by June Hopkins
Kieran breezes back into the room oozing confidence. It is now her turn to swallow as she looks up from her papers. He looks amazing, casual, in a blue shirt open at the neck which accentuates his eyes and well tailored black trousers. His hair is still glistening from his hasty shower and the heady aroma of his aftershave is glorious. She shifts nervously, but masks it well.
As Kieran settles his long limbs into the chair opposite her, she takes the bull by the horns. Keeping her face as expressionless as possible she looks at him coolly and says “Apologies for last night by the way, and the whole kissing you in the toilet thing.”
As Kieran raises his eyebrows she continues, “But you did win me a tenner so I can’t apologise for that.”
Kieran eyes her sceptically but he’s willing to play along. “A tenner, really? How come?”
“Thing is, it was a bet. My mate Emma, the one with the short dark hair...” Kieran gazes at her blankly.
“Anyway, she spotted us getting a bit touchy feely.” She drops that in deliberately, just to ensure that he remembers it wasn’t just her.
“She dared me to kiss you. Well you see I find that hard to resist when I’m pissed. A dare, I mean. Still, think yourself lucky. She had demanded a public show but I managed to negotiate. That’s why the toilet. Emma shoved me through the door and I just got it over with... sorry.” Mollie looks at him apologetically, but inside she is praying that she’s convincing. She doesn’t want him thinking he’s that irresistible to her, especially given that he buggered off.
The idea was spur of the moment but it seemed plausible, so why not? After all, not a complete fib. Emma had indeed popped across and whispered in her ear to get a room. She had also told Mollie in no uncertain terms that she should just get on with it and snog him.
Kieran keeps looking at her. He’s not sure, but if she is lying, she’s good at it. He feels ridiculously disappointed, which is mental considering he had been the one running scared. He also feels that he appears ridiculous to her because he had done just that. What a laugh they must have had at his expense. One kiss and he runs away. God, that is just great.
Keeping his face neutral he says, “Oh that’s fine, I rather enjoyed it, though I’m not sure about the old chap! He seemed a little put out that there was a lady in the gents’.” He laughs, and with relief, Mollie laughs with him.
“I am so sorry for not saying goodbye. I couldn’t find you anywhere. I did ask Jack to give you my apologies.” It wouldn’t hurt to implicate Jack. Kieran smiles to himself as Mollie’s mouth forms an ‘O’. He continues, “Only, I received an urgent phone call from a colleague. There was a problem at one of the hotels which I had to deal with. I won’t bore you with the details but I needed to get to a computer to sort it out. Anyway, I rang Megan to pick me up and, well, I apologise. You must have thought me very rude.” He gazes at her, his face contrite.
“Oh, of course, no need to apologise. Jack told me you had had to leave. Anyway, this list,” Mollie says brusquely, turning to the papers in her hand. “Shall we get down to business?” She changes the subject. She feels terrible now. God, now he thinks she’s some sort of vulgar thrill seeker, up for anything - a chav in a business suit. Jesus, why hadn’t she kept her big mouth shut? All she wants to do now is get this meeting over with as soon as possible and get the hell out of here and away from him.
Chapter 18
Two hours later Mollie and Kieran have moved to the study. They are seated next to each other at the large central table with files and paperwork littered across the top. Kieran has his laptop open and Mollie has downloaded all relevant estate files onto his memory stick from her computer, which remains in her old office. Mollie has answered his questions methodically and he appears pleased with her answers. The extensive list contains questions about the characters and competencies of the staff, suppliers, the tenants and their leases. He has quizzed her on the Hall’s grounds and the farm, showing interest in the crops, meat and dairy produce; all that Lord John had enthused about.
The farm is one of Mollie’s bugbears and as Kieran had brought it up she wasted no time in enlightening him on the bizarre, and to her mind unfair, arrangements in place.
The farm is tenant-owned by the Grant family, has been for two generations and is covered by an unusual lease which ensures the landowners (now the McLaren Group) receive a percentage of the annual profits gained from all the agricultural assets.
The lease is renewed every twenty years and this is due again next year. The historical agreement was drawn up by Lord John’s great-great-grandfather who adored the idea of farming but hadn’t been too keen on the compulsory hard graft. The agreement offered him the best of both worlds and so it has remained for a hundred and fifty years. The tenants are happy as the rent is extraordinarily low by today’s standards.
Mollie is not too bothered about that but she is pissed off that ten years ago Lord John gave them permission to operate other businesses on the land. She had counselled him strongly against it at the time. She had implored him to at least demand a rent increase or another profit share. However, Lord John did neither. He liked Bob Grant and applauded him and his hard work. Farming was a never ending task and Bob Grant worked hard. The agreement was amended and Mollie feels that the family, especially Mrs Grant and the younger son, have been taking the piss ever since.
The Grants, being rather a shrewd bunch and indeed having taken advantage of Lord John’s good nature, now operate a corporate quad biking venture, dog boarding kennels and also run a four-star bed and breakfast from the enormous farmhouse. The estate cannot claim profit from these lucrative operations.
