Delicious (A Rumour Mill Novel) (24 page)

           
Grace
opened her
Rumour Mill
paper. She
bypassed front-page headlines. Instead Grace went straight to page six which
had a headline that interested her. It was a small article followed with a
picture of Amanda Priestly and hot Hollywood heartthrob, Jake Reiss. Underneath
that picture was another picture of Guy and Grace standing close together in
Delicious.

Rumour Has It:
Amanda Priestly leans on Hollywood Hottie, Jake Reiss, after breakup with Guy
Rowling
.

           
It seems after yesterday’s fiasco in Covent
Garden bakery, Delicious, in which Guy Rowling sudden appearance caused a fan
mob to erupt, Amanda Priestly has called it quits with Guy. It was rumoured
Amanda and Guy were dating and she has had enough of the English golden-boy
charming way.

           
Sources say that Amanda is deeply
upset upon hearing that Guy was seen comforting baker of the stars, Grace
Knowles and assuring her that damages to the business will be paid for by the
footballer.

           
Currently Amanda is filming Helen of
Troy remake on the island of Cyprus with Jake Reiss. Amanda and Jake were seen
leaving a small, quaint restaurant, holding hands. This doesn’t bode well for
Jake’s wife, Abrielle Vaughn, who is in the Philippines adopting their twelfth
child.

           
Sources close to Amanda say that
Jake is tired of changing nappies and is interested in women who are dangerously
seductive like Amanda. We’ll keep you update on this developing Rumour Mill.

           
Unaware
of her office door ajar Grace didn’t look up to see Guy slowly opening the door
watching her. He knocked softly so not to startle her. She looked up in
surprise. Grace smiled.
He’s jaw dropping
sexy today.
But her smile quickly turned to a frown when Grace thought
about the article she just read.

           
“Oh.
I wasn’t expecting to see you here.” Grace murmured as she folded the paper.
She didn’t want Guy catching her reading it.

           
“I
came to see if the workers arrived on time.” Guy said. He noticed Grace
blushing. He already caught her looking at the paper before he knocked and knew
she was embarrassed by it.

           
“Why
do you read that trash?” Guy asked as he propped himself on the edge of her
desk.

           
“It
seems to be more honest than you.” Grace said barely above a whisper. Grace’s
voice didn’t hide her annoyance as the story regarding Amanda did annoy her.
She grimaced.

           
“What
did you read that you believe is credible?” Guy said rubbing his chin.

           
When
Grace didn’t reply Guy picked up the paper to see for himself. He too didn’t
bother looking at the first pages as he already knew what they were about.
Flippantly Guy searched the pages until he found the article. Guy began to
laugh.

           
“Why
are you laughing?” Grace crowed.

           
“Because
you believe this nonsense. Do you want to know the truth or are you that
gullible that you couldn’t be bothered to ask about Amanda?” Guy said tossing
the paper in a nearby trash bin.

           
“Well,
what’s going on between you and Amanda?” Grace asked crossing her arms beneath
her bosom. She pouted.

           
Guy
loved the way Grace pouted. He wanted to toss Grace over his shoulder and take
her to a hotel. He’d rip her knickers off to lick every inch of her quivering,
sopping pussy until she unleashed every last drop of sweet cream whilst she was
still in a strop.

           
“Amanda’s
my sister.” Guy admitted with a heavy sigh. He shifted his weight to avoid
showing his pronounced erection.

           
“Your
sister? And I’m to believe that.” Grace said haughty.

           
“Yes,
she’s my sister. My biological sister. No one knows about our family
relationship and we prefer it that way. Amanda, Darren and I go to great
lengths to keep our past a secret from the media. We know we can get further on
our own without our family history involved.” Guy said in a stern voice.

           
Grace
shook her head in disbelief. She didn’t know how to reply.

           
“Amanda
leads a separate life. One built by her publicist, management and what not.
When I went off to train with the London Lions, I left Amanda and our young
sister, Scarlet behind with our parents. I shouldn’t have done it. I should’ve
stayed, but I didn’t. Later on Amanda ran away. She came to London and
befriended people in television. They took her in and she became Amanda
Priestly. Scarlet followed suit a few years later. She was to meet with Amanda
before she flew to Los Angeles, but never showed up. We know that Scarlet is
alive and well as she sends us letters from places abroad and in London, but
she never tells us who she is staying with. She tells us she has a wonderful
job as a personal assistant to a wealthy couple and that’s it.” Guy said
getting off the desk.

           
Grace
got up and came up beside him. His eyes lost their shine. Guy felt miserable
when he spoke of Amanda and Scarlet. It was as though he regretted not being a
better man to them.

           
“The
Rumour Mill is just a rag and that’s all. Next time, ask me.” Guy said.

           
“Yes
I will.” Grace replied strongly.

           
“Tonight
I’m going to Scotland to film an advert for a pair of trainers. I’ll be back
before Saturday for our date.” Guy said with a wry smile.

           
“Did
I say yes?” Grace snickered.

           
“No,
but I gained permission from your look-like Robbie Williams uncle which is a
yes to me.” Guy retorted with a twinkle in his eye.

           
Guy
began to walk to the door. Grace walked steps behind him. Guy turned to her and
moved close into her body. The smell of his cologne, the brisk touch of his
arms near hers made Grace shiver. Suddenly Grace felt panic. The room seemed to
close in on her. She was afraid, but not because of Guy. Unconsciously, Grace
pressed her palm to the bruise Trevor done.
 
