Delicious (A Rumour Mill Novel) (23 page)

♥

Alistair, Sharon and Philippe sat in the
lounge drinking glasses of chardonnay whilst Grace called Cat from her bedroom.
Dutifully Grace apologised for not calling sooner. Grace explained about the
mob damage to the business, but didn’t tell them that it was Guy’s presence
that brought it on. Cat wasn’t pleased to hear the news and Corrie was
disappointed. They told Grace that they’re willing to come and help her with
repairs. Grace declined. Grace ended the call with a promise to visit them
after the repairs have been made.

           
As
Alistair poured a round of Jacob’s Creek chardonnay, Grace returned to the
lounge. Sharon handed Grace a wineglass. Grace sat next to Shannon.

           
“Now
you’ve returned, please tell us all on how you know Guy Rowling.” Philippe
implored.

           
The
trio waited in baited breath to hear the story of how Guy and Grace met. Grace
smiled half-heartedly. She drank a bit of wine to gain Dutch courage.

Slowly Grace told them
her tale of the wedding. Grace said how Guy came to the Savoury Plum looking for
a wedding cake. Grace explained how Guy rented a cottage on the grounds of the
hall and visited her whilst she baked. She even told them about the picnic Guy
planned and time spent together, but Grace left all intimate details out. Then
she told them how Guy betrayed her with Gemma. Even as Grace spoke, she felt
her tears creeping to the corners of her eyes. She held steadfast by refusing
to let them roll down her cheeks.

In awe Alistair,
Philippe and Shannon sat glued in their seats. The group was even more
surprised when Grace explained Guy’s apologies, gifts and desire to rekindle
their ‘relationship’. By the way she spoke, Alistair saw Grace as a woman in
love with Guy Rowling, but wasn’t sure if she trusted him.

“Guy disappointed
me.” Grace admitted with a sigh.

“Guy disappointed
you? I believe the only person you’re disappointing is yourself.” Alistair said
pointedly.

“Why do you say
that?” Grace asked.

“Grace you
believed Gemma over Guy. Do you know how often glamour girls lie to get the man
that they want? It could be a strong, if not fact, Gemma lied about the
relationship. Pictures can be photo shopped and manipulated. Rumours can be
spread through gossip mongers. As Guy’s popularity increases so will the
scandals.” Alistair answered as he placed his wineglass down.

“It’s possible
Guy’s telling you the truth.” Philippe added. “Guy loves you. He sent you
flowers, letters and gifts to win your affection. Guy apologised profusely and
he wants you back. You should’ve given him a chance.”

“Blimey, Guy didn’t
keep his eyes off of you!” cried Sharon.

“I can’t believe
you believed coked-up conniving glamour model Gemma over him.” Alistair said.
“And if you read
Rumour Mill
its’
quite obvious she’s moved on.
 
Guy is
setting his sight on you.”

For a half an hour
Grace listened intently to their theories.
One
thing’s certain they all believe Guy loves me.
The thought gave Grace
confidence.

“I do hope he
calls you.” Alistair chimed. “I’m fairly certain he will. Tomorrow let’s go to
Harvey Nichols and pick out a new dress for dinner.”

“I’m perfectly
capable of choosing a dress from my own wardrobe.” Grace answered tiredly as
she collected wineglasses off of her coffee table. She was exhausted and she
wanted to go to bed, but first she was bringing the glasses into the kitchen.

Alistair, Philippe
and Sharon looked at each other. They saw Grace was tired and began getting up
to help her clean the mess. Grace said goodbye to Sharon before Alistair and
Philippe retreated to the flat.

After a hot shower
and changing into her pyjamas, Grace lay in bed staring at the ceiling in deep
thought. I hope they are right.
If Guy
loves me and wants me back, it’s going to be on my terms and conditions. I
don’t want to be in the spotlight. I just pray that the ghosts of Worthington
Hall don’t resurrect themselves. I don’t need Tamzin or Gemma in my life.

           
Shortly
after midnight, Grace closed her eyes to fall asleep and dream of Guy
whispering
‘I love you’
in her ear.

♥

efore sunrise, Guy escaped to the London
Lions stadium to exercise. Guy felt the stadium was a second home. He enjoyed
the comfort and quietness of it all especially in the early hours of morning.

           
On
the pitch Guy repeatedly kicked a football around. He fine-tuned his football skills
before taking a jog around the pitch. As he jogged Guy listened to music on his
iPhone and lost himself in the thought of Grace.
I need to impress Grace. I want to win her heart and never lose her
again.
Guy’s heart pounded hard against his breastplate.
Grace makes me feel things I’ve never felt
before. She’s a woman I can marry.

           
Guy
envisioned Grace walking down the aisle of St. Paul’s Cathedral dressed in a
billowing white gown and her hair tousled in curls.
 
I want
this date perfect. I need Grace to believe she is the one for me.
Guy’s
iPhone vibrated mid-jog. He stopped to look at it. It was a call from security
at the gate.

           
“Yes?”
Guy growled.

           
“Mr.
Rowling, Mrs. Tamzin Dowling’s here to see you.” Aaron, the security guard
said.

