Delicious (A Rumour Mill Novel) (35 page)

           
“And
you don’t have to. I gave you my key. You can come here and stay with me forever
if you wish.” Guy replied.

           
She
stood silent for a moment. The offer sounded so good to her. She was still
unsure how he would react to the pregnancy.

           
“When
are you returning to London?” Guy asked.

           
“Tomorrow.
Alistair’s collecting me.” Grace said softly.

           
“Then
come to my flat. I’ll be in practice all day and I’ve got a game in the early
evening. I can be home sharp. Are you fine with that?” Guy replied.

           
“Yes.”
Grace answered. She looked around her bedroom once more. The talking comforted
her, but she felt out of place. Grace wanted to be there with Guy.

           
“Good.
Get what you can from your flat and I’ll see you tomorrow evening then.” Guy
replied.

           
“Thank
you Guy.” Grace said.

           
“Don’t
thank me. I love you.” Guy responded warmly.

           
Those
three little words made Grace feel as though a soft warm cashmere blanket been
thrown over her body. She knew he meant those words and she cherished it.

           
“I
love you, Guy. I can’t wait to see you tomorrow.” Grace said.

They ended the
conversation with a simple goodbye and another round of I love you. Grace went
back into bed and Guy fell back onto his pillow. The two both fell asleep peacefully
that night dreaming of tomorrow.

♥

he following morning Grace went downstairs
to the Savoury Plum. When Grace entered through the side door she saw Cat
pulling down chairs in preparation for the business day.

           
“Good
morning Grace.” Cat greeted. “Alistair’s here. He arrived early. He’s down at
the chicken farmer getting fresh eggs. It seems our delivery was missing at
least a few dozen eggs.”

           
Grace
went around the serving counter to make herself a pot of tea for her and Cat.
She saw some fresh chocolate stuffed croissants Olivia made and put a few on a
plate. She brought the plate and the pot of tea to where Cat was sitting looking
over the morning papers.

           
“Are
you ready to go back? You know you’re more than welcome to stay here. We can
hire more people for Delicious and it can run by itself.” Cat said pouring the
tea into her cup.

           
“No.
I’m ready. I’m looking forward to going back. It’s my business. I need to be
there instead of here.” Grace replied biting into a croissant.

           
“I
don’t understand the rush in going back. Is it because of Guy?
Rumour Mill
this morning said how Guy
was at Tamzin’s funeral flirting with some girlfriends.” Cat narrowed her eyes
on Grace.

           
“It’s
all lies Aunt Cat. I don’t understand why you believe everything that is
printed in
that
gossip rag.” Grace wasn’t
in the mood for this.

           
“I
don’t want you running back into the arms of trouble. He’s been nothing but
nuisance since stepping foot in here. I bet if it wasn’t for him you would’ve
never opened the business.” Cat replied aware that Grace wouldn’t like her
opinion.

           
Grace
wasn’t amused by Cat’s accusation. It was one thing to say she didn’t want Grace
running back to Guy. It was another to assume Grace didn’t have willpower to
move and open up her own business.

           
“Aunt
Cat, I opened my business because it’s a dream and goal. It has nothing to do
with Guy and it’ll stay that way. As for Guy, he’ll always be a part of my
life.” Grace said firmly.

Cat didn’t like
Grace’s tone. She grimaced in displeasure.

           
“What
do you mean he’ll always be part of your life? Why can’t you leave him alone?
He’s a footballer for God’s sake.” Cat questioned shrilly.

           
“What
difference will it make? You idolised Trevor and look what happened. You’d
rather me marry a psychotic man than one who loves me. His career has nothing
to do with who he is as a person. I can’t believe you’ve learned nothing about
Guy or me.” Grace was now snappy. She looked to the entryway hoping to see
Alistair pull up. She wanted to hurry back to London as soon as possible.

           
“Grace...”
Cat sniffed. She fumbled for the right words. Cat didn’t want to get into an
argument with Grace that leads to them not speaking.

           
“Aunt
Cat, Guy will always be a part of my life because I’m pregnant. We’re having a
baby.” Grace blurted out. She couldn’t hold back her secret any longer and felt
the quicker she told Cat, the quicker the pain would be over with.

