Delicious (A Rumour Mill Novel) (3 page)

Grace could barely
breathe or utter a response. Somehow Grace managed to breathily reply “See you
soon.” And she closed the door behind him. She pulled down the shade and turned
to walk to the flat only to see two very cross aunts standing right behind her.

♥

“I can’t believe it! You’ve taken the
bloody job without consulting one of us and it’s such a huge task!” said Cat
not disguising her anger. She didn’t like this one bit.

           
“I
took it. I’m doing it for me not the Plum. I’m going to start my business and
what better way to start it with a celebrity wedding.”Grace stated. She was annoyed
by their reaction. They all stormed up the stairs like a herd of angry cattle.

           
“You’re
going to Worthington Hall by yourself and staying there? Why couldn’t you bake the
cake here?”Corrie implored.

           
“He’ll
rape you. I read about them football lads. They have cocaine fuelled orgies on
stag-do and major celebratory wins. No good will comes of this.” Cat predicted
as they entered the flat.

           
Grace’s
mouth went agape. She felt the colour draining from her face.
What did they know about drugs, orgies and
men?
They read way too many gossip
rags and tabloids.
I’m going to have
to speak to Mrs. Penny at the Spar to cancel their subscription.

           
“It’s
true! They’ll probably grab you whilst you’re putting the cake in the bloody
oven and bend you over a butcher block...” Corrie cried.

In revulsion Corrie
put her hands on her cheeks. Grace recoiled in repulsion. The women’s hearts
were palpitating hard. Cat thought she’d go into cardiac arrest at the thought
of Grace being harmed.

           
“
Stop it! Stop it now!
There will be no butcher block orgies. This
is simply business!
” Grace shouted.

           
“I
know you’re trying to protect me, but I’m twenty-five years old. When I return,
we’ll have a long chat about my future.” Grace added softly.

           
Before
sulking off to the kitchen, Cat and Corrie looked at Grace with teary eyes.
Grace went off to her bedroom to pack her belongings. As the twins made their tea,
they moved about the kitchen whispering of possibilities of the worst happening.
They were concerned for their niece whom they raised as a daughter.

♥

race looked at her bedroom. The pale pink
walls were covered in old posters of boy-bands like
Boy-Zone
and
Take-That
. Her
bedroom need updating, but exhaustion from working made it impossible. Grace
was glad to be gone for four days.

There were times
Grace lain in her bed feeling suffocated by her life. It’s a fluke Guy arrived on
her doorstep.
Maybe, it’s God’s way of
telling me to get off my arse and do something with my life.
It seemed like
such an unusual message but Grace felt it to be true. She needed to stop living
for family and live for her. Grace allowed her aunts to coddle her and treat
her like a child.
It should’ve ended many
years ago.
Grace rushed around her room, packing her belongings into a pink
travel bag. Grace hope Guy wouldn’t think of it as childish.

           
When
Grace finished packing, she emerged with her travel bag. Her aunts waited by
the door ready to hound Grace further with horrid tales. Corrie grabbed Grace
and hugged her tight.

           
“Remember
be cautious. Any problems, call on the mobile and we’ll be right there.” Corrie
said. Grace rolled her eyes.

           
“Yes,
we will be there. If this man tries to make a move on you, we’ll sort him out!”
Cat said stern.

           
“It’s
only a wedding!” Grace retorted.

           
The
older Grace aged, the dramatics increased by tenfold. Grace recalled her first
and
last boyfriend, Ian Heeley. They met
in Upper School. After weeks of dating Ian wanted to take Grace to Glastonbury
music festival. Ian met with Cat and Corrie to ask their permission for Grace
to go to the festival. The meeting was a nightmare and a teenage cry fest for
weeks.

           
Unbeknownst
to Grace, Cat managed to borrow a farmer’s rifle that Cat was dating at the
time. Ian arrived and sat down on the couch for a cup of tea. Cat emerged rifle
in tow and huffed on about Ian’s intentions with sweet, innocent, Grace. Grace
never saw such a sight as Ian bolted like a startled deer being hunted. She
never saw Ian again. Grace thought she’d never forgive Cat and Corrie. As time
went by, she slowly did.

           
Since
then Grace didn’t date anyone. She decided it best to wait for her own place to
make male friends. Grace settled on reading romance novels, envisioning when
she would fall in love with her fantasy man, make passionate love and get
married. She imagined a man like Guy and tonight the reality is far better than
the fantasy.

           
They
said their goodbyes and walked Grace downstairs to back door. Her aunts’ waved
at Grace as they watched her walk across the road to the Bird in Hand pub.

