Delicious (A Rumour Mill Novel) (2 page)

           
In the beginning and during holidays
Alistair frequently visited Grace and the twins. He wanted to ensure that he
didn’t miss any moment of his niece growing up. But by the time Grace became a
teen, dynamics changed. Alistair visits grew infrequent, although he’d write
and call often. Alistair was a shoulder to lean on when Grace felt her aunts’
were being unreasonable.

           
Years passed and as Grace grew
older, taller and beautiful, the twins grew into two overprotective hens. They
didn’t view their Grace as a niece but as a daughter. It made life difficult
for Grace. Although the twins dated men here or there they never brought a man
home. They felt it was out of respect for Grace and for each other. They
thought it unladylike to do so. Grace felt her aunts had prudish, antiquated views
on love, romance and sex. Grace dreamt of having a boyfriend, falling in love
and getting married. Yet her aunts told her to focus on a career as a pastry
chef with the hope of Grace running the Savoury Plum.

           
Since she was a baby Grace always
had a wooden spoon in her hand. Whether it was making mud pies in the garden
with her father or learning how to bake the most simplest of chocolate fairy
cakes with her aunts, Grace had the love and genetics of a pastry chef. She
often wondered if her parents would’ve been proud. Every night Grace looked longingly
at the silver picture frame on the nightstand. Encased in the frame was black
and white wedding picture of her parents.

           
When Grace graduated Upper school she
feared she’d be leaving home too soon. Instead of continuing her education at
London Culinary Academy Grace thought it best to work in the kitchen of the Savoury
Plum. In recent years Grace surpassed her pastry skills. On several occasions,
various food critics visited the Savoury Plum and gave it stellar reviews.

A well-known
Guardian
food-critic wrote glowing review regarding their strawberry cheesecake made
from organic fresh cow’s milk and hand-plucked strawberries. It drew tourists from
miles and miles away to sample it. The cheesecake was a popular summer item and
frequently sold out on the menu.

           
As compliments increased they began
to bother Grace. At twenty-five years old Grace felt as though she’d never
leave the Savoury Plum. Sadly, Grace felt destined to be a spinster. This
wasn’t the destiny she dreamt of and she wasn’t sure if it was what her parents
wanted for her.

           
The feeling spun like a mixing bowl
paddle. It started off slowly and increased in speed as time went by. A myriad
of ideas in full spin tempting Grace into going off on her own and starting life
without the twins. Grace developed a business plan and got her finances in
order. This was to be her last winter in Ivy-upon-Wye. She was moving to London
to open up her own bakery-cafe called Delicious. Little did her aunts know
about her plan.

           
“Again with ideas of your own place?
Your home is here.” Corrie commented dryly. She turned off the lights in the
window.

           
Corrie pulled bread baskets from the
window display and looked at Grace fiddling with some art work that hung
crookedly on a nearby wall.

           
“I’ll do it. You can’t keep me in
Ivy forever.” Grace sighed.

           
“I know Grace. We always hope you’ll
inherit our business and stay with us. What’s out there for you?” Cat asked.

           
“An adventurous life. All my life,
I’ve lived in this village. The farthest I’ve ventured is to Hereford or the odd
chance of a shopping spree in Cardiff. I always go to the same pub with Olivia
and see the same people. I want to go to London and experience life like my
mother done.” Grace replied sternly.

           
The twins folded their arms under
their bosoms. Cat and Corrie remind Grace of fairy godmothers in Disney movies
such as
Sleeping Beauty
. They had
wispy silver hair, round faces and plump bodies. The twins wore their daily
uniform, black trousers and white cotton t-shirts with purple lettering of the
business.

           
Suddenly a loud bang on the glass
panes of the door made the ladies jump in fright. Corrie, Cat and Grace turned
to see a shadowy figure peering through the panes.

           
“Bloody hell! Who’s there?” shouted
Cat.
 

Cat armed herself with a broom and marched over to the door.

           
“Who is it Cat?” asked Corrie.

           
Cat looked out to see the face of a
handsome young man staring back at her.

           
“Please...Please let me in!” a young
man begged. He looked no more than in his late twenties. Cat believed it was a
patron from the pub across the road that is looking for trouble.

           
“We’re closed. If you need a phone,
you can go back to the pub across the road.” Cat snapped loudly.

