Delicious (A Rumour Mill Novel) (34 page)

♥

The police returned from their sheep
outing. They bypassed Cat and headed straight for the receptionist. Suddenly
the reception switchboard lit up like a Christmas tree. Several calls came in
regarding Worthington Hall. The officers tried to run out to their cars, but
Cat jumped up stopping them.

           
“It’s
Grace isn’t it?!” Cat demanded to know.

           
“We’ll
speak when we return. An incident has happened at the hall, that’s what we
know.” One officer stated.

           
They
pushed pass Cat. Quick on her heels Cat went to her car to follow them to the
hall.

♥

Swarms of police from Ivy-upon-Wye,
Hereford and Clyro, along with helicopters approached Worthington Hall. Grace lay
down on a bed in a suite off the main floor. A maid placed a damp cool cloth on
Grace’s head.
 
She saw Grace trembling in
fear.

           
A
woman police officer came into the room to see Grace. She asked her questions
which Grace responded to, but Grace wanted to leave. She wanted to go home and
be left alone. She didn’t want to see anyone except family. Ambulance personnel
came into the room to take her vitals before moving her to the hospital.

           
There
was a short heavy knock on the door. The officer opened it. Cat pushed past
without disclosing who she was.

           
“Grace!”
Cat cried taking Grace in her arms.

           
The
officer was about to ask who was Cat.

           
“I’m
her aunt!
She’s my niece!
I’m
grateful she’s alive.” Cat snapped.

           
“I
thought I lost you.” Cat sobbed.

           
Grace
began to choke on her tears. The saltiness of her tears on her lips made Grace
appreciative of being alive.

           
The
attendant came over to move Grace onto a gurney.

           
“Will
she be fine?” Cat asked.

           
“We
let doctors determine if she’ll be fine.” The attendant replied securing Grace
on the gurney.

           
They
moved Grace out of the room into reception area to bring her to the ambulance.
Guy came running in, but it was late.

           
“Grace!”
Guy cried out as they placed her in ambulance.

           
“Leave
her be! She doesn’t want to know you! You’ve done enough damage to her!”
snapped Cat. “You’ve ruined her off of men for good!”

           
Guy
ran to ambulance doors.

           
“Grace
is it true?” he asked pitifully.

           
“Leave
me be.” Grace answered stoic.

           
Cat
climbed into ambulance. The attendant closed the doors, blaring sirens for the
journey to hospital. Guy stood in the gravel driveway feeling his heart break
for the second time.

♥

fortnight passed Grace shocked by the
shooting and kidnapping made herself a recluse in Ivy-upon-Wye. It didn’t help
she was nearly seven weeks pregnant. She needed to recover physically and
emotionally from the damage Trevor had done. It made Grace scared of everyone
and anything.

Media camped out
in front of her home in Tooting Bec and Delicious. Grace stood in Ivy-upon-Wye
to avoid them, but they had their way of finding her.
Rumour Mill
called on a daily basis to the Savoury Plum regarding
Grace. Cat firmly told them to sod off.

The night of the
rescue, something clicked in Grace. Her inner voice spoke to her, telling her
that her relationship with Guy was cursed. She didn’t want their love to be
cursed. Grace worried for their baby and their lives. She knew they’d never
have a ‘normal’ relationship without the constant scrutiny and spotlight.
There’s always something, someone, media,
and football. We will never be left to our own devices to let our love grow.
It’s the truth of their future, one Grace wasn’t sure she should settle for her
and the baby.

Corrie remained in
London to oversee the business and flat. She stayed at Guy’s until the police
investigation was over. Once it was over with, Corrie returned to the house.
She stayed in with Alistair whilst professional cleaners came to restore
Grace’s flat. Grace was thankful for her aunt. Corrie promised to return to Ivy
when Grace was ready to return home.

♥

Guy tried contacting Grace. It was exactly
like before. Cat refused Guy to speak to Grace. He tried Grace on her mobile,
but his calls went straight to voicemail. He left messages begging Grace to
return his calls. She never returned them. One night whilst visiting Darren,
Guy talked in through with Darren.

           
“Give
it time mate. She’s been through the wars.” Darren said as he ate his orange
gelatine.

           
“You’re
right. Grace needs space and time.” Guy admitted.

           
In
a matter of eight weeks, their lives been turned upside down. Guy watched as
their relationship crumbled due to the actions of a greedy glamour model, a
mobster and a psychotic chef.
Rumour Mill
had a field day.

