Delicious (A Rumour Mill Novel) (15 page)

When Gemma took
the cup of tea she believed Trevor was being polite. Gemma welcomed his
affections as Trevor cuddled next to her, telling her all will be fine. The
storm increased its strength and Gemma felt since she couldn’t have Guy at
least she’ll have fun with a celebrity chef. But Gemma hadn’t expected to feel
woozy from tea. She tasted the brandy, but was unaware of the sedative added to
it.

All it took was
fifteen minutes and her body felt heavy, her eyelids felt as though iron
weights pressed down on them. Soon thereafter Trevor managed to bring her into his
bedroom. Trevor stripped her clothes and began playing with her. In the
beginning his touch felt soft. Suddenly it turned to pinches, twists and slaps.

Trevor brought out
various sex toys that weren’t sold in Ann Summers shops. As Gemma pleaded for
him to stop with her eyes, her voice seemed paralyzed in fear. The words
couldn’t escape. She watched as he mounted her and began his assault.

Gemma cringed and
shuddered. Even now Gemma felt his clammy fingers gripping her neck as Trevor tried
suffocating her before climaxing. During orgasm Trevor hadn’t bothered calling
out Gemma’s name. Instead he shouted out
Grace
at the top of his lungs making Gemma sick. Bile rose up her throat and Gemma
leaned over the tub to heave.

Grace...what does she have that I don’t have? Why are men so
interested in her? She looks plain and average to me?

Thinking about Grace
receiving attention from Guy and Trevor sickened Gemma.
It’s not fair and something must be done!

Gemma sat back in
tub scowling. Gemma decided as soon as she was done bathing she’s going to have
a word with Tamzin to settle the matter once and for all.

♥

At the Bird in Hand pub in Ivy, Darren’s
anger slowly subsided as he watched his brother buy everyone a pint and a shot.

           
I can’t keep doing this to Guy. He’s right.
I don’t want to lose my only friend.
He needed Guy to help keep his head
straight.
I’ve got to apologise. I need
him back.
It wasn’t in Darren’s nature to apologise, but this time it was
the right thing to do. Guy brought a pint and a shot to the table. He handed it
off to Darren.

           
“Cheers
mate.” Darren said.

           
Guy
nodded. Guy returned to his prior conversation with teammates. After thirty
minutes of footie banter, Darren plucked up courage.
It’s now or never. I can’t lose my brother. I need him.
Darren
tapped Guy on his shoulder. Guy turned around to come face to face with Darren.

           
“Can
we talk mate?” Darren asked.

           
“Now?”
Guy questioned. Everyone looked at them in fear of another brawl breaking out
between the two.

           
“Yes.”
Darren replied.

           
Guy
shrugged his shoulders. He excused himself from the group and followed Darren
out to the patio.

“What do you
want?” Guy asked as soon as they’re alone.

“Guy, I’ve been
thinking a lot about what you said. I really don’t want to lose you. You’re my
best mate and brother. I need you by my side. I know I haven’t been a good
friend to you. I’m sorry for all the trouble I’ve caused you. I don’t want this
conflict to ruin Tamzin’s wedding day.” Darren said with sincerity in his
voice. Guy’s mouth went slack from gobsmack.

“Dog’s bollocks!”
Guy replied without thinking.

This isn’t Darren! Darren doesn’t apologise!

“I know, I know!
It sounds like dog’s bollocks, but it isn’t. Guy, I want to keep our
relationship not tear it apart.”

Guy felt his icy
reserve slowly melting at a glacier’s pace.
I
can forgive, but can’t forget.

“What about your
wedding? Are you sure you want to marry Tamzin? Are you truly deeply in love
with her? Be honest.” Guy asked.

“Love...” Darren
chuckled. “Look, I’m marrying her for a reason. It may or may not be about
love, but I don’t turn back on my word. Let’s leave it at that.”

Guy felt his
stomach flip in disgust.
There’s nothing
I can do. It’s his fault when it all goes pear-shaped.

“I’m sorry.”
Darren repeated noticing the scowl on Guy’s face. Darren knew how much Guy
hated the cow. Guy couldn’t help it. Darren’s his little brother.

“Apology
accepted.” Guy finally said.
 
A smile
broke across Darren’s face.

“Let’s grab
another pint.” Guy said as he patted Darren on his back.

“It’s my round.”
Darren replied happily. They walked back into the pub to join the others.

♥

The Savoury Plum was a madhouse. The steady
stream of patron made Cat and Corrie fluster in stress. It caused much hair
pulling by Olivia, bearing the brunt of the twin’s aggravations. Today was
worse. The call to Grace made Cat and Corrie sound like bats in a belfry with
their assumptions and tirades.

           
“He
tainted Grace! I can’t believe Grace allowed Guy to... to... touch her!
Rumour Mill
said she’s been caught being
cheeky with him!” Cat howled.

           
Olivia
rolled her eyes. It’s only a small brief paragraph five pages into the paper
stating Guy and Grace been spotted walking to his car hand in hand. Nothing
more.

           
“Grace
should be flirting with Trevor! Not that crummy footie player. They’re
all
bad news.” Corrie chimed.

           
“Oh
hush, you two! You sound just as bad as my Nan. They’re only holding hands!
That’s nothing. By and by, steak and kidney pies are ready to go upstairs.”
Olivia huffed as she handed a pie to a server.

           
Although
the twin’s are her employers Olivia knew how to handle them.
Sometimes they need a swift kick up their
arse!
The women looked at Olivia as if insane. Olivia’s reaction prompted
Corrie to grab two more pies and hurry up the stairs whilst Cat checked on a
quiche baking in the oven.