Guy put his hand on top of hers.

           
“Who
did this to you?” Guy asked looking deep into her eyes. “Tell me Grace. You
never answered my question yesterday, but I expect an answer now.”

           
“Guy
it’s over with, I promise you. It doesn’t matter now.” Grace said. She couldn’t
bring herself to look at him in the eye. Grace felt deep in her heart that Guy
might go insane if he knew it was Trevor.

           
Someone
behind them cleared their throat. Grace looked over Guy’s shoulder, it was
Mark.

           
“Grace
you won’t believe what has arrived! Flowers by Samantha are delivering dozens
upon dozens of rose bouquets. They’re all for you! Here’s the card!” Mark
squealed as he handed her the card.

           
Grace
looked at Guy. Guy shook his head denying that he sent the roses. Carefully
Grace opened ecru colour envelop. She pulled out a handwritten note.
 
It was from Trevor. Guy watched as Grace’s
face turned ashen and pale. Guy took the letter from Grace’s hand and read it.

           
Now I got my answer! Trevor slapped Grace.
Trevor did the damage and now he’s going to pay for it!

           
Guy’s
demeanour changed. He looked like a hulking lion on the hunt with his prey in
sight. Grace reached out to him.

           
“Please
Guy, I promise its’ over.” Grace said touching his cheek.

           
“I’m
sorry Grace, but Trevor needs to pay for what he did to you.” Guy growled.
Guy’s jaw clenched to the point that his teeth might shatter and his fist held
tightly to his sides.

           
“Ahem!
Those roses are disturbing our work, missus!” A worker said standing behind
Mark.

           
Guy
ran out of the office. He rushed into the store and saw the roses coming in by
droves. The workers stood in their places, scratching their heads because of
their inability to work. Mark and Grace tried stopping the delivery, but the
drivers insisted since it was all bought and paid for it had to remain with
Grace. They had other deliveries to do instead of carting around over twenty
four dozen of roses. Guy scowled and swore under his breath. Quickly he said
goodbye to Grace and promised to call her later. Grace’s body shook in
nervousness.
 
I hope Guy doesn’t do any harm.

           
It
was a far-fetched wish on her part.

♥

When
Guy arrived at the Rabbit and Hare it was closed for service, but the front
door was open. Guy walked in just as a photographer brought in equipment for a
photo shoot for
U.K. Culinary
magazine.

           
Staff walked about, setting tables
with crisp white linen, fine crystal goblets and polished silverware. Trevor stood
in the middle of the restaurant with his back to Guy as he talked to the
journalist.

           
Trevor felt a hand grab his shoulder
and spun him around. A hard knuckled fist came crashing down onto Trevor’s
face, knocking Trevor into a few tables around him. Bewildered Trevor regained
his composure as his eye began to swell rapidly and a cut appeared just under
it. He blinked to see Guy raving mad and hulking over him, to land another hit.

           
“Crikey!” cried the reporter as she
herself jumped out of the way to save herself from getting hurt in the brawl.

           
“Why the hell did you hit me for?!”
Trevor shouted.

           
“
That’s
for Grace! You stay away from her, you hear me! Far, far away from her! You
ever come near her again I’ll beat you to a pulp and I’ll have you arrested!”
Guy roared.

           
“I should have you arrested for
assault!” Trevor snarled.

           
“It’s
a bruise! It’s exactly like the one you gave Grace!” Guy snorted before walking
off.

           
Trevor
stormed off to the kitchen. He snatched ice from the fridge, throwing it on a teacloth
and placing it on his eye. Puzzled, everyone stood around wondering what just unfolded.

♥

In Ivy-upon-Wye, Cat and Corrie went to the
Bird in Hand pub for afternoon tea. Simultaneously they doused their fish and
chips with malt vinegar as they talked about work and random bits of gossip.
Ms. Penny came over to Cat and Corrie’s table to join them for lunch.

           
“I’ve
heard about your niece’s business.” Ms. Penny said placing three shandies down
onto the table.

           
As
Corrie bit into her chip, she looked up to see Ms. Penny sitting down with a
Rumour Mill
paper tucked under her arm.

           
“How
did you know about Grace’s business?” Cat asked cutting through her cod.
 
Lately the Savoury Plum overwhelmed with
tourists from all over. They hadn’t had much of chance to sit down with their
local friends to talk about life in general. This was a first in a long time to
sit in a pub, have lunch and drink with a good friend.

           
“It
was in the paper this morning.” Ms. Penny replied.

           
Cat
and Corrie looked at each other quizzically. Last night Grace explained it was
nothing and that the ruckus was between two customers fighting on the queue. Ms.
Penny gave the paper to Cat. Ms. Penny took the liberty of highlighting the
headline and creasing the page so Cat could find it quickly.

           
Cat
read the article as Ms. Penny and Corrie continued to eat their meal. Cat felt
as though the bottom of her feet were on flaming hot coals and the fire worked
its way up her body. She looked like a pressure cooker ready to explode.

           
“Are
you alright Cat?” asked Corrie.

           
“No...I’m
not alright. That bloody bastard’s returned!” Cat snapped viciously.

           
“Who?”
Corrie asked.

           
“Guy...Guy
Rowling!” Cat yelled.

♥

Over late afternoon brunch and hair of the
dog, Darren settled down to read the papers. It was the first bit of peace he
had since his arrival last night. The endless doorbell ringing by paparazzi
finally ceased after Darren acquired security services.