Under New Management (18 page)

Kieran finds that he can’t meet them. That has never happened to him before. He’s alarmed, to say the least, and as much as he would also love to brazen it out, he needs time to get his act together.

“If you don’t mind my getting changed, that would be great. What would you like, tea or coffee? Please come on through to the sitting room.” He is speaking quickly as he closes the front door after her and heads past her through the hall to open the sitting room door.

Mollie follows him, smiling to herself.

“Tea would be lovely, thank you,” she tells him as she follows him into the room.

“Right, yes, I’ll, um, ask Angela to bring it through to you. Ermm, I have printed out a list of the questions I wanted to run through with you. Would you be happy to go on and look at them for me?” he asks as he rummages through the paperwork on the bureau which stands just inside the door.

“Yes of course, after all that is what I’m here for,” she says simply as she takes a seat on the sofa and arranges herself seductively.

Kieran turns from the bureau with the hastily found document, and swallows hard. He hands it to her, his hand shaking slightly, and retreats from the room backwards, closing the door behind him. He bends double in the corridor, taking a deep breath as he puts his hands on his knees. Pulling himself up, he breathes in deeply again, mentally slapping himself for being an idiot. He heads for the kitchen to ask Angela to make Mollie some tea. He then flies up the stairs to make himself decent and level the playing field.

Mollie concentrates on the very long list of questions Kieran has given her. She accepts the tea from Angela, who seems a very pleasant lady, and sits quietly whilst she forms her thoughts. She is pleased she has been given this time, enabling her to form clear, accurate responses. She wants Kieran to be impressed; it is of the utmost importance to her, especially after last night. God knows what his impression is of her. It is paramount that he sees her as more than a needy, gullible, woman. She has to show him her other side. When she leaves the Hall today she wants him to be blown away, his interest roused. She has to win back some self respect and gain some much needed kudos.

Kieran breezes back into the room oozing confidence. It is now her turn to swallow as she looks up from her papers. He looks amazing, casual, in a blue shirt open at the neck which accentuates his eyes and well tailored black trousers. His hair is still glistening from his hasty shower and the heady aroma of his aftershave is glorious. She shifts nervously, but masks it well.

As Kieran settles his long limbs into the chair opposite her, she takes the bull by the horns. Keeping her face as expressionless as possible she looks at him coolly and says “Apologies for last night by the way, and the whole kissing you in the toilet thing.”

As Kieran raises his eyebrows she continues, “But you did win me a tenner so I can’t apologise for that.”

Kieran eyes her sceptically but he’s willing to play along. “A tenner, really? How come?”

“Thing is, it was a bet. My mate Emma, the one with the short dark hair...” Kieran gazes at her blankly.

“Anyway, she spotted us getting a bit touchy feely.” She drops that in deliberately, just to ensure that he remembers it wasn’t just her.

“She dared me to kiss you. Well you see I find that hard to resist when I’m pissed. A dare, I mean. Still, think yourself lucky. She had demanded a public show but I managed to negotiate. That’s why the toilet. Emma shoved me through the door and I just got it over with... sorry.” Mollie looks at him apologetically, but inside she is praying that she’s convincing. She doesn’t want him thinking he’s that irresistible to her, especially given that he buggered off.

The idea was spur of the moment but it seemed plausible, so why not? After all, not a complete fib. Emma had indeed popped across and whispered in her ear to get a room. She had also told Mollie in no uncertain terms that she should just get on with it and snog him.

Kieran keeps looking at her. He’s not sure, but if she is lying, she’s good at it. He feels ridiculously disappointed, which is mental considering he had been the one running scared. He also feels that he appears ridiculous to her because he had done just that. What a laugh they must have had at his expense. One kiss and he runs away.
God, that is just great.

Keeping his face neutral he says, “Oh that’s fine, I rather enjoyed it, though I’m not sure about the old chap! He seemed a little put out that there was a lady in the gents’.” He laughs, and with relief, Mollie laughs with him.