Cat stunned, shook
her head in disbelief.

“Leave now.” Cat
said avoiding looking directly at Grace. Tears were in her eyes. She didn’t
want Grace to see her cry. “Go back to London and to
him
. You’ll never be happy.” Cat predicted.

           
“See,
that’s where the problem lies. No one wants us to be happy. Nobody’s happy for
us. We’re in love. Yet nosy-bodied people like Trevor, Tamzin, William, and you,
trying to determine our fate! Nobody can leave good alone. Be miserable and
alone! I never want to speak or hear from you again.” Grace said with a frosty air.
Cat wasn’t familiar with this side of Grace. Grace got up throwing her napkin
on the plate.

           
Alistair
pulled up and parked right in front of the Savoury Plum. He walked in with
three dozen eggs in hand. Grace took it from him and placed it on the counter.
He looked over to Cat to see her crying.

           
“What
happened?” Alistair asked.

           
“Nothing.
Let’s go.” Grace said without directing another word to her aunt.

♥

The drive back to London took longer than
expected. During the trip Grace told Alistair all. He sat in silence from
shock. Alistair knew how much Cat meant to Grace. For Grace to say she’d never
speak to her again was hard to comprehend. Alistair saw Grace’s frustration, he
decided it was best to change the subject.

           
“Your
car was delivered yesterday.” Alistair said. “DI Jones brought it to the house
in hopes of speaking with you. He wanted to see how you’re doing. He said case
is officially closed. You’re no longer in danger. Trevor’s death is deemed a
suicide.”

           
“I’m
going to trade the Mini in. I need something bigger.” Grace said. She wanted to
avoid the subject of Trevor.

Grace didn’t want
to think of
him
any further. Doctors
told Grace should the nightmares get out of hand she should seek a therapist.
Grace quickly shot the idea down. She knew that if she could have her time with
Guy it’d be better.
The nightmares will
go away.

           
“Bigger?
This is London, anything bigger it’s going to cost you a few bob.” Alistair
said.

           
“I
know. I need it. I don’t plan on staying in Tooting Bec. I’m thinking about
letting the flat out.” she said looking out the window as they drove along the
M4.

Alistair arched
his eyebrows.
She really doesn’t want to
go back to the flat
, he thought,
and
who could blame her?

“I was thinking of
letting it out to Sharon.” Grace added.

           
Grace
knew Sharon lived with a flatmate and it was a tad on the expensive side. Sharon
could afford Grace’s flat if Grace let it out for a reasonable rate.

           
“When
are you planning on leaving?” Alistair asked as he signalled to their exit.

           
“I
don’t know yet. I’m meeting Guy tonight to discuss. We’ve got to talk about
things and we’ll figure something out.” Grace replied softly.

           
They
arrived at the house. Grace felt her chest tightening. Panic settled in.
Alistair patted her hand as he drove the rental on the driveway and parked
right behind the Mini.

           
“No
one’s here except for us.” Alistair assured.

           
They
emerged from the Volkswagen.
 
Alistair
left her bags behind as Grace instructed. She had no intention of spending the
night. He opened the garden door and stepped foot inside.
          

           
“Where’s
Mrs. Tiddlywinks?” Grace asked. She expected a bark from the small Yorkie.

           
“Guy
kept her.” Alistair answered.

           
They
walked into the kitchen. Grace looked around. The memory came flooding back in
full force. Trevor with his sinister eyes, screaming at her about the whore she
is for sleeping with Guy.

Grace entered the
lounge.
There’s no evidence of the
shooting. Everything’s immaculate and in order.
It was as if Grace went on
holiday and returned to a clean, sparkling home. Grace tried shutting her eyes
to close her mind to the memory. Instead Grace saw Tamzin standing in front of
her with Darren standing by Grace’s side whilst Trevor waving the gun at their
direction.

“Grace...”
Alistair said. “Do you want to go up to my flat?” Alistair knew it was too soon
for her to come back to the flat.

“No. I want to get
out of here. I’m going to see Guy.” Grace said turning away from the lounge.

Alistair saw her
discomfort. Grace held her arms over her shoulders trying to protect herself. He
saw she had no intention of staying in the flat.
She’s better off at Guy’s flat.

