Under New Management (34 page)

The man has stopped his abusive language and is now limp in Dom’s arms. He changes tack and starts begging with Dan not to break his camera.

“Please mate! That’s me only one. It’ll take me ages to get another. Come on! I’ve got kids to feed.”

Dan stares at him with distaste. He looks at the rest of them and then sees Mollie staring with wide eyes at him from the doorway. She shakes her head at him and Dan can never resist his little sister. The others follow the direction of his stare and the tension drops.

“OK mate. Seems like it’s your lucky day. My sister is a bit too soft for her own good. So I’ll tell you what, I’ll let you have your camera back, but without the memory card and I don’t want to see you anywhere near my family again. Is that fair?” Dan asks.

The man nods his head fiercely. He can live with losing the card; he’s got dozens of others in the car anyway. He can’t, however, live without his camera. It’s his best one and contrary to what these blokes believe he isn’t insured. Luckily he had used his smaller one for the earlier shots. They haven’t found it and he needs to bugger off before they do. He was stupid for getting caught. Still, that’s the name of the game. Get the camera back and get back to business.

Dan hands the camera back and Dom lets him go. The photographer sets off at a run out of the drive and down the street. The men laugh loudly and Mollie shakes her head at the ridiculousness of the situation.

Once back inside, Dan explains that he’s come down because he’d seen the papers. He wanted to check they were all OK, but came across matey lurking outside, taking pictures through the window.

“I think you should all go away,” Dom says suddenly.

“What? Don’t be ridiculous! Go away? Where? We have lives, jobs. We aren’t going anywhere,” Mollie tells him furiously.

“I wouldn’t mind going away,” Jim pipes up.

Mollie looks at him with exasperation, “Dad!”

“What? I’m just saying, I wouldn’t mind going on holiday somewhere. It would give all this time to cool down and in a week or two no one is going to care and you wouldn’t have to read what idiots put in the paper.” Jim looks at the others.

Dan and Lindy seem to agree.

Kieran realises that Jim and Dom are absolutely right, “Now that is a great idea. You could all go out to one of our hotels in the Caribbean.”

Jim lets out a “Whoohoo! Now you’re talking!”

Kieran laughs, “OK I’ll organise it. You should be able to fly tonight. It’s the least I can do for getting you all into this mess,” Kieran tells them excitedly. We’ve got our own company jet, so it won’t be a problem to organise at short notice.”

They all boggle at him for a moment as they take in this latest bit of information.
They have a private jet?

Jim lets out another “Whoohooo!”

Lindy squeals and Dan just says, “Nice one.”

Mollie ignores her family and glares at Kieran. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“What?” Jim, Dom and Kieran chorus.

Mollie stares at them all in frustration and then speaks forcefully to Kieran. “I said I’m not going anywhere. I am not running away, I have a new job from tomorrow, remember? If you want to throw your money around then send this lot away. I can stay up at the Hall, if that’s OK? At least I can work at the same time. Looks like you have security now,” she nods at Dom. “If this lot are out of the way I will have less to worry about and quite honestly I don’t think I can cope with Dad and Dan going mental every two minutes over something they may read about me in the papers.”

The others stare hopefully at Kieran.

Dan looks at Kieran, “She has a point. Less people for the press to chase after.”

Kieran admires her courage and thinks it’s a brilliant idea and best of all, she’ll be living and working at the Hall. What a fabulous way for them to get to know each other without interference.

“OK,” he says to the room, “I’ll organise it today. I assume you all have valid passports?” At their unanimous nodding, he continues, “Let’s see if we can’t get you out of here tonight. You can go to St Lucia. You all know Jack’s father, Bill. He’ll look after you.”

As the others start talking loudly all at once, Kieran gets up to leave, followed by Dom.

He takes Mollie’s hands and looks down at her. She swallows at the look in his eye. “I’ll be in touch later with times. I’ll have you all picked up and you can come up to the Hall. This bunch of reprobates can grab a lift to the airfield. Make sure you pack for a few days; it might be a while before you can come back without being hounded.

Would you like to have dinner with us this evening? I promise it will be less eventful than last night,” he asks her hopefully.

Mollie grins, “That would be lovely, although perhaps we should all eat upstairs!”