           
“I don’t need a phone. I need a
bloody wedding cake. I was told you’re the best there is.” he replied strongly.

           
Grace walked up behind Cat. Grace saw
the frustration on the man’s face. She pulled on Cat’s arm.

           
“Let him in auntie. Let’s hear him
out.” Grace said.

           
Reluctantly Cat opened the door. As
the young man took a step in Grace thought for a split second God must have
heard her prayers.

           
Phwoar!
He’s a male model who must have fallen from the sky!
Grace thought happily.

           
Guy thanked them profusely as he
enter the Savoury Plum exhausted from his search. He stood before them trying
to think of something to say because once he saw Grace he was lost for words. Guy
was stunned by the gorgeous young woman standing in between two elderly women looking
like Staffordshire terriers on the attack.

           
Guy noticed how pretty the colour of
Grace’s eyes. A cool aquamarine reminding Guy of the waters of Turks and Caico.
Her skin looked naturally sun-kissed which was unusual for English rose girls.
Most of them had airbrush tans. He loved the look of her hair. It was as if she
had woken up from a night of in between the sheets. Guy wouldn’t have mind
twirling his fingers in Grace’s tousled tendrils of caramel hair.

           
Guy noticed Grace’s small spray of
freckles on the bridge of her nose. She had a pretty white smile. She wasn’t a
skinny girl. An hourglass shape Guy loved.
Perfect
curves! Something to wrap my hands around as we make love,
he thought.

           
Guy shook his head. He couldn’t
believe he was standing there and thinking about having hot illicit sex with
this girl. He barely knew Grace and he needed to get his mind back on track.
No wonder Darren got into trouble. If Libby’s
this gorgeous, I would’ve shagged her too!

           
Grace spoke, breaking the spell for
Guy.

           
“What can we do for you, sir?” Grace
asked pointedly.

           
“I need a wedding cake for the
Dowling-Smythe wedding.” Guy answered hurriedly.

           
The
aunts’ mouths dropped open and Grace was rendered speechless.

♥

ou need a cake for the wedding?” Grace
questioned. Grace didn’t believe Guy thinking he was joking.

“You must be
pulling our leg and wasting our time. The whole world knows Tamzin hired Libby
Blackwell for her wedding cake. It’s all over the tabloids especially Rumour
Mill. And who are you sir?”

           
Grace
didn’t hide her annoyance. The jolt from the bang on the glass and her prior
conversation with her aunts’ placed her in a bad mood. Guy swiped his hand over
his brows.
This is my last resort.

           
Guy
driven all the way to nearest small city of Hereford and discovered all the
bakers were closed. The nearest big city was Cardiff and he didn’t want to
drive all the way there only to make the same discovery. A stranger on the
street recognised Guy and asked if he could take a picture with him. Guy
obliged on the condition of a favour. The favour sent him straight to the
doorstep of the Savoury Plum.

           
“I
apologise. I should’ve introduced myself. My name is Guy Rowling, striker for
the London Lions football team. I play alongside Darren Dowling and I’m his
best man in his wedding.” Guy replied.

           
“There’s
a problem with the Blackwell cake. It didn’t turn out as promised. Here’s an
envelope with a blank cheque from Tamzin Smythe. She’ll pay any price for the
cake and double than the Blackwell cake, as long as you can follow the
instructions or provide something similar.” Guy added. He held out the envelope
as proof. Her aunts snickered.

Earlier on their
tea break Cat read the two page article in
Rumour
Mill
regarding Tamzin’s cake. It cost
£
50,000
and it was a massive six tiered layer cake in edible gold leaf fondant. Each
layer decorated with handcrafted grape leaves, flowers, nymphs and faeries. On
the top there was a cake topper of Greek god and goddess resembling the couple.

           
“Tell
us the truth. What are you playing at? We’re closed for the evening and tired!”
Corrie snapped.

           
After
the Savoury Plum closed for the evening the ladies retired upstairs to have a
hot shower and tea. The twins settled down in front of the telly to watch
EastEnders
faithfully. Grace would
shower, have tea and sometimes watch telly, but as of late, she’d retreat to
her bedroom to email solicitors and accountants. Sometimes Grace would go out
with Olivia, a young employee of the Plum.

           
Grace
saw Guy was anxious. He seemed to be telling the truth. Her resolved slowly
softened as Guy shifted his feet. Grace felt there was more to the story than
he was letting on and with her aunts on the assault it didn’t help. Grace was
willing to listen to Guy especially someone as handsome as him.