           
Tamzin’s
death brought on spotlight for the brothers. The shooting and death garnered a
status of celebrity sainthood. Her funeral was a week away and a line of
celebrities, footballers, and models offered their deepest condolences to
Darren. Darren’s room was filled with balloons, cards and flowers ranging from
get well soon to sympathy.

           
To
Guy’s surprise Darren appeared subdued by it all. Deep within Guy knew Darren
was grieving for the woman he thought to believe he married, not Tamzin the
bitch who wanted Darren dead for money.

           
Earlier
Darren’s solicitor’s popped by the hospital for a visit. They came with great
news. Tamzin’s death was a windfall for Darren. Her insurance paid off all their
debts leaving Darren scot-free. He owned their town home and their manor
outright. Strangely enough, Tamzin’s last will and testament stated Darren was
to inherit everything including anything inherited by her father’s untimely death.
It meant since William is dead Darren collected his life insurance policy as
well.

           
In
a surreal twist of fate William suffered a massive heart attack and died the
next day while undergoing heart surgery. DI Frey was upset. He thought he was
going to lose his job over it, but it was determined that the news of Tamzin’s
death didn’t kill William. It was his diet and smoking.

Thereafter Alana
came to visit with Darren. She had Max in her arms and was glad Darren allowed
the visit.

“Hello Alana.”
Darren said.

“Thank you for
seeing me. I thought you’d never want to hear from me again.” Alana said
timidly.

“I didn’t. I
realise you’re just as much as a victim in this.” Darren replied. He touched
Max’s hand who reached out for him.

“I’m aware Max
isn’t my child. I want to assure you he’ll always be taken care of. That’s the
least I can do for him. I’d hate for Max to grow without a father.” Darren
added smiling taking Max into his arms. Max held out a Post Man Pat toy in his
hand to show Darren.

“Thank you. I’m
sorry for everything I have done.” Alana replied. Fat tears rolled down on her
cheeks.

“Apology accepted.
I’m sorry too. I should’ve never done what I did to you, it was foolish. These
actions were careless and thoughtless.” he patted Alana’s hand to let her know
that he was genuine in his forgiveness and apology.

A few days later
Darren was released from hospital. His mother collected him and brought him
back to the town home. With the help of his mum, Darren recuperated. They
oversaw the sale of the town home so Darren could move on with his life.

♥

Grace couldn’t bring herself to tell Cat that
she’s pregnant. Grace stood in the bedroom that was once hers, contemplating
how she was going to tell her. Corrie knew and approached Grace the day before
Grace was to return to London.

           
“You
don’t have to go if you don’t want to.” Corrie said as she watched Grace pack
her suitcase with her belongings.

“I’ve got to get
back. As they say, keep calm and carry on.” Grace said.

“Yes, but not in
your condition.” Corrie replied picking up a jumper and folding it. Corrie
caught Grace’s gaze.

           
“Grace,
I know you’re pregnant. I came across your GP’s pregnancy information kit. It
took me by surprise. Normally I’d tell Cat, but I couldn’t bring myself to tell
her. I believe that’s your story to tell.” Corrie added.

           
“I’ll
tell her before I leave. I just need time to think about what I was going to
do. I don’t know if I can raise a child with Guy and I don’t want to raise them
in the crazy environment I’ve been living in the past few weeks.” Grace said.

           
“It’s
not where you’re living. It’s who you’re associating yourself with. I’m not
going to lie and say that I’m jumping for joy regarding all that’s happened. At
the end of it all I know Guy truly does love you. I’ve never seen a man love a
woman as much as you. The exception of your own father, of course. He loves you
Grace. Now Tamzin and Trevor are not in your life, maybe this baby’s the
opportunity for you two to start afresh.” Corrie replied sitting on the bed.
“Do you really want to stay in Ivy forever? Do you want to give up your
business and your true love to raise this baby here?”

           
Grace
shrugged. The questions were ones Grace thought about day and night. She
couldn’t keep this baby from Guy, but Grace is afraid for the future, terrified
in fact.
Was this kidnapping and murder
the tip of the iceberg?
Prior to meeting Guy, Grace read
Rumour Mill
articles regarding attempts
of blackmailing of footballers and/or kidnapping plots. She never thought it
would happen to her. Yet it did and she didn’t want anything like this to
happen to her and their baby.

           
“No.”
Grace replied.

           
“This
wasn’t your fault or his, as much as I’d love to blame him for it. Don’t keep Guy
away from his child, Grace and don’t be afraid of the future. I think you’ve
been through enough and your bad luck’s at an end.” Corrie said confidently.

Corrie was sure of
it.
There’s no way Grace could undergo
another round of craziness in her life time and surely God didn’t do things in
jest!