Kieran laughs, “Good thinking! I’ll give it due consideration. Speaking of which, make sure you keep the curtains closed here until you leave later on. I have no doubt that you will have more visitors before the day’s out.”

Mollie smiles and salutes him smartly, “Yessir!”

He laughs at her and bends down to kiss her cheek.

They say their goodbyes and leave for the Hall.

Mollie smiles indulgently at her over excited family. “Hadn’t you lot better start packing? And what about work? Don’t you need cover?” she points out.

This stops the jabbering dead.

“Christ, yes! I’ll get onto Alan, he can cover for me for two weeks and he can get Adam in to cover for you, Dan. What about you Lindy?” Jim asks her worriedly.

“Yes no problem. I’ll ring Ruth now. They owe me for a few times when I’ve covered at short notice. To be honest it’s probably best, just in case the press come to the school. Ooooh did you hear what I said then? Imagine that, me being hounded by the press! It’s quite exciting, isn’t it?” Lindy says, her eyes shining.

Mollie tuts at her.     

“I’d better get home and let Julie know. I’m sure she can get cover for the shop.” Dan says, “See you all later,” and gives his mother a kiss before leaving.

Julie owns her own gift shop in the town. It shouldn’t be a problem to get her mum or sister to cover for her. Mollie leaves them to their faffing and goes upstairs to start her own packing. She’s excited now, hiding from the press, spending time with Kieran and starting her new job tomorrow. Yes, it’s very exciting indeed!

Gordon Watts takes his leave from David. He virtually skips down the path with his precious haul of photographs. His phone rings as he reaches the pavement and Gordon answers it quickly. “Yes Ralph, have you got anything?”

Ralph excitedly tells Gordon about getting caught, escaping and best of all keeping hold of his other camera. When Ralph discloses its contents, Gordon jumps off the ground and punches the air in delight. He tells Ralph to meet him at the hotel. Gordon has a brilliant story to write.

Meanwhile, David sits smugly staring at his contract worth twenty thousand pounds. Any slight guilt he feels quickly disappears. He didn’t say anything derogatory about Mollie. He may have been slightly misleading by saying that she left him to go back to Jack but it was a harmless white lie. David refrained from mentioning Kevin, he wasn’t that stupid. Kevin wouldn’t be happy anyway. Best not to make things worse. The reporter chap was happy enough with the photos of Mollie with Jack Murphy. David also gave him a couple of wedding photos for good measure and allowed him to take a couple of him looking a little down. Gordon explained that would help to get the price up. David was happy to oblige. Now, as soon as the money is in his bank account, David intends to pay Mollie her money back and rid himself of the past for good.

Chapter 34

Dom drives through the hoard of paparazzi at the end of the drive as they push their cameras up against the car windows in the hope of getting a photo. Dom deliberately decided to drive Kieran in his car because of its blacked out windows.

As they head away and down the drive at speed, Kieran asks Dom what he thinks of Mollie. Dom smiles across at him, “Mate, she’s great. I like her. She’s a brave little thing and she’ll be good for you.” Kieran gives him a delighted smile.

When they march back into the Hall they find Serena sitting alone perched daintily on a chair in the dining room sipping black coffee. She looks up momentarily and then resumes her sipping. Dom taps Kieran on the arm and leaves the room.

Kieran moves into the room and takes a seat opposite her, “I guess you’ve seen these,” he says coldly as he gestures towards the papers which are strewn across the table between them.

Once again Serena looks up at him without speaking and continues sipping. Kieran feels his temper rise. He lets out a frustrated sigh, “I’ve arranged for you to be picked up at twelve thirty.”

Serena puts down her cup and glares at him. “Of course you have darling. You need to be rid of me as soon as possible, don’t you? I suppose you feel you are being honourable, disposing of me before you move your little slapper in?”

Kieran raises an eyebrow at her. “Serena, please don’t reinvent history to suit you. You know that your behaviour has led us to this disappointing outcome and that we are clearly not compatible. I believe it would be best if we both accept that fact and move on with our lives.”