           
Mystified
Guy didn’t reply. Yesterday when Guy returned to his flat he saw Darren left
without leaving notice. He tried to ring Darren’s mobile to see if he was okay,
but there was no answer.

           
“Mr.
Rowling,
Rumour Mill
paps and media
paparazzi are surrounding the gates. We’ve called police. We need additional
security. Are you seeing her?” Aaron asked.

           
“Fine,
I’ll see her. Send Tamzin to clubhouse.” Guy replied.

           
Guy
finished the call.
I’m not going to rush
to Tamzin. She can wait until after my jog and shower to see me.

♥

Patiently Tamzin waited for Guy in the
London Lions clubhouse. She went behind the bar and got a bottle of J2O,
opening it and pouring it into a glass. No one was about except for her, Guy
and security keeping the media at bay.
Good!
Now they’ll have pictures of me leaving with Guy!

           
When
Tamzin left King’s Cross she called her father to put a tail on Guy. Tamzin
wanted to know his whereabouts at all times. Tamzin’s determined to get
her
man.
A man that’s better than Darren any day of the week. What an
embarrassment Darren is!

           
Shortly
after Tamzin’s arrival home, Darren arrived in a drunken stupor. Tamzin watched
him from their window as he climbed the steps. Media swarmed him like bees.
Darren brushed past
Rumour Mill
paparazzi. They shouted their questions whilst taking pictures. As he tripped up
the steps, Darren garbled ‘Fuck off!’ before opening the front door and waving
two fingers at the paparazzi.

           
When
Darren entered the lounge, he didn’t greet Tamzin. He didn’t notice Tamzin
standing by the window. Instead Darren threw himself on the couch to fall
asleep. Tamzin refused to wake him.
What
was the point? It’s not going to change my view.

           
Early
in the morning, Tamzin checked her mobile for text messages. There was one from
the man tailing Guy. He informed Tamzin that Guy was at the London Lions stadium.

           
Tamzin
hopped out of bed. She dressed in a pair of dark- wash skinny jeans, a white
t-shirt and leopard print ballet flats. Tamzin pulled her hair up into a messy
ponytail. She hadn’t bothered to put on too much make-up as she was going for
the scorned wife look.
 
Even though the
sun had yet to make a dent in the sky, Tamzin wore L’Wren Scott oversized sunglasses
over her eyes. Tamzin wanted them to think she spent all night crying from
Darren’s betrayal.

           
As
soon as the front door crept open and Tamzin stepped out on to the steps,
sleep-eyed paparazzi came to life. They ran to her shouting questions.

           
“Did you know about the baby?”

           
“Did you know about the affair?”

           
“Do you know the stripper who worked
for your father?”

           
Without
uttering a sentence, Tamzin bypassed them. She waved them off. Tamzin slipped
into the silver Mercedes GLK 350 that waited for her. As the car careened
through dark silent streets, Tamzin felt like Princess Diana being chased.
Tamzin was grateful to arrive at the stadium in one piece.

           
In
the still of the room Tamzin drank her orange drink. Tamzin was in deep thought
about how she’s going to entice Guy to date her.
This time I can’t play baby games with Guy. I’m going in for the kill.
 
What’s taking him so long?

           
Tamzin
looked to the double doors. Guy appeared. Tamzin slipped the sunglasses down
over the bridge of her nose to take a peek at Guy. For the first time, Tamzin noticed
how hot Guy truly is.
Flipping Nora! He’s
incredibly sexy!
She bit her lip and smiled wryly.
 
Tamzin noticed Guy’s charcoal hair wet and
slick from the shower. His face clean shaven and the smell of his Issey Miyake
cologne wafted to her nose. Guy dressed in a red Ralph Lauren polo shirt and
dark denim shorts. Tamzin tried not to show her smile or pleasure in his
appearance.

           
“Hello
Tamzin.” Guy greeted.

           
“Hello
Guy.” Tamzin replied weakly.

           
Guy
strolled over to the bar to make himself a coffee.

           
“Guy,
did you know about the baby?” Tamzin asked.

           
“No...No.
What baby?” Guy asked as he placed a Nescafe capsule into the Nescafe coffee
machine.

           
Tamzin
shoved fresh print copies of
Rumour Mill
and
The Sun
to Guy. His eyes settled
on the front pages. In black and white ink pictures of Darren with Alana at
Cherries graced the pages. The headlines screamed
‘Doomed Darren the Drunk!’ “What will the Smythe syndicate do to
Darren? Tamzin betrayed.’ ‘Affair with Cherries stripper leaves Darren red in
the face!’

           
Tamzin
pulled off her shades. She tossed them into her Christian Dior handbag. Guy
looked at her. Tamzin’s eyes were swollen, puffy and red. To add emphasis,
Tamzin wore no make-up.

           
“Guy
you would’ve told me right?” Tamzin asked in a soft grieving voice.

           
Guy
didn’t know what to say. He wasn’t going to tell her that the night before
Darren stayed at his and told him all. He couldn’t stand Tamzin and yet she stood
before him as lost little girl seeking help.

           
“Coffee?”
Guy offered. Tamzin shook her head no.