           
Grace
nodded. She felt uncomfortable. Her jeans were too snug around her waist. Grace
needed to release the zipper for some room. Corrie smiled.

           
“You
can’t hide baby for long.” Corrie added getting up as Grace popped the button
to her jeans.
It’s true. I’ve got to tell
Cat, but tonight it can wait a little while longer.

♥

At Tamzin’s funeral paparazzi descended on
the crematorium in full-force. They angled their lenses on Guy. Guy detested
every second of it.

Guy dubbed a hero
made him desirable to the tabloids. All of them wanted an exclusive interview
from Guy regarding the ordeal. Everyone knew about Trevor’s suffering from
psychosis, but they wanted Guy’s version of the tale. There wasn’t a minute
that went by in the news that didn’t have some story related to Trevor, Tamzin,
Guy or Darren. Finally Guy put a stop to press calls by having Frederick issue
statements asking for privacy at this time. On the day of Tamzin’s funeral
Rumour Mill
paps took the opportunity to
hound Guy as it was a private event in a public setting.

           
During
the funeral Guy walked alongside Darren. Darren was strong yet distant. Darren
broken down in tears as Tamzin’s coffin lowered for cremation. The chains of
Tamzin’s greediness and her father’s grip on him were released and Darren cried
for the woman he wished Tamzin to be not who she really was. After the services
Darren approached Guy.

           
“I’m
leaving England for awhile, mate.” Darren announced as Guy turned to him before
he got into the Bentley.

           
“When
are you leaving? You’ve got a season to play with Tottenham Heat and a contract
to live up to?” Guy asked.

           
“Tottenham
allowed compassionate leave to me. They’re investigating the blackmail and game
fixing scandal. I’ve already booked my ticket. I’m leaving soon.” Darren
replied putting his hand on Guy’s shoulder.

           
“Where
are you going to?” Guy wondered. Darren leaving England temporarily was
probably a good idea.

           
“Brazil.”
Darren said. “I need to clear my head. I need to think about things for a bit.”

           
“Good
for you. It’s for the best.” Guy was sincere. He knew Darren needed rest.

           
“Guy,
don’t let Grace go for one more minute. I know she needs her time to think. She’s
a great girl. Call her in a few days.” Darren advised.

           
“I
will. I must be going Darren.” Guy said looking at his watch. He did not want
to stay any longer than he did. He knew the paparazzi were chomping at the bit
to get more photographs of them together.

           
Darren
nodded. The brothers hugged tightly before saying last goodbyes. Guy knew it’d
be some time before he heard from Darren.

♥

Grace kept in daily contact with Mark at
Delicious. All was going well and profit up. She was grateful for her reliable
staff and the fact that they all maintained sanity. Now it was time to return
and Grace felt uneasy. The thought of going back to her own flat sickened Grace.
Images of Trevor pulling the trigger to shoot Darren and Tamzin were embedded
in her mind.

At night Trevor
crept into her dreams. She’d see his face and naked body hovering above her. Grace
felt Trevor’s hands running over her breasts and sex, making her wake screaming.
Cat would run in to assure her that he wasn’t there and all was ok.
It’s hard to get away from nightmares. It’s
as though even in death Trevor’s still reaching out to me.
Grace’s last
night before her return was even more difficult.

           
Grace
woke up with a jolt clutching her pillow. She turned to grab a glass of water
left on the nightstand. She put her feet on the ground of her old bedroom and
looked around. She missed the old look of her bedroom and realised she didn’t
belong here. She needed Guy. Guy made her feel safe. Guy kept his promise that
he would always be there for her no matter what. He made the journey back home
from Tokyo without truly knowing what was going to happen, he did it because he
loved her. Grace knew what to do next. She drank her water and placed the glass
down.
         
Grace went to her handbag
to fish out her Blackberry. It was late but she needed to hear his voice and
speak to him. The phone rang a few times before Grace heard his throaty growl.

           
“Grace?”
Guy whispered as he sat up in his bed. “Are you alright, love? Do you need me
to come get you from where you are?”

           
“Guy,
he haunts my dreams. He’s always there and I want him gone. I want you here and
I want to be in your arms.” Grace wept. “I’ve got so much to tell you. I don’t
want to stay here, but I’m afraid and don’t want to live in fear.”

           
“You
don’t have to live in fear Grace. He’s dead and gone along with Tamzin. I made promises
that I’ll always protect you. I came for you and I was there. I’ll always be
regardless of what others may think.” Guy said. He ran his fingers through his
dark silky hair.

           
“I
don’t want to go back to my flat.” Grace admitted.