“I am so sorry for not saying goodbye. I couldn’t find you anywhere. I did ask Jack to give you my apologies.” It wouldn’t hurt to implicate Jack. Kieran smiles to himself as Mollie’s mouth forms an ‘O’. He continues, “Only, I received an urgent phone call from a colleague. There was a problem at one of the hotels which I had to deal with. I won’t bore you with the details but I needed to get to a computer to sort it out. Anyway, I rang Megan to pick me up and, well, I apologise. You must have thought me very rude.” He gazes at her, his face contrite.

“Oh, of course, no need to apologise. Jack told me you had had to leave. Anyway, this list,” Mollie says brusquely, turning to the papers in her hand. “Shall we get down to business?” She changes the subject. She feels terrible now. God, now he thinks she’s some sort of vulgar thrill seeker, up for anything - a chav in a business suit. Jesus, why hadn’t she kept her big mouth shut? All she wants to do now is get this meeting over with as soon as possible and get the hell out of here and away from him.

Chapter 18

Two hours later Mollie and Kieran have moved to the study. They are seated next to each other at the large central table with files and paperwork littered across the top. Kieran has his laptop open and Mollie has downloaded all relevant estate files onto his memory stick from her computer, which remains in her old office. Mollie has answered his questions methodically and he appears pleased with her answers. The extensive list contains questions about the characters and competencies of the staff, suppliers, the tenants and their leases. He has quizzed her on the Hall’s grounds and the farm, showing interest in the crops, meat and dairy produce; all that Lord John had enthused about.

The farm is one of Mollie’s bugbears and as Kieran had brought it up she wasted no time in enlightening him on the bizarre, and to her mind unfair, arrangements in place.

The farm is tenant-owned by the Grant family, has been for two generations and is covered by an unusual lease which ensures the landowners (now the McLaren Group) receive a percentage of the annual profits gained from all the agricultural assets.

The lease is renewed every twenty years and this is due again next year. The historical agreement was drawn up by Lord John’s great-great-grandfather who adored the idea of farming but hadn’t been too keen on the compulsory hard graft. The agreement offered him the best of both worlds and so it has remained for a hundred and fifty years. The tenants are happy as the rent is extraordinarily low by today’s standards.

Mollie is not too bothered about that but she is pissed off that ten years ago Lord John gave them permission to operate other businesses on the land. She had counselled him strongly against it at the time. She had implored him to at least demand a rent increase or another profit share. However, Lord John did neither. He liked Bob Grant and applauded him and his hard work. Farming was a never ending task and Bob Grant worked hard. The agreement was amended and Mollie feels that the family, especially Mrs Grant and the younger son, have been taking the piss ever since.

The Grants, being rather a shrewd bunch and indeed having taken advantage of Lord John’s good nature, now operate a corporate quad biking venture, dog boarding kennels and also run a four-star bed and breakfast from the enormous farmhouse. The estate cannot claim profit from these lucrative operations.

Only Mr Grant and his eldest son’s passion for farming ensure that any agricultural activities do actually occur. If Mrs Grant had her way they would keep a couple of chickens and nothing more in order to comply with the terms of the lease. Kieran finds this disclosure extremely interesting. He completely understands where Mollie is coming from. Clearly the family had hoodwinked Lord John. They were, it seemed, on to a good thing at the estate’s expense.

This annoys Kieran. The books show the profits from the farm produce are negligible. The rent is ridiculous; any business brain could see that this situation is untenable.

As the two of them go over the books in close proximity, their original awkwardness and point-scoring appears forgotten. Mollie points out the horrendous figures spent on repairs to the farm over the years. The Grants simply produced quotes, gained agreement from Lord John and sent the bill to the Hall. Mollie had been furious on each occasion. However, she’d been left with no choice other than to pay up. None of the other tenants took advantage like the Grants.

Kieran is stunned at the audacity.
Bloody cheek.
He stares at a figure of £25,000 to replace the farmhouse roof. He is even more annoyed when Mollie points out that the building contractor who always got the jobs was actually Mrs Grant’s brother.

“Hey you’re not annoyed because your Dad didn’t get the work, are you?” he teases.

Mollie glares at him and says indignantly, “No I bloody well am not. You can ask anyone, Bill James is a one man band who has a bad reputation round here as a real cowboy builder.”