“Call him and see
if you can go there now.” Alistair said.

Grace decided to
call and miraculously he answered. He was just getting dressed for the game.

“Guy, I’m on my
way to your flat. Is it ok with you?” Grace asked.

“Of course. Unless
you’d feel more comfortable attending a game.” Guy said. “I can get you into
box seats and you’ll have nothing to worry about. We can go home together right
after the game. Would you like that?”

“Yes.” she
replied.

“I’ll have my
driver collect you now.” Guy said.

Grace thanked him
and they hung up. She went to gather her things. It was then Grace realised it’s
probably the last time she’ll be in the flat. She smiled at the thought.
I’m going to start a new life with Guy as
long as he wants this baby.
Alistair helped Grace pack the things she’d
need and told her not to worry about anything else. He told her to figure it
out with Guy and then make any decisions later. Alistair gave her his blessing.

“You’ll be at my
wedding right?” Alistair asked, walking Grace outside to the SUV. Guy’s
security driver arrived.

“Of course! As much
as I hate weddings I wouldn’t miss yours for the world.” Grace said smiling.

Grace kissed her uncle
on his cheek and told him to give Philippe her love. Alistair watched Grace getting
into the SUV and pull away. He waved after her knowing it was the end to Grace
living in Tooting Bec.

♥

Paparazzi bombarded Guy’s Range Rover as it
approached the player’s entrance. They wondered who was inside the SUV as Guy
was with his team preparing for the game. Billy told Grace “Don’t worry. Ignore
them and don’t roll down the window.”

           
Grace
had no intentions of rolling down the window and drawing attention to herself.
Billy made sure he parked as close to the player’s entrance to get her inside
and up to the clubhouse to watch the game.

           
Guy
stood on the line with this other teammates. It was their second game of the
Premier season. The game was against Manchester City. He watched the box intensely
to see if Grace will show and just as
God
Save the Queen
came over the speaker, she appeared in the window. Guy
smiled up to her. When it was over he blew a kiss to her which she noticed and
waved back. It brought a wide happy grin to Grace’s face and the pundits were
wondering what that was all about or would it affect Guy’s game.

           
It
was the first time Grace watched him play. There were other WAG’s dressed in
designer clothes, drinking champagne and seated near her. They whispered to
each other knowing full well who Grace is. Grace thought they looked like cast
members and extras from
The Only Way is
Essex
. It was hard to ignore them especially since they were staring right
at her. Midway through the game, one of the wives who Grace didn’t know got up from
their seat and came over to her.

           
“You’re
Grace Knowles, right? Guy’s bird?” The brunette petite framed woman asked.

The brunette wore
a pair of red Helmut Lang skinny jeans with tight fitted women’s London Lions
t-shirt that accentuated her big fake breasts. She eased into the leather seat
next to Grace. The woman motioned to the waiter to bring over whatever Grace
was drinking and champagne for her.

           
“Yes
I am.” Grace replied “And you are?”

           
“My
name is Minnie. Minnie Collins, I’m married to Owen Collins, the captain of the
team. He’s retiring this year. You and I’ve met at Darren ’s wedding.” Minnie
said extending her hand to shake Grace’s. Grace shook Minnie’s hand. She didn’t
remember meeting Minnie at the wedding. The waiter returned with their drinks. Minnie
handed Grace a glass of J2O.

           
“I
came over to welcome you to the team and to say we’re thankful for you. As much
as we understand all the trauma and tragedy you’ve suffered, we’re thankful Tamzin’s
officially out of our hair.” Minnie said.

“You ‘re welcome
here and we love someone who is down to earth, respectable and goal oriented. Tamzin
was never those things. She gave us all a reputation that’s hard to shake.”
Minnie looked over to the other two ladies and smiled. They, too, nodded their
head in agreement.

           
“Wow.
I really don’t know what to say. It was neither my intention nor wished death
on Tamzin.” Grace said. “Frankly it’s a position that nobody would want to be
in including yourselves.”

           
Grace’s
tone sharp as Minnie’s tactic, it was a clear point made. Minnie agreed
half-hearted. Minnie pulled a business card with her details on it from her
purse. Delicately Minnie handed the embossed card over to Grace.