Only Mr Grant and his eldest son’s passion for farming ensure that any agricultural activities do actually occur. If Mrs Grant had her way they would keep a couple of chickens and nothing more in order to comply with the terms of the lease. Kieran finds this disclosure extremely interesting. He completely understands where Mollie is coming from. Clearly the family had hoodwinked Lord John. They were, it seemed, on to a good thing at the estate’s expense.
This annoys Kieran. The books show the profits from the farm produce are negligible. The rent is ridiculous; any business brain could see that this situation is untenable.
As the two of them go over the books in close proximity, their original awkwardness and point-scoring appears forgotten. Mollie points out the horrendous figures spent on repairs to the farm over the years. The Grants simply produced quotes, gained agreement from Lord John and sent the bill to the Hall. Mollie had been furious on each occasion. However, she’d been left with no choice other than to pay up. None of the other tenants took advantage like the Grants.
Kieran is stunned at the audacity. Bloody cheek. He stares at a figure of £25,000 to replace the farmhouse roof. He is even more annoyed when Mollie points out that the building contractor who always got the jobs was actually Mrs Grant’s brother.
“Hey you’re not annoyed because your Dad didn’t get the work, are you?” he teases.
Mollie glares at him and says indignantly, “No I bloody well am not. You can ask anyone, Bill James is a one man band who has a bad reputation round here as a real cowboy builder.”
“OK, sorry! I was only joking, you know,” he teases as he holds his hands up in surrender.
Mollie sighs, “No, I’m sorry for firing up on you. It’s just that you have no idea how many times I have had arguments with Lord John over the whole thing. Do you know there are two cottages on the farmland, and guess who lives in them completely rent free?”
“Um, now let me think, it wouldn’t be the two sons by any chance?” he asks.
“Do you know what, Mr McLaren? You aren’t as stupid as you look, are you?” she tells him playfully.
“No I am not as it goes, but please don’t tell anyone. My reputation will be shot to bits.” Kieran smiles widely at her.
Mollie makes a sign of a cross over her heart, “I promise not to say a word.”
“OK then, and
in return I promise to really look into the whole farm thing. I love a good detective story. I’ll have to pay them a visit soon and get my facts straight before I look into the lease renewal.” He throws his hand up in the air, using his pen to mimic a sword, “Don’t worry, their piss-taking days are numbered. We shall prevail.”
Mollie giggles, “I’m glad to hear it; it’s only taken many years of working here and a change of owner for someone to actually listen to me. You have no idea of the relief.”
“Well fear not fair maiden, I will slay your metaphorical dragon for you and you will be able to gloat to your heart’s content.” Kieran gazes at her, with a beautiful smile.
“Kind Sir, how will I ever repay you?” she simpers sarcastically at him.
“Yes Kieran darling. How will she?” The haughty, husky, upper class voice comes from behind them making them both jump and spin round.
Mollie nearly falls out of her chair in shock as she takes in possibly the most beautiful woman she has ever seen up close.
OMG! Serena Bonart! Mollie thinks she’s hallucinating. Serena Bonart, the gorgeous, world famous, Hollywood actress stands in front of her, in the study, here in Sedgwick.
“Nooo way,” she breathes the words quietly.
She remains ridiculously star struck, even when Kieran shoots from his chair and rushes up to Serena. Taking her in his arms he says breathlessly, “Serena, darling, what on earth are you doing here? You’re supposed to be in Croatia. Filming not going to plan?”
Serena lifts her cheek to accept his kiss and eyes him steadily. “The filming is fine, just as soon as they sort out a few little bits and pieces for me I shall go straight back. Until then they can go whistle. I’m much more interested in your little stage play, right here in this room.” The sentence hangs heavy in the air as she rotates her challenging brown eyes between the two of them.
Mollie swallows, this is just too surreal. Lou is so not going to believe it. Serena’s annoyance has washed right over Mollie who is wondering if she could ask for a photo or an autograph.
Kieran is gutted. Bloody Serena! He hadn’t expected to see her for at least a month. Trust her to turn up and ruin everything. He’s been glancing at Mollie to gauge her reaction and feels slightly better that she clearly hasn’t grasped what is going on. She certainly hasn’t picked up on Serena’s sarcasm and he needs to open his mouth before she loses her legendary temper. She is a very jealous woman. Not particularly jealous of Kieran, she’s simply jealous of anything or anyone that takes the limelight from her.
Kieran mans up, “Serena I am sorry, how rude of me. This is Mollie Brown. Mollie, I can tell you’ve already recognised Serena but please come and meet her properly.”
As Mollie moves from her chair in a trance, Kieran continues, “Mollie I would like to introduce you to the magnificent Serena Bonart.”
