Delicious (A Rumour Mill Novel) (6 page)

           
“The
chef,
what’s her face?!”
Tamzin
snarled.

           
The
lads scurried away like frighten mice. They left Guy to fight his own battle.

           
“She’d
better not sleep with Darren before my day.” she huffed as she thrusted the
beer bottle back into Guy’s hand.

           
“Tamzin,
I’m done with you. I did you a favour. You should be grateful instead of being
a bitter, arrogant, slag...” Guy angrily spat, but his sentence was cut off by
Tamzin’s father’s approach.

           
“What’s
the problem, princess?” William asked. He peered through his thick eye glasses
at Guy.
He’s trying to intimidate me
,
but Guy held steadfast.
No man will break
me.

           
William,
a hulking broody man exuded dominance. Feared up and down the coasts of the
U.K., William was known to make someone disappear due business ventures going
sour, gambling debts or overall, if he didn’t like you. There’s never a dead
body to recover. After a few months of heat from the police, the case would
turn cold or never discussed in the media again.

           
“Nothing
daddy.” Tamzin cooed syrupy. Tamzin placed a hand on her father’s shoulder to
kiss William softly on his cheek, whilst keeping her eye on Guy. William smiled
and hugged his princess. He blinked his eyes and Guy thought they looked like
eyes of a large-eyed goldfish. Darren came up behind Guy to see what was going
on.

           
“I’ll
see you tonight.” William coughed. He nodded in Guy’s direction. “Let’s go
darling. Your mother wants a word regarding the flower arrangements.”

           
Tamzin
threw Guy an icy glare as she sauntered off on her father’s arm.

           
“Darren,
you need to deal with your wife.” Guy snapped as he turned to his brother.
Darren’s eyes went wide.

           
“What’s
it now? When will you give this matter a rest?” Darren replied.

           
“When
you grow up and learn to keep your cock in your pants. Let me be and deal with
Tamzin on your own or I’ll head back to London tonight.” Guy threatened
forcefully. Darren knew Guy meant it.

           
“Don’t
go. Just ignore her.” Darren replied sheepishly. Guy stormed off.

♥

Glad to get away, Guy walked to the kitchen
to see if Grace was available for lunch. Guy thought about the way she looked
when he first laid eyes on her. Guy swore he felt an instant connection spark between
the two of them.
She surely makes my
heart skip beats. It’s been a long time since I felt this way about any women.
It feels good.

           
Grace
was at her work station. When Guy approached, she was putting away a few mixing
bowls. Grace looked up to see him and she was pleased. Guy’s dark eyes had a
devilish glint to them and Grace knew he was up to something.
Phwoar! He looks hot in his dark denim jeans
and St. Georges’ t-shirt!

           
“How’s
your day so far?” Guy asked politely. He came up beside her. Grace could feel
the wide gap between them lessen. She could smell his cologne. It made her
giddy and weak.

           
“It’s
going well. The cakes are cooling, the fondant is made and we’re working on
intricate flowers. There’s so much to do but Chef Hare provided help. I’m
beginning to think I can do this. Thanks for giving me this opportunity.” Grace
replied.

           
Guy
placed his palm on the small of Grace’s back pulling at her apron strings to
remove it. Grace felt a nervous flutter in her stomach. His move delighted her.

           
“I
was wondering if you’re available for lunch. I have a lovely picnic basket made
especially for us. I thought you might like a bit of fresh air and good
company.”

           
Grace
brought her eyes up to his.
I want this...I
want him...

           
“Yes.
I’d love to. I’m done for the day.” Grace responded.

           
“Good.
Now we have plenty of time to get to know each other. Are you ready?” Guy
asked.

Immediately Trevor
noticed Guy and Grace together as he walked into the kitchen.
He’s standing to close to her.
Her body is turned to him and she’s enjoying
whatever the hell he is telling her.

Trevor wasn’t
going to let Guy piss all over his bird.
Grace
is mine. Not his!
After last night’s meeting and spending most of the day
with her Trevor found his new conquest.

“Everything ok
here?” Trevor asked.

“Yes. Everything’s
fine. I’m done for today. I’ll be back tomorrow morning. Is it fine by you?”
Grace replied.

Trevor didn’t want
Grace leaving him. Guy hovered over Grace like a swarm of bees over the finest
flower. Trevor wanted more time. Grace has talent which some of his junior
chefs’ lack and he liked her spirit.
She isn’t
afraid to speak her mind.
Trevor stared cold-heartedly Guy. He wondered
what Guy wanted with Grace. Trevor knew of footballers and their infamous
actions.
I don’t want him tainting my
Grace,
Trevor thought bitterly.

“It’s fine by me.”
Trevor said with a heavy sigh. “Have fun. Enjoy the rest of your afternoon.” he
added. Trevor noted the picnic basket an in-house chef brought to Guy.

Guy and Grace said
goodbye. They rushed out the kitchen, out to the parking lot. Grace insisted on
going back to the cottage to change her clothing, but Guy told her not to. It’s
only a picnic and in his mind time with her was precious, not to waste. Guy
promised to have Grace back at the cottage early to shower and change. Grace
sat patiently in the passenger seat as Guy placed the picnic basket in the boot.

Soon they were
off. They drove along the winding narrow Welsh roads peppered with large trees
in all their autumn glory. The trees were in a variety of colours, bronze,
copper and citrine. Leaves fell gracefully on the sides of the road. Grace
directed Guy to a narrow road leading down to the bank of the river Wye.

“It’s beautiful
here.” Guy commented. He placed his Range Rover in park.

“It’s one of my
favourite places. After a hard day of work, I come here to relax or to swim.”
Grace said as they got out of the vehicle.