           
Grace
entered the pub. She immediately noticed a crowd of blokes surrounding a table.
They were roaring with laughter. Finally a bloke moved to retrieve another pint
revealing Guy to Grace. He was sitting at the table, entertaining them with
football stories, antics, autographs and pictures. The pub landlady waved at
Grace handing her fizzy lemonade with a slice of lemon. Grace thanked her and
walked over to the table. Her eyes twinkled with delight as she saw Guy in his
element.
He truly is a lad’s lad.
 

Smiling, Guy
looked up to Grace. He patted the seat beside him. Grace took her time and Guy
wondered if she ran off with cheque. Before Grace sat down one of the lads’
stopped her.

“Can you please
take a picture of all of us love?” asked the bloke handing his iPhone over to
Grace.

Grace nodded. The
blokes went behind Guy to pose for the picture. Grace snapped the picture. The
lads’ thanked Grace for the picture and thanked Guy for drinks. They dispersed
leaving Grace to take her seat next to him.

“Do you have
everything?” Guy asked noticing the travel bag.

“Yes. I think I
have what I need.” she replied.

“Would you like to
have dinner?” Guy asked.

In hunger Guy’s
stomach growled loudly. Grace raised her eyebrows.
 
Guy looked over the chalkboard menu behind
Grace.

“It’s late. The
kitchen here is closed. The cook won’t make a meal, not even for a popular
footballer like you.” Grace replied. His stomach made another loud rumble. “I
know of another place for great pizza.” she added.

“Pizza sounds good.
Ready to go?” Guy asked. He finished the last of his pint.

“I’m ready.” Grace
said getting up.

Guy jumped to his
feet and grabbed Grace’s travel bag. He waved off the staff and the crowd. Guy
and Grace said goodnight to the pub landlady.

“I parked over
there.” Guy pointed out as they stepped out onto the street in the cool, crisp
night air.

Grace followed him
to the black Range Rover. Guy turned off the alarm and tossed Graces’ bag into
the boot. He held the passenger door open for Grace.
It’s rare nowadays for a man to be chivalrous,
she thought.

“After you, my
lady. Your chariot waits.” Guy joked as he bent forward with his arm cupped
underneath.

Grace laughed and
climbed into the passenger seat. Guy went around the Range Rover and got into
the driver’s seat. He started the SUV and followed Graces’ instructions to the
Three Trees. The restaurant tucked in front of the Ivy-upon-Wye stone bridge
crossing. The bridge was one of the three entrances and exit to Ivy-upon-Wye.

Whilst Guy went in
the restaurant to place his order Grace stood in the vehicle. A few minutes
later he came out to sit with Grace
 
and
wait for the order.

“How long have you
lived in Ivy?” asked Guy. He flicked on his iPod to play some tunes through the
speaker.

“I lived here all
my life.” Grace replied. Grace focused her attention to outside the windshield.
She watched couple entering and leaving The Three Trees.

“Have you
travelled elsewhere?” Guy inquired.

Grace turned to
Guy to see him staring directly at her. She felt the intensity of Guy’s gaze.
Grace swore there was desire and intent behind them. Her aunts’ words came back
to haunt Grace. Grace shook her head.
Just
because he’s handsome doesn’t mean he’s nice.
Guy noticed.

“Are you ok?” he
asked.
She’s flustered and out of sorts,
why is Grace shy around me now?
It was on the tip of his tongue to ask, but
decided best to leave it short and simple.

“I’m fine. No. I haven’t
travelled outside of Ivy. The only exception is Hereford and Cardiff.” Grace
replied with a smile.

Guy focused on his
iPod. He turned on a Sean Tyas set downloaded from BBC Radio One. Grace
shivered. Guy assumed she felt cold and twisted the knob for heat. The blast of
the warm air from the vents wafted the scent of Guy’s Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male
cologne.

Grace immediately recognised
Guy’s scent. She loved the smell of mint, lavender and vanilla. It made her
want to straddle Guy like a proper loved-up school girl. Grace wanted to kiss
him whilst gyrating herself against his stiffened cock as Guy tugged gently on her
caramel hair. She’d allow him to nibble her neck.

The laughter of nearby
patrons broke the revere bringing Grace back down to Earth. She restrained
herself. Grace didn’t know Guy felt the same. When he first laid eyes on Grace,
Guy thought she was an angel that fell in his palms. He wasn’t leaving without
her mobile number even if she couldn’t make a wedding cake or if those bullish
women tried stopping him.

During the drive Guy
imagined parking in a secluded area along the river. He wanted her in the back
seat.
There’s plenty of room to kiss her.
Guy would pull off her top and jeans, in hopes of finding pretty white knickers
underneath. Guy shifted in his seat to focus his attention on hunger. He didn’t
want Grace to see his pronounced arousal.

