Delicious (A Rumour Mill Novel) (4 page)

           
Trevor
looked Grace up and down.
She’s a pretty
little thing and if I wasn’t in such a foul mood.
Instead, Trevor bit his
lip and sneered with disgust.

           
“Are
you serious? Is that the best you can do? A short-order cook from some pub?”
Trevor grumbled with annoyance.

           
Graces’
blood boil and she snapped. She wasn’t having any of it. She knew how hard Guy
searched for a baker. Now Trevor was insulting her.

           
“Chef
Hare, with all due respect, I’m not some short-order cook! I come from a long
line of culinary chefs. My father was Chef Gordon Knowles. He was a teacher at
the London Culinary Academy before opening his own restaurant in Covent Garden.
I’ve worked hard to gain excellent reviews on my desserts and pastries. I’m born
to be a pastry chef!” Grace was short and cross with his reaction. She saw him
take a step back made him take notice of her.

           
Trevor
was blown by Grace’s sassy reply and stunned by her lineage.
She’s a bit more interesting
.

           
“Come
in then.” Trevor sneered. He held the door open to let them in.

           
They
walked up a few steps into the grand kitchen. It was a hive of activity. There
were busboys running to and fro, chefs cooking meals, whilst others made appetizers
for wedding day. People shouted orders and sounds of sizzling, cracking along
with delicious smells permeated through the kitchen.
          

“This is the hub.
Here you’ll concoct the wedding cake of the century. You’ll have my full
attention and the help of my staff. I pray you pull this off within the time constraint.”
Trevor said extending his arms out.

           
Grace
felt overwhelmed. For a brief second, Grace felt like backing out. Guy noticed.
Guy took her hand and squeezed softly reassuringly. The touch was unexpected,
but warm and inviting.
When was the last
time a man held my hand?
Grace knew the answer to that and she didn’t
consider Ian a man.

           
“You’ll
be fine.” Guy whispered. He was close to her ear and she could feel his warm
breath along her neck. It sent shivers up and down her spine.

           
“Mr.
Hare, I’ll leave Grace with you. I have to get her a suite for the next few
days. I hope she’s in good hands with you.” Guy said turning his body to
Trevor.

           
Trevor
nodded, waving him away as if Guy was dismissed.
 
Grace felt his hand leave hers.
It’s cold and empty.
She wanted it back.
Guy gave her a friendly smile.

           
“I’ll
be back.” Guy promised. Grace watched Guy walking away and wondered
what has he gotten me into?

♥

Guy walked across the foyer to the
reception area. He heard the familiar sounds of stiletto heels clicking and
clacking against the Italian marble floors. The sound approached him from
behind. A thin bony hand touched his shoulder. Guy turned. He came face to face
with Tamzin.

Tamzin was dressed
to the nines. She was wearing a low cut Dolce and Gabbana silver lame mini
dress. Her long platinum blonde hair was straight as a pin and styled in a side
ponytail. Recently Tamzin had a fake-bake tan applied so Guy though she
resembled a heavily made-up Satsuma. Her icy grey eyes focused on Guy and she
smiled wickedly.

Gemma Wharton,
standing next to Tamzin, was another W.A.G. wannabe. Gemma recently broke up
with rival Tottenham Heat football player, Darius Bishop. Gemma eyes were set
on her next male prey, Guy. Tamzin assured her Guy Rowling is perfect.

Gemma didn’t
impress Guy. Gemma was a tall waif thin model with fake breasts that resembled
Christmas baubles. She never wore a bra, showing off permanent, erect nipples.
Gemma mimicked Tamzin. She had the same long blonde hair which was
predominantly extensions. Gemma’s skin looked orange from her fake tan and brilliant,
white veneers covered her crooked jagged teeth. Guy didn’t like her long,
pointy nose and small, beady blue eyes. She looked hungry and forlorn. Guy
thought she needed a good Sunday roast and to lighten up on her emotions.