           
“I
thought he loved me. I knew that Darren’s a player, but I thought it be put all
behind him once we married. I didn’t even think he’s capable of having a baby.”
Tamzin continued. “A baby with a stripper! And no less someone who works for my
father. My father’s angry about this, Guy. I don’t know what to do.”

           
As
Guy stirred in his sugar he recalled every detail of his conversation with
Darren. He felt the bile rising in the back of his throat.
Tamzin isn’t an innocent victim
.

           
“Tamzin
stop playing all innocent here. Your father had to know about Darren’s
indiscretion. It was at Cherries for God’s sake. How can William, the all
seeing, all knowing, not know? Presently Darren owes him a great deal of money
and I’m sure it was your father who leaked this to the press to push him to pay
his debts by working for him.” Guy spat. He wasn’t going to hold his tongue.

           
“
It’s possible my father knew, but I didn’t
know! It’s the honest truth. I didn’t know Darren cheated on me like that. I surely
didn’t have a clue about the baby!
” howled Tamzin. She slammed her hands
onto the granite slab.

           
“What
do you want from me Tamzin? I’ve got nothing to say on this matter. This is
between you and your husband. Why don’t you go home to him and sort it out?”
Guy said strongly.

           
“Guy,
ever since Darren lost the premier he comes home drunk. He drinks like there
was an endless supply of vodka. He’s been like this for quite some time. I’m
scared of him. Once he raised his hands at me in anger. Darren wanted to strike
at me because I made a comment on how horrible he did on the pitch! I can’t
stay married to him. He betrayed me, betrayed us. I’m filing for divorce.”
Tamzin sobbed. Tears streamed down her face. She pushed the back of a palm to
her cheek to wipe her tears away woefully. Tamzin wanted Guy to pity and feel
sorry for her. Most of all she wanted him to wrap his strong muscular arms
around her and comfort her.
Then I’ll
have him...

           
“All
I want...all I need is a friend.” Tamzin added.

           
Guy
staggered.
This must be Tamzin’s finest
performance, BAFTA worthy.
Guy saw right through Tamzin.
She’s transparent like a jellyfish and just
as deadly.

           
“You’ve
got friends. Gemma’s your friend. Why don’t you visit her and dump your
problems on her?” Guy asked.

           
“Gemma
isn’t interested. We fell out regarding you getting Gemma pregnant with your
baby. She’s not happy that I didn’t succeed as a friend in helping achieve her
goal of marrying you.” Tamzin lied.

           
“I
never got her pregnant and I believe that you had a lot to do with Gemma and
that
scandal.” Guy retorted.

           
Tamzin
realised she poured salt on a freshly open wound. Guy’s face turned beet red in
anger.
I need to get him back before I
lose him.

           
“It’s
in past.” Tamzin said stepping forward. Tamzin slimly inched herself to Guy and
brought her hand down over his. Guy flinched. Guy grabbed his cup of coffee. He
walked over to a leather couch and took a seat.

           
“We
can be friends now. Please Guy. I need a friend who’s strong and has a good
head on their shoulders. Are you willing to help me through this crisis?”
 
Tamzin moaned.

           
“I’ve
never been on the best of terms with you. It’ll most likely stay that way. You
always get what you want, but being friends with me is unlikely. If divorce is
what you want then seek the advice of a solicitor.”

           
Frustrated
by Guy’s lack of sympathy, Tamzin stormed forward. She pushed his legs open
with her own legs to stand in between him and look down. Guy looked
unimpressed. He sat coolly drinking his coffee, unmoved. Tamzin reached out to
run her fingers through his hair.

           
“Darren’s
your best friend, Guy. Don’t you want to see us happy?” Tamzin cooed.

           
Guy
reached up and pulled her hands off of him. He threw a frosty glare at her.

           
“Tamzin
I can’t answer for Darren, but I can answer for myself. I don’t give a sod’s
arse about whether or not you two stay together. If anything, I’m delightfully
ecstatic that this has all come to light. Finally Darren will grow up and learn
his lesson from
this
mistake!” Guy
countered ferociously.

           
There’s no way of garnering sympathy from
this bastard! It’s not working!
I’m
going to pull out all the military tactics.

           
“You’re
gloating, aren’t you? I can’t believe it. I thought you’re sensitive, the one
with a heart of gold.” Tamzin cried out.

           
 
Guy lifted himself from the seat and pushed
Tamzin back. She moved into him again, this time pushing her index finger into
his chest.

           
“I
thought I’d lean on you for support. I guess I was wrong. Now that you’re top
footballer, the fame and fortune’s gone to your head just as it did Darren.
I’ll never forget my roots like you and Darren.” Tamzin snickered as her talon
dug into his chest.

           
Guy
flinched. Tamzin’s comment struck his nerve. Before Guy replied, Tamzin twirled
on her heels to exit the clubhouse.

♥

Early morning, Grace unlocked the front
doors to Delicious for construction workers. She was staying for the first half
of the day and Mark was to arrive in the afternoon to supervise. She made
herself a cappuccino to wake her up and grabbed a muffin for breakfast. Grace
took her belongings into her office where she sat to eat breakfast and read the
morning papers.