           
Grace
noticed his dark jet black hair which was thick and windswept. Grace wondered
what it’d be like to run her fingers through his hair. She loved his deep cocoa
eyes which brightened against his tanned skin. Her imagination went wild with
how Guy looked underneath the fitted shirt.
 
Grace hoped he was muscular for a footballer. Grace
fantasised about Guy pressing his body against hers, pulling at her hair and
devouring her succulent lips. It made her feel weak in the knees and she let
out a small gasp of excitement. She prayed no one noticed.

           
“Aunties’,
why don’t you go upstairs? I’ll deal with him.” Grace said confidently.

           
“I’m
not leaving you alone with him.” Cat said narrowing her steely grey eyes on
Guy.

Cat wasn’t leaving
Grace alone with this sexy stud-muffin of a football player. Cat couldn’t
remember when men during her youth looked this handsome.
If they did look this hot on the pitch, I’d watch football faithfully,
she
thought in stony silence.

           
“I’ll
be fine. It’s obvious he isn’t lying. He needs a wedding cake. Let me discuss
this with him. I won’t be long. I promise.” Grace insisted.
 

Grace pleaded with
her eyes for her aunts’ to let her be. They stepped away and walked off to the
door that led up to the flat. The aunts turned around one final time and waved Grace
off. They closed the door, but left it slightly ajar to eavesdrop as they
perched on the stairs.

           
Once
Grace believed they were gone she turned her full attention to Guy. She went
around the counter.

           
“Would
you like a drink?” Grace offered. Guy nodded. She pulled elderflower presses
out from an under the counter fridge. Grace twisted the bottle caps off setting
one bottle down in front of Guy. He was standing at the counter watching her. He
hadn’t stopped for a drink since he left Worthington Hall.

           
“Thanks!”
Guy replied after taking a long swig from the cool green bottle.

           
“Please
tell me why you’re here.” Grace said throwing out the bottle caps in a
wastebasket behind her.

Guy noticed as Grace
turned there was small heart shaped birthmark on her neck. He wanted to reach
out and touch it, but was startled when he realised Grace was staring directly
at him.

           
“Please,
don’t tell the press what I am about to tell you.” Guy said. “I’m sure it’ll be
leaked at some point, but I rather have it later than now.”

           
Grace
nodded. Guy took the nod as her acceptance. Grace didn’t like talking to the
media. It was her aunts’ job.

           
“Long
story short Darren shagged the baker. It seems they were having an affair all
throughout the engagement. Libby was under the premise that Darren was leaving
Tamzin. When Libby realised it wasn’t going to happen Darren broke it off with
her. In anger Libby sent a cake. It’s in the shape of a massive prick with
words Darren You’re A Wanker in red letters. Tamzin blew up. Tamzin sent me out
to source a wedding cake. She doesn’t trust Darren in finding another cake. Besides
Tamzin has her mind on other things.” Guy confessed.

           
Guy
felt relieved by the confession.
It’s
good to get it out in the open and admitting it to a natural beauty like Grace is
even better. This wedding is driving me up the wall.
All I want is to get away from them.

           
Guy
was grateful for that as a family they never truly got together for the
holidays and Sunday roast dinners. Their family is unconventional and dreary.
They didn’t have relationships like a normal family. Tamzin and the public
believed Darren and Guy were best mates. Guy and Darren preferred to keep it
that way for the sake of members in their family.

           
Grace
opened her eyes in amusement.
A cake in
the shape of a penis! How vile and vulgar!
How embarrassing for the bride and how come Tamzin didn’t cancel the
wedding?
Guy could tell a million pound question was lingering in on the
tip of her tongue.

           
“They’d
never leave each other. As a couple they’re worth millions of pounds together.
Tamzin turns a blind eye to Darren’s cheating ways just as long as she is kept
minted in the finest of clothes, cars and trips. People love and adore them.
They’re this generations Beckham.”

           
Grace
understood the truth in it. Darren and Tamzin were always on the cover of
Rumour Mill
. All year the news was
filled with everything and anything about the wedding. There was a special on
Rumour Mill
channel called
Tamzin to the Altar
. It was even
mentioned that the couple sold their wedding pictures to
Rumour Mill
for more than what Hollywood’s biggest movie stars were
paid for.
Rumour Mill
magazine and
media is the U.K.’s and Europe number one best selling tabloid and what a
better way to get more attention.