“Do you plan on
staying in Ivy for the rest of your life?” he asked. Guy looked around to see
if they were bringing his meal.

“No. This winter I
plan on moving to London. I’m opening a bakery called Delicious. The restaurant
my father owned closed down and it was turned into a fashion shop. The lease is
nearing renewal and the owners aren’t interested in renewing.” replied Grace.

Grace’s response
surprised Guy. Grace wasn’t like any girl. Most girls Guy dated were only
interested in drinking, partying, fashion and spending money on jewellery.
Grace has goals.

The determination
in Grace’s voice, made Guy believe that she’ll achieve her goals.
She’s the classic girl next door and a rare,
natural beauty. She’s intelligent with great looks.
If it wasn’t for the
fact that she was only in his Range Rover for a wedding cake, Guy would’ve
asked Grace out on a proper date to some five star restaurant in London. Over a
meal Guy wanted to hear Grace talk some more and get to know every little
detail about her. Sadly he couldn’t say the same for himself. Guy was forced to
keep some secrets to himself.

As Grace continued
to talk Guy noticed how she smelled of warm cinnamon and sweet vanilla.
She’ll taste delicious when I kiss Grace in
all her forbidden places
, he smirked wickedly. Guy prayed for the pizza to
be ready soon. He wanted to hurry back to Worthington Hall without ravishing
her.

“Where are your
parents? Who are those two women who seem to be protecting you?” Guy asked.

“They’re my aunts.
They raised me since I was a little girl. When I was three years old my parents
died. They were killed in accident.” Grace murmured softly.

Guy inhaled sharp.
He hadn’t expected her to say that and he felt sorry.
Such a pity. Poor girl.
All the dirty images swimming in his mind
completely vanished.

“I’m sorry. I
shouldn’t be asking you personal questions.”

Grace saw Guy conflicted.
She placed her soft hands on his arm to assure him it was ok. Guy felt the
hairs on his arm rise. The touch felt natural. It was as if there was an
unspoken, natural connection between them.

Maybe getting a cake for the bitch wasn’t entirely that bad
, Guy thought.
After all, I’m
sitting here next to this gorgeous girl
.

“No worries. It was
a long time ago. I don’t remember my parents. My aunts created dozens of
scrapbooks for me to look at and think of them.” she smiled. Guy relaxed.

There was a knock
on the drivers’ side of the window. It was a staff member with a piping hot pizza
box. Guy rolled the window down to take the pizza. He paid the staff member.

“Let’s go to
Worthington Hall. I hope you’re prepared.” Guy crooned.

Grace felt
butterflies in her stomach. She shook her head laughing nervously as Guy
started the Range Rover to drive off.

♥

Worthington Hall, a monumental Georgian
manor named after the late Lord Worthington and his family. As they waited for
the automatic gates to open, the hall loomed before Guy and Grace in all its
glory.
 
Many years ago the manor been converted
to a hotel and function hall. The family no longer could afford the upkeep of
the hall. They agreed in turning the property into a business as it would
suffice its’ maintenance.

           
The
perimeter of its long gravel driveway lit up with large candle lanterns. All
the landscaping lights faced the tall oak trees, English gardens and rose
bushes. Landscaping lights shone on their limestone walls and highlighted
English Ivy that seemed to take over a part of the manor. As late as it was,
people ran across lush emerald green lawns. They were taking pictures,
drinking, laughing, and overall having a good time. It was a festival like
atmosphere. Grace gasped when she saw her favourite actress from
EastEnders
run pass the Range Rover.

           
Guy
followed the driveway around the back instead of the main entrance. Guy thought
it best to introduce Grace to Chef Hare immediately. The Range Rover came to a
full stop and they got out. Guy went to the service entrance door with Grace.

As soon as his
finger lifted off of the door bell, the door swung open. Graces’ mouth dropped
open in shock. Here, in front of Graces’ eyes stood the tall brilliantly
talented, Trevor Hare. He looked like a hybrid of Gordon Ramsey and Jamie
Oliver. Now that she was standing in front of a world class chef and one that
she respected, Grace couldn’t utter hello.

           
“Where
the hell have you been? Tamzin’s been looking all over for you. She’s been in
and out of the kitchen bothering all of us. Finally I’ve got five minutes of peace
to come out to have a smoke. She’s driving us mad.” Trevor growled. “Who the
fuck is this?” he added waving his hand towards Grace.

           
“Mr.
Hare, my apologies. I found a baker. Let me introduce you to Grace Ann Knowles.
She works for the Savoury Plum in Ivy-upon-Wye.” Guy introduced.