“Have you come
back with a cake?” Tamzin asked straight to the point.

“No, Tam. I’ve
come back with something better. A pastry chef who will be working with Mr.
Hare on your cake.” replied Guy as he continued to walk towards the reception
desk. Tamzin and Gemma walked alongside him.

“A pastry chef?
That’s what you call the best you can do? I asked for a cake, not a chef! As
you recall Darren shagged the last one!” she hissed. Guy turned back to Tamzin.
He threw her a fiery look.

“I know full well
what happened. To be frank, this is your bloody job Tamzin, not mine! I’m not
your fucking lap dog. I only did it as a friend.” Guy snapped harshly. He was
irate and wanted to hurry back to Grace so they can have dinner together.

As Tamzin spoke
with Guy, Gemma stared at her shellac French manicure nails. Tamzin wasn’t
impressed by Guy’s reply.

“That’s what
friends do, Guy. Small favours for each other. You’re Darren’s friend, constant
alibi and his partner in crime. So, I do expect you to do anything he can’t do
or isn’t willing to do.” Tamzin retorted coolly. “Matters aside, have you met
my friend Gemma Wharton?”

Tamzin pulled
Gemma close to her. Gemma extended her hand which Guy politely shook. Fact of
the matter, it wasn’t the first time Guy and Grace met. They met various times
in various nightclubs which they frequented. Each time introduced, Gemma was
high on drugs, drunk or just aloof.

“Gemma’s mending a
broken heart after that cruel Darius cheated on her with
that
slag. I said to Gemma that you’d be a perfect gentleman. Maybe
you can go out on a date. I think you two will make a great couple.” Tamzin
mewled.

“After the party
in the library, I’m available.” Gemma said. Her voice was barely above a
whisper. Guy struggled to hear her.

“Tamzin, I’ve got
to attend to business. I’ll see you later.” Guy replied as soon as the
reception manager emerged from the back office.

“See you soon.” Tamzin
said.

Tamzin and Gemma
walked to the library for cigars and drinks with her other guests.

♥

Guy reserved Grace a private guest cottage
at the bottom of the north lawn of the hall. It was the last one remaining. He
couldn’t get her a suite within the hall as it was fully booked. Guy paid for
the expensive cottage with his black Amex. He didn’t need the headache of
Tamzin or Darren complaining about cost.

As Guy signed
documents to settle the reservation, Darren appeared alongside him. Darren was
dressed in a smoking jacket with a cigar hanging from his lips and clutching
two shot glasses in his hand.

           
“Where
the hell you’ve been all day? Are you coming to the library mate?” Darren said
putting the glasses down onto the reception desk. He pulled the cigar out of
his mouth.

           
“I
was doing business for you.” Guy answered curt.
It still amazes me that we are from the same gene pool.

           
Unlike
Guy, Darren suffered from an arrogant complex.
 
It was made worse as he was voted world’s
sexiest footballer 2012. Darren’s cocky, arrogant and reckless. Although
slightly shorter than Guy, Darren tanned and shaved his natural blonde locks to
a short nearly bald haircut. Darren pulled off a confident persona for his lack
of social skills and rude persona.

On pitch, Darren
was
the
best player. His skills
matched Rooney or Beckham and often went above those skills. Although he was a
great player, Darren had vices. He couldn’t wait for the game to be over with to
shower, change and hit the nightclubs in search of the next big thing. Until
the wee hours of the morning Darren loved hanging with models, drink and party.
More often than not, Darren’s antics were front-page fodder on all tabloids
especially
Rumour Mill
.

           
“Ah,
come on mate! Let’s have some fun! Fuck the cake! You know how Tam is and I got
something special to make up for it.” Darren joked as he wrapped one arm around
Guy’s shoulder. Darren handed off a shot glass filled with Sambuca to Guy.