“OK, sorry! I was only joking, you know,” he teases as he holds his hands up in surrender.

Mollie sighs, “No, I’m sorry for firing up on you. It’s just that you have no idea how many times I have had arguments with Lord John over the whole thing. Do you know there are two cottages on the farmland, and guess who lives in them completely rent free?”

“Um, now let me think, it wouldn’t be the two sons by any chance?” he asks.

“Do you know what, Mr McLaren? You aren’t as stupid as you look, are you?” she tells him playfully.

“No I am not as it goes, but please don’t tell anyone. My reputation will be shot to bits.” Kieran smiles widely at her.

Mollie makes a sign of a cross over her heart, “I promise not to say a word.”

“OK then, and in return I promise to really look into the whole farm thing. I love a good detective story. I’ll have to pay them a visit soon and get my facts straight before I look into the lease renewal.” He throws his hand up in the air, using his pen to mimic a sword, “Don’t worry, their piss-taking days are numbered. We shall prevail.”

Mollie giggles, “I’m glad to hear it; it’s only taken many years of working here and a change of owner for someone to actually listen to me. You have no idea of the relief.”

“Well fear not fair maiden, I will slay your metaphorical dragon for you and you will be able to gloat to your heart’s content.” Kieran gazes at her, with a beautiful smile.

“Kind Sir, how will I ever repay you?” she simpers sarcastically at him.

“Yes Kieran darling. How will she?” The haughty, husky, upper class voice comes from behind them making them both jump and spin round.

Mollie nearly falls out of her chair in shock as she takes in possibly the most beautiful woman she has ever seen up close.

OMG! Serena Bonart!
Mollie thinks she’s hallucinating. Serena Bonart, the gorgeous, world famous, Hollywood actress stands in front of her, in the study, here in Sedgwick.

“Nooo way,” she breathes the words quietly.

She remains ridiculously star struck, even when Kieran shoots from his chair and rushes up to Serena. Taking her in his arms he says breathlessly, “Serena, darling, what on earth are you doing here? You’re supposed to be in Croatia. Filming not going to plan?”

Serena lifts her cheek to accept his kiss and eyes him steadily. “The filming is fine, just as soon as they sort out a few little bits and pieces for me I shall go straight back. Until then they can go whistle. I’m much more interested in your little stage play, right here in this room.” The sentence hangs heavy in the air as she rotates her challenging brown eyes between the two of them.

Mollie swallows, this is just too surreal. Lou is so not going to believe it. Serena’s annoyance has washed right over Mollie who is wondering if she could ask for a photo or an autograph.

Kieran is gutted.
Bloody Serena!
He hadn’t expected to see her for at least a month. Trust her to turn up and ruin everything. He’s been glancing at Mollie to gauge her reaction and feels slightly better that she clearly hasn’t grasped what is going on. She certainly hasn’t picked up on Serena’s sarcasm and he needs to open his mouth before she loses her legendary temper. She is a very jealous woman. Not particularly jealous of Kieran, she’s simply jealous of anything or anyone that takes the limelight from her.

Kieran mans up, “Serena I am sorry, how rude of me. This is Mollie Brown. Mollie, I can tell you’ve already recognised Serena but please come and meet her properly.”

As Mollie moves from her chair in a trance, Kieran continues, “Mollie I would like to introduce you to the magnificent Serena Bonart.”

Serena holds out a dainty, beautiful hand. As Mollie shakes it she feels as if her own hand has suddenly grown to the size of a baseball glove. Serena barely holds Mollie’s hand but gives all the appearance of shaking it heartily. Mollie feels as if her hand must be sweating as she swallows in awe.

Serena withdraws her hand and gives Mollie an indulgent smile, her incredible, full lips only slightly turning up at the edges. Mollie stares at her. She truly is incredibly beautiful. Stunning, in fact: her skin is flawless. She has a look of Audrey Hepburn about her, with huge eyes and a beauty spot just above her top lip. Her short dark brown hair is shining and perfectly styled and her perfume permeates the room. Serena is tiny, about the same height as Mollie but with a perfectly formed petite figure. She must be a size 0, Mollie thinks. She hadn’t thought it was possible to be that little and still be alive.