Serena cackles, “Darling, why on earth do you think I care what you believe? I will reinvent things as I see fit. You see darling, I have a career to safeguard. You and I both know that people believe whatever trash is fed to them. My PR people will work on something fabulous to get me out of this particular mire. You don’t seriously think I am remotely worried, surely? You must realise that to me this is simply publicity. I will have it dressed up in any way that suits me. Oh and just so you know, if that in any way ruins your little tramp’s reputation, well so be it.” Serena sits back in her chair and puts her head to one side as she calmly gives Kieran a triumphant smile.

“You bitch!” Kieran says with venom.

Serena merely increases her smile and raises an eyebrow, “Oh dear Kieran darling, are you worried? Well I’m sure you’ll get over it.” She bites her lip and widens her eyes thoughtfully before adding as if she has just realised something. “Of course, I wonder if Johnny and Megan will? Get over it I mean.” She tuts, as Kieran glares at her. “No, I don’t suppose they will. Of course I will try not to be too graphic during my interview later but you know how these things can be. These journalists do have a way of extracting information don’t they? I will just, accidentally of course, allude to the fact that Johnny and I have been having an affair for simply ages and that your little tart found out. Perhaps she tried to blackmail me?” As Serena’s scheming imagination takes flight, Kieran becomes more alarmed.

“Oh God, this is brilliant!” she continues gleefully. “Of course! I shall say, tearfully obviously, that she wanted... oh I don’t know, let’s say thousands of pounds not to tell you or Megan. Clearly that justifies my slapping her, don’t you think? I do so love to play the victim and as you know I am actually rather good at it.” She smirks at him smugly before continuing on her flight of fancy. “Now what about you? Why would I have attacked you?” She puts a finger to the corner of her mouth thoughtfully. “Oh I know, you overheard everything, you were jealous about Johnny and I, you started shouting at me...” She rubs her chin thoughtfully, “Oh yes and then you tried to attack me. I had no choice other than to defend myself. Thank goodness Johnny came to my rescue God only knows how far you might have gone. After all Kieran you do have such a quick temper, don’t you darling?” Her eyes shine with satisfaction at her invented take on events and she sits back, relaxed in the chair.

Kieran stares at her in disbelief. “You actually are completely mental aren’t you Serena? Stark staring mad.” He shakes his head at her.

Serena’s face colours with temper, flying out of her chair she faces off with him over the table, her eyes dark. Throwing her arm out and gesturing at the papers she shouts at him, “Look at them!” “You stupid, stupid, naive man. Look at the photographs! You can weave any story you damned well please around them. All it really boils down to is who has the biggest bollocks? And sorry to say darling, that would be me, metaphorically speaking, of course. You,” she points a thin, manicured finger over the table at him, “You don’t have any bollocks at all, do you? Metaphorical, or otherwise.” Kieran’s eyebrows rise at the slur on his manhood and he gives her a cool smirk. She ignores him and continues.

“I have plenty of time to come up with a suitable spin on events.” She pauses to enable her threats to sink in. “Anyway, it’s been fun. Well some of it has but in all honesty you bore me with your self-righteousness. I had thought that perhaps you might help to ground me but you suffocate me. I need to be rid of you, you and your dreadfully dull hotels and even duller personality. With any luck I will never see you or your vile family ever again, money really cannot buy you class darling. Anyone with half a brain can see where you have all come from, you can’t hide your roots. Anyway can’t stand here chatting, I have my own transport and it sounds as though it has arrived.” She looks above her as the rumbling sound of a helicopter echoes around the room.

She glares at him with icy disdain. Taking a deep calming breath he watches her take back control of her temper her demeanour changing in an instant. Coolly collecting her expensive hand bag, she turns and moves towards the door as she prepares to make her last, dramatic exit.

“Oh, Serena?” Kieran says levelly.

Serena stops just before the door and turns back to him. Her eyes are cold but she waits to see what he has to say.

“I think you and I both know I have the bollocks, both metaphorically and physically. Think carefully about the story you spin. You see, if you hurt my family or Mollie, or, indeed, hers, I will do everything within my power to put the record straight. I will do so even if I have to appear on every available talk show across every news channel. I hope I make myself crystal clear.” Kieran remains in his chair, with his arms folded and looks her straight in the eye without flinching.