           
Finally
after the lunch service died down, Cat and Corrie decided to have their lunch
at the Bird in Hand pub. The Bird in Hand normally cooked meals that the
Savoury Plum didn’t use on their menu. It gave them a chance to eat something
exotic and discuss Grace’s downfall without Olivia’s objection.

           
The
ladies collected their light fall jackets and handbags to march over to the
pub. When Cat and Corrie entered the Bird in Hand they were startled to see it
fully packed with men upon men. Cat and Corrie pushed pass their way through
the throng of footballers, local and strangers alike to reach the bar.

           
As
Corrie ordered two curries from the menu board and two shandies’, Cat scoured
the pub. Cat’s eyes blinked rapidly when she saw Guy sitting at a table
watching Sky sports with his teammates. She immediately recognised him with his
dark hair and tanned skin.
There’s no way
I can forget a sexy devil like him!
Before Corrie noticed, Cat marched
herself over to the table.

           
“You!
Up! Now!” Cat ordered pointing her finger directly at Guy. The lads all looked
at each other and laughed.

           
“Who’s
this?” Darren asked.

           
“Mind
your bloody pint!” Cat snapped at Darren.

Darren cowered in
submission.
This woman is a hellcat!

Guy put his hands
up. He knew Cat wasn’t going to give up until he went with her. Guy got up from
the table and the lads let him out of his corner.

“What’s this all
about ladies?” Guy questioned as Corrie joined Cat.

           
“Where
were you and Grace last night?” Cat demanded.

           
“What
business is it to you?” Guy asked. He didn’t mean to make it sound rude, but it
wasn’t their business.
Grace is a grown
woman!

           
“We
all know your type. You use women like notches on a belt and when the fun is
over you toss them aside. Grace isn’t like other girls.” Cat crowed.

           
Corrie
and Cat placed their hands on their hips. To Guy, Cat and Corrie’s face
resembled angry prunes. He knew they’re in a rage and he tried his best not to
laugh.

           
“Grace
is a woman. She’s not a little girl. She can take care of herself.” Guy
retorted.

The twin’s looked
at one another angrily. Guy was getting underneath their skin.

           
“This
morning I called Grace and she was whispering as if Grace didn’t want someone
to hear her conversation. I know you were in her suite. What were you doing
there?” Cat asked calmly.

           
“Grace
told you she was in the pantry.” Guy let slip.

           
As
soon as he said it, Guy felt his blood run cold. The women resembled two
hulking she-wolves out for the kill.

           
“I
knew it! You’re with her!
You bastard!
If you harmed a
single
hair on Grace I’ll
crush your cock with a meat tenderizer!” Cat screamed.

           
The
pub came to a full stop. Everyone watched Cat land a hard stinging slap on
Guy’s cheek. He brought his palm to his hot cheek and rubbed it. Corrie gasped
in shock.

           
“How
dare you! You’re mad. I think you better leave.” Guy warned.

           
“Let’s
go Cat. I think our tea is ready.” Corrie said pulling on Cats’ arm.

           
Cat
barged off and the pub went back to normal. Darren came over.

           
“What
the bloody hell was that?” Darren asked.

           
“You
don’t want to know.” Guy growled.

♥

The interview was over. Cameras and lights
were being put away as Grace breathed a sigh of relief.
Rumour Mill
journalist, Zoe Goodall, stood behind as the others
hurried out of the kitchen for their next interview with Tamzin. Zoe came up to
Grace.

           
“Can
I ask you a question?” Zoe asked.

           
Grace
shook her head no. She had enough of the questions regarding the cake and Libby
Blackwell. She tried to explain she knew nothing of the scandal and continued
on about the design, but they weren’t interested. They want the dirt and they
weren’t getting it from Grace.

           
“Please.
It’s off the record. It’s about your relationship with Guy Rowling.” Zoe
pleaded.

           
“What
do you mean?” Grace questioned.

           
“You
have no idea then? This morning you’re in our paper with Guy. Look here.” Zoe
replied showing Grace iPhone
Rumour Mill
app. On the screen was a picture of Guy and Grace holding hands beside his SUV.

           
“Is
it true that you’re having an affair?” Zoe asked.

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

           
“No...no.”
she stammered. “I’ve got to get back to work.”

           
Zoe
grinned cheekily.

           
“That’s
fine. I got my answer.” Zoe cooed leaving Grace on her own.

           
Grace
felt her Blackberry vibrate in her pocket. She fished her mobile out to see
several text messages from Guy explaining the incident in the pub. Grace felt
mortified. Her heart skipped a beat.
Have
they ruined my chances with Guy? What were they thinking?
Grace tried remaining
cool, but she was frustrated at the thought of her aunt Cat slapping Guy in the
pub.

           
Grace
texted an apology to Guy.
Please Guy! Accept
this apology.
Her stomach fluttered from nerves.
First the interview and now this drama!

           
A
few minutes later a text arrived from Guy. He explained that he’s fine and due
to the rehearsal dinner he’s unable to see her. Guy ended the text that he
couldn’t wait to see her tomorrow morning. He ended the text with a string of
kisses.

           
It
was a slight relief, but Grace was still worried.
I need to sort them out before they ruin the best thing that’s happened
to me.
Grace couldn’t wait to hurry back to the cottage. She wanted a cup
of PG tips and a hot bath. She desperately needed to relax.

           
“How
did it go Grace?” asked Trevor standing off to the side.

“Fine, Chef Hare.”
Grace said softly. She pulled her jacket off.