Serena holds out a dainty, beautiful hand. As Mollie shakes it she feels as if her own hand has suddenly grown to the size of a baseball glove. Serena barely holds Mollie’s hand but gives all the appearance of shaking it heartily. Mollie feels as if her hand must be sweating as she swallows in awe.
Serena withdraws her hand and gives Mollie an indulgent smile, her incredible, full lips only slightly turning up at the edges. Mollie stares at her. She truly is incredibly beautiful. Stunning, in fact: her skin is flawless. She has a look of Audrey Hepburn about her, with huge eyes and a beauty spot just above her top lip. Her short dark brown hair is shining and perfectly styled and her perfume permeates the room. Serena is tiny, about the same height as Mollie but with a perfectly formed petite figure. She must be a size 0, Mollie thinks. She hadn’t thought it was possible to be that little and still be alive.
Mollie remembers to breathe out and step away from the goddess.
Kieran is smiling to himself. Serena inevitably receives this adoration from the majority of people when they first meet her. If only her personality traits were as beautiful as her looks.
“Mollie is helping me with some of the finer details concerning the estate,” he explains.
“Well, I’m sure she is.” Serena says in a sickly sweet voice.
Mollie does pick up on this. She glances first at Serena and then at Kieran. Shit, how could she be so bloody stupid? Clearly it’s time for her to leave.
“It is actually very good of Mollie to give up her time on a Sunday,” Kieran explains to Serena, pointedly. He’d spotted Mollie’s reaction and knows she has got it now.
“Of course it is. I am sure Kieran will suitably reimburse you for your time, won’t you Kieran? Perhaps double time? How much is the minimum wage nowadays?” Serena asks rudely.
Mollie sucks in a breath. What a bitch! Superstar or not, Mollie wasn’t taking that.
As she opens her mouth to speak Jack appears in the doorway and interrupts her.
“Mollie babe, haven’t you two finished yet? Come on, we’re going to be sooo late.” He breezes past Serena and throws his arm around Mollie’s shoulders.
Kieran stiffens and Mollie is flustered. Where the hell did Jack come from?
Jack pulls Mollie close, “So Serena, what do you think of my gorgeous girl then?”
Serena is slightly put out, she had assumed this rather pretty girl was the hired help but turns out she’s with Jack.
Serena has a rather soft spot for Jack. He puts her in her place and doesn’t allow her to play the diva when he’s around. He takes the piss out of her relentlessly for doing so and she tones it down when he’s about.
“I hadn’t realised you were a couple, Jack. You should have said, you naughty boy. You allowed me to believe these two were up to no good.” Serena glances at Kieran and Mollie, as she drops Jack in it deliberately.
Jack colours slightly as Kieran glares at him. Mollie stiffens, but says nothing.
“God, I was just having a laugh, lighten up. I rescued you, didn’t I before Serena here had one of her tantrums?” Jack says defensively.
Serena sucks in a breath and narrows her eyes at him.
“You are not funny Jack, not in the least. Now didn’t you say you were going to be late? Kieran and I have three weeks of catching up to do, so run along and play you two. Nice to meet you Mollie. And I apologise for being a bitch; you can blame your boyfriend.”
Before anyone can say anything else Jack pushes Mollie towards the door. He drags her bag from the chair as he does, “See you both then. Enjoy and don’t wear him out now Serena, we’ve got work to do tomorrow.”
Mollie and Kieran only have the opportunity to glance at each other, both speaking volumes with their eyes. Kieran’s say, ‘I’m so sorry, I should have told you.’ Mollie’s say, ‘Rot in hell, you lying pig’.
Chapter 19
Half an hour later Mollie finds herself in The Dog and Duck, slightly shell-shocked and nursing a pint of lager shandy. She is furious with Jack for shit stirring. He had propelled her out of the room, down the corridor and out of the front door before she could utter a word. Once outside the Hall she’d turned on him but he had merely insisted they go to the pub where he would fill her in. Next thing she knew she was parking up in the pub car park with Jack bounding out of the passenger seat saying that the last one inside was buying the drinks. She had followed him simply because she wanted to know what the hell was going on.
Now, as she glares at him across the small table, Jack is looking sheepish.
“Ah Molls, come on don’t look at me like that, I was just having a laugh. Serena is so easy to wind up, I couldn’t resist,” he tells her, his voice full of remorse.
Mollie continues her glaring.
“Molls, won’t you forgive me? Come on, let’s have a couple of drinks and I’ll buy you dinner to make up for it.” Jack drops his head to one side and pouts pathetically at her. Mollie feels her lips twitching.
“Jack, you are such an idiot and dinner had better be more than a kebab,” she tells him.
Jack laughs with relief, “No problem, whatever madam desires.”
“OK, well they do a good steak here so how about that? They don’t start serving until six though, so that gives you just over an hour to spill the beans on Serena Bonart and your cousin.” She takes a sip of her drink and sits back waiting for him to tell all.
Jack sighs, “OK, you win. They’ve been seeing each other for about eight months I reckon. It must be about that because they met