An Indian summer made
its way through the valley. Grace felt the warm sun. Deep down she wished Guy
let her change in a more comfortable outfit. Guy laid out a London Lions
blanket for the picnic area. Grace sat on the blanket and opened the basket. She
pulled out delicious fresh fruits such as grapes, strawberries and apples.
There were two brie and ham sandwiches on ciabatta bread, slices of dark
chocolate cake and some bottles of sparkling water. It was a feast to behold.

“Wow! When did you
do this? Grace asked in surprise.

“I had some of the
staff put it together. You deserve it. You helped me out.” Guy said smiling.
Grace handed him a plate filled with fruits and a sandwich.

“Thank you so
much. I’m starving.” Grace said.

“Thank you for the
plate.”

They ate their
meal in awkward silence. After a few bites Guy decided it’s time to get to know
her better.
I hope she doesn’t think this
is an interrogation.

“Grace, tell me what’s
life like for you?”

Grace bit into her
sandwich, chewing in thought.
How am I to
tell him that I’m just a boring, inexperienced girl unlike him?

“There really is
nothing to tell. I’m just a girl who grew up in Ivy and I’m looking to get out.”
Grace replied. Even though she liked the fact Guy wanted to get to know her
better Grace was curious about him. “My question is what does a famous footballer
want with a girl like me?”

Guy raised his
eyebrow.
She’s a spitfire.
The
question was a bit forward, but it showed Grace’s determination in breaking the
mould her aunts created of her.

Grace wanted an
honest answer and what a better way to get an answer by asking a direct
question. Grace felt a stirring of doubt that Guy might be interested in her
for one thing only, sex.
There’s a
possibility I’ll be a notch on his bedpost. I don’t want that
...she
concluded in her mind.

“So what if I’m
footballer. Does it mean that I have to go with girls who only chase
footballers?
 
As a child, I wanted to be
a fire-fighter, but my father didn’t want it for me. He said he didn’t want a
commoner’s job for his sons. For many years, my father was a coal miner. Then
an accident rendered him disabled.

We grew up in a
gritty grim area of Yorkshire. Our home was a small two up and two down row
house. Whilst my dad stayed home with us children my mum went to work in a
chip-shop. With the few quid mum earned and dole money from dad, my father
placed us into football.

My brother,
Gareth, didn’t want to be a footballer. Gareth learned that our father had an
affair with a neighbour resulting in Darren’s birth.
 
His mum put down Dowling as the surname on the
birth certificate because she wanted a combination of her surname and my dad’s.

Father and
Gareth’s relationship changed for the worse. Gareth quit football and began
selling drugs. Gareth’s interest was making quick money, stealing, partying and
getting high.

It wasn’t until
Darren fell ill that we learned the truth. Darren’s mum knocked on our door.
She demanded to see our father. She told mum the truth about the affair. Gareth
was angry. Shortly after Gareth’s eighteenth birthday Gareth died of a drug
overdose.

Darren, on the
other hand, was well taken care by dad and by his mum. During school we played
on the same football team even after we graduated and moved into the leagues.”

Grace was struck
by Guy’s honesty. She hadn’t expected Guy to be forthcoming with his past, but Guy
reassured Grace it’s ok by touching her cheek.

Guy felt by
telling Grace the story of his home-life prior to the glitz, glamour and money
that football fame bought, she’ll feel more comfortable around him.

“I’m telling you
this because I’ve never told anyone about my family life. Our history is dark,
bleak and grim. There’s a lot the media isn’t aware of and I trust you. From
the moment we met, Grace, I knew you weren’t just any girl. You’re the girl I
want to know more about and possibly go forth from here.” Guy said. His voice
never wavered and it was stern. He sounded like a man who wasn’t willing to
give up on what he wanted. He leaned into Grace’s body, scooting close to her.
It excited Grace to no end to know of this.
Guy
wants me...

After a moment of
silence, Guy slowly pushed her caramel hair away from her face and tucked it
behind her ear. He looked at her.
She
seems so shy and innocent, not like many young women today.
Her innocence
struck a chord with him.

“I want to get to
know who you are Grace. I want to know
everything
there is to know about you.” Guy whispered as his forehead pressed against her.
His mouth just inches away from hers.

Grace’s heart
pounded madly underneath her breast. She thought she’d faint. They were close
to the point of kissing, her first real kiss since Ian.
I have to stop this now, this is madness. We barely know each other.
Grace pulled back and shied away from his hands.

“I grew up with my
two aunts, Cat and Corrie who’ve kept me under lock and key since I was a
little girl. Due to my parents’ accident, the loss of my mother, their sister,
they’re afraid that I’ll suffer the same fate if they let me go. At times, I
feel stifled by their love, but I know it runs deep. This winter is my last
winter here. Delicious will be fitted out and I’ll be moving to London to start
my own life. Will you believe a twenty-five year old woman has never been to
London?” said Grace smiling.

 
          
“London, there is no city in the
world like it. I think you’ll love it. I can show you around when you move.
Would you like it?” Guy asked.

Grace loved the
idea that there was prospect.

“Yes I’d like it.”
Grace said with nervous laughter.

“Why are you
nervous?” Guy took notice of the laughter. Guy drank the last drop of his
sparkling water and held his gaze on Grace.

Looking down shy,
Grace replied “I’ve never been around a man like you.”

It was a sad fact.
Grace didn’t want Guy to see her blush. Flattered, Guy laughed heartedly. A
part of him didn’t believe her naivety, but Guy was under the premise its nerves.
Guy stood on his feet, grabbing Grace’s hand.

“Come up.” Guy
said as he helped her to her feet.

Grace was in Guy’s arms. They were wrapped
around her waist. Guy smiled down at her. She felt small in his arms.
He is so much taller than me and his body overwhelms
mine
. If it wasn’t for Guy telling Grace he’s footballer, she’d guess Guy
played rugby.