           
Accompanying
Darren were London Lion team members. They laughed at Guys’ expense. They knew
Tamzin well, all too well perhaps. Before Tamzin sank her teeth into Darren,
Tamzin slept with most of the team or provided them with a blow-job. Guy, fully
aware of her tricks, kept his distance. Guy swallowed the liquorice flavoured
alcohol. The warmth sting filled his belly and Guy shook it off.

           
“Meet
us in the library in fifteen minutes. Come on, lads!” Darren roared. He gave
Guy a final pat on his back. Guy shrugged his shoulders in disgust.

           
Guy
watched his team leave as he placed his shot glass on the counter. With a frown
the manager took the glass shaking his head with disgust. Guy felt the same
way. He knew his team and Darren were up to no good. Guy headed back to the
kitchen with no intentions of going to the library afterward.

♥

Guy entered the kitchen. He saw Grace
engaged in conversation with Trevor. Not wanting to interrupt, he politely
asked a sous-chef if he could reheat the pizza and whip them up a salad to
share. The sous-chef obliged and took the pizza box that was sitting on a
nearby stainless steel counter.

Guy sat on a stool
watching Grace as she moved her hands about like two flitting birds. Grace made
animated expressions regarding the height of the cake and as she did, Guy
wondered how Grace’s hands would feel like brushing up against his nude chest.
He wanted them to explore every inch of him and travel further down, past his
navel into his trousers.

           
Trevor
nodded in agreement at something Grace said. Guy continued watching with
intense scrutiny. Grace was contrary to the girls he knew, Tamzin the tyrant
and Gemma the flake. He loved the fact that Grace didn’t fawn over him like any
other girl chasing a rich footballer husband to be. Their only interests were
the million pound contracts their future husbands will provide. As advertisers came
to Guy asking him to promote their sports drinks, clothing lines and what not,
Guy decided it was high-time to steer away from
those
women. Grace seemed not to care and he knew that she didn’t
have a clue as to who he is.

           
Finally
Grace finished her conversation with Trevor. She saw Guy waiting patiently.
Grace joined Guy for dinner.
 
Placed in front
of Guy and Grace was the hot pizza, a salad and a bottle of chilled Chardonnay.
Guy poured her a glass of wine.

           
“Is
he satisfied with you?” Guy asked. He needed to know as he really didn’t want
to go out searching for another baker.

           
“I
pray so. He said that I know what I’m talking about, but he has his concerns
about pulling it off.”

           
Grace
took a bite of her pizza and sip of wine. She realised she was starving and
feeling a bit ravenous. Throughout the meal Guy and Grace discussed the wedding
in more detail. Trevor gave her two junior chefs who were interested in pastry.
Grace was grateful for the extra help and she explained to Guy that Trevor
promised to lend a hand as needed.

           
“I
reserved a private cottage for you. I thought you might want to be away from the
hall and Tamzin. She’s trouble and you must concentrate on the cake.” Guy said.

           
Grace
yawned absent minded. She was exhausted after a long work day. Grace was
desperate for the comfort of a warm soft bed. Guy noticed.

           
“I’m
sorry. Thank you for the cottage.” Grace apologised.

           
“It’s
ok. Let me take you there now.” Guy replied.

           
They
finished their meal. Grace said goodbye to Trevor. She promised him she’d see
him in the early morning hours. Guy helped Grace into the Range Rover. When Guy
arrived at the cottage, Grace was sleeping soundly. Guy got out, unlocked the
cottage door with the key, and turned on some lights to find his way through
the cottage. He retrieved Grace from her seat and brought her into the bedroom.
There he rested her down on the bed as softly as possible. She stirred a
little, but not enough to be woken.

She’s a beauty
! He thought smiling. Guy
pushed some of her caramel hair from her forehead. He turned off the nightstand
light and retreated to the kitchen. There he wrote a note stating that he’ll
see her tomorrow for lunch and left a makeshift map of the trails leading to
the hall kitchen along with a torch.
 
Before he left, Guy turned lights off in the
kitchen and the living area. He closed the cottage door softly behind him.