           
“Now
she needs a cake. Can I please see the instructions?” Grace asked.

           
Guy
slid the envelope to Grace. As she opened the envelop Guy noticed the length of
Grace’s fingers. They were long and her nails were cut short and shaped round.
They didn’t have shellac on them or the length of talons painted in an array of
colours. It was a look coveted by the W.A.G’s.

           
Grace
carefully read through the instructions and looked over the sketch. There were
similarities to the Blackwell cake, but it was virtually impossible to make
given the time frame and space.
There’s
no way I can pull this off.

           
“Where
does she expect me to pull this from? A magician’s hat? She’s asking for things
which are out of season like coconut filling. Coconut is out of season. Four
days is not enough time. We already lost today and besides I don’t have the
kitchen space or help.” Grace replied as she bit her lip in thought.

           
Guy
wanted to lean over and grab her. He wanted to pull her over the counter to
suck, bite and kiss her scarlet lips. Guy shook his head. He tried to focus at
the problem looming before him.
She’s my
only option. I’m not leaving the Savoury Plum unless I have a cake and to be
more precise, Grace.

           
“Look,
can you please put something, anything together?! It doesn’t need to be exact.
I can take you anywhere you need to go to get supplies. The wedding is on
Saturday and she needs it desperately.” Guy pleaded.

           
“Today’s
Tuesday night and I can pull something together. But the problem is kitchen
space and staff. I’m truly sorry. I can’t help you.” Grace was sincere in her
response.

As much as Grace
wanted to do this so she’d get a foot in the door to her it was impossible. She
didn’t have the capability of creating such a cake in a small space in a short
amount of time.

           
Guy
looked at her with his big cocoa eyes. He was putting the charm to convince
Grace. He saw her pull back and she felt a twinge of remorse. A light bulb went
off in his head.

           
“What
if you stayed at Worthington Hall? I can get you a room and you can work
directly with chef Trevor Hare’s staff. I’m sure he’d be willing to help. Trevor
knows Tamzin’s temper. He doesn’t have the staff to create such an intricate
cake while he is preparing a million of other dishes, but I’m sure he’d be
willing to loan one or two junior chefs. He’s a bit miffed Tamzin didn’t hire
his pastry chef in the first place and that chef is in Paris attending a
conference.” Guy said. Guy believed he was a genius for offering a considerable
solution.

           
Grace
thought hard.
It’s an opportunity to do
something for myself and the future of the business.
She’d hob-knob with
chef Hare and Chef Hare can give her advice on opening her own cafe.
He’s very famous after all. Trevor started
from humble beginnings.
 
From busboy to his own restaurant the Rabbit
& Hare and his telly show
, Grace believed he’d understand her.

The solution Guy
came to was brilliant and Grace liked the idea very much. It also gave her the
chance to get to know Guy. The more they talked about the wedding cake and the
solutions, it made Grace want to spend more time with Guy.
God only knows there aren’t many men in Ivy that are as good-looking
and young!
Even if it amounts to
nothing, just to be away from Cat and Corrie is incentive enough.
Her mind
persisted.

“I’ll do it.”
Grace said. Guy became visibly excited. “On two conditions though, I want the
cheque written out for
£
65,000 to myself and I want media
recognition for the cake.” Grace added.

She wanted to say “and
you.” But felt it cheeky to do so.

“And to whom I
make this cheque out to?” Guy asked. He realised that not once he asked for her
name.

“Grace Ann
Knowles.” smiling she replied.

Guy scribbled her
name and the amount requested on the cheque. Tamzin already signed the cheque.
He handed it to Grace and looked at her as though he were the cat that got the
cream. Although she’d be working Guy couldn’t wait to get her back to the hall
to get to know her better.

“I’ve got to get a
few of my belongings together. You can meet me at the Bird in Hand pub. It’s
across the road. Is it fine by you?” Grace asked.

“It’s more than
fine. I’ll see you in a bit then.” he replied.

Grace walked
around the counter to let Guy out the door. Grace opened the door holding it as
Guy walked out. But before Guy stepped out he turned his body to her and kissed
her on the cheek. Grace turned a rosy pink blush from the impromptu kiss.

“A million thanks,
Grace. I’ll see you soon.” Guy said.