed next to Guy’s picture. Gemma looked horrible. Her face
covered with mascara coloured tear streaks. The headline blared,
Gemma
loses Guy’s baby to miscarriage. The heartbreak, the scandal, and denial!

           
Gemma
sold her story. Grief stricken, she told the tabloids during the wedding of
Darren and Tamzin, they conceived their baby. Guy denied Gemma’s claims. Guy
called her claims false, nothing but lies. Convincingly, Gemma waxed on about
her heart ache over her miscarriage and their breakup. She admitted to seeing
Rodney Taylor from the Tottenham Heat and they’re looking to marry the
following year. The article cemented Grace’s thoughts and feeling on Guy,
he fed me a load of bollocks
.
 

           
Yet
at night Guy crept into Grace’s dreams. They were dreams of sexual natures. He’d
rain kisses down on her breasts, suckle at her puckering nipples whilst driving
his hot velvet steel cock into her. Guy pounded her body taking her every which
way she wanted him to. These dreams were so vivid that Grace would awake,
crying out in orgasm and reaching for him. Once reality sunk in that Guy wasn’t
there, Grace turned to clench her pillow sobbing. Her conscious was cruel to
her, but during the day Grace refocused on her anger and her goal.

           
After
months of hard work and labour, the fit-out of the business completed. Alistair
contacted Grace. Alistair told her the renovations of the flats were nearing
complete. Grace’s parents Tooting Bec Victorian home is to be her new place of
residence and Grace couldn’t wait.

The upper half of
the home was converted into Alistair’s flat whilst the bottom half was
converted into a garden flat for Grace. She couldn’t wait to see it.

           
Finally
the day arrived for Grace to move. Bittersweet excitement filled the air. Grace
was beyond ecstatic to be leaving Ivy-upon-Wye, but felt sad that she was
leaving Cat and Corrie.

           
On
moving day the twins presented Grace with a chilli pepper red, fully loaded,
Mini Cooper S convertible. Grace tried turning down their gift. Grace knew
London congestion charges to be expensive and ludicrous, but Cat insisted Grace
needed a vehicle for when she visits. They took a firm stand knowing there was
a garage tucked in the back of the garden of the house. Grace relented.

           
Shortly
after breakfast movers arrived to pack contents of Grace’s bedroom. Other
furniture for the flat was ordered via John Lewis, Marks and Spencer’s, and
Debenhams. Grace couldn’t wait to lay her eyes on what was ordered and set up.

           
The
moment arrived to say goodbye. Cat and Corrie were crying hysterical. The
movers looked at each other as they stifled their laughter. Grace kissed them
goodbye before waving as she zipped off in her Mini down the cobble streets of
Ivy-upon-Wye.

When she crossed
the bridge by Three Trees, Grace knew it was a new dawn. She embraced it with
open arms. She looked in her rear-view mirror to see Ivy, the Savoury Plum and
non-existent life become smaller and smaller till it was no longer in view.
Grace looked forward to living in the house she should’ve grown in. She assumed
it would’ve been a different fulfilling life in comparison to the one now.

           
It
was late afternoon when Grace arrived in Tooting Bec. Alistair greeted her with
a strong bear hug whilst movers moved her belongings into her flat.

           
It’d
been years since Grace last saw Alistair. Alistair bore striking resemblance to
boy-band singer, Robbie Williams. He was a few years older than Robbie and just
as youthful looking. Alistair’s career as an abstract artist made him popular
in the trendy London art scene. He creates modern abstract paintings,
sculptures and metal artwork which appear galleries and small boutique hotels
and bars.

Over the years Alistair
kept busy. Frequently he travelled abroad with many of his boyfriends. Alistair
saw no future in settling down as he enjoyed his fancy-free life London
provided him. With travelling and nights out, Alistair couldn’t keep up with the
house. When Grace contacted him about moving to Tooting Bec, Alistair happily
welcomed the idea.

           
Thereafter
Alistair hired an architect and contractor. His current boyfriend, Philippe
took the role as interior designer. He designed and decorated two posh modern
flats. Grace’s flat was decorated with modern and vintage pieces, colours and
textures he thought a young single lady will adore.

           
Grace
was gobsmacked when she laid eyes on flat. Alistair gave her a tour. It’s more
than she envisioned. In comparison to other flats, the kitchen was huge. The
cabinets fitted in modern flat acrylic red doors with a seamless white quartz
counter. The appliances were stainless steel.
Perfect for a chef!

           
The
dining and living area connected was painted in soft grey and dark stained wood
floors. The white ceiling retained its’ original crown-moulding. Philippe chose
a plush white leather couch and a modern rectangular chandelier to hang above
the dining room table. Grace loved it and even more so in knowing it was all
hers.

The first few
months living in London was absorbed by working out business kinks of the newly
opened and celebrated, Delicious. During that time Alistair was abroad in
Thailand. On his return Alistair brought a bottle of wine to Grace’s flat. He
ordered a Chinese takeaway for two. As they sat and ate Alistair made it a
point of telling Grace she needed to go out and socialise. Grace needed to
explore the city and make friends.
 
‘If not, you’ll turn into a spinster.
’
Alistair warned.
‘You have a point.’
Grace
agreed.

 
 
From
that point forward Grace accompanied Alistair to parties, events and social gatherings
that were once off limits. Instantly Grace made friends and they took to her.
Soon enough she was receiving her own invites, trips to the cinema and dinner
parties in her flat or Sunday brunches out at a new restaurant. A few men were
keen on Grace, but being burned by Guy set her back and she wasn’t ready to
date.

Even Trevor kept
in contact with Grace. The day after the wedding Trevor promised to check on
Grace frequently. Trevor would send the occasional email or call Grace. Over a
year and a half Trevor continued to maintain contact. He was present at the
opening of Delicious. Trevor wasn’t persistent in pursuing Grace for a sexual
relationship. Grace felt it to be a casual supportive friendship between them.

           
As
busy as she was and life fulfilled there is a small flicker of flame that still
burned for Guy. Recent
Rumour Mill
news and media was filled with Guy on the front cover. He was dubbed the U.K.
golden-boy due to the recent English Premier win. Never a day went by were
there wasn’t a moment that Guy wasn’t on the cover.

           
The
crumbled
Rumour Mill
paper beckoned
Grace to open and read the article. Her curiosity pleaded with her to take a
quick look to see if he was seeing Amanda. Instead Grace shook her head.
It’s silly!
Grace brought the tray
inside. She dumped the contents into the garbage without a wasted thought on
Guy.

♥

Exhausted and jetlagged from his Cyprus
flight, Guy arrived at his Canary Wharf penthouse flat looking to rest. It’d
been a long English Premier season and his hard work paid off. Guy’s goal kick
won the London Lions the cup against the Tottenham Heat.
 
With the media hounding him and paparazzi
following his every move, Guy had to get away. He couldn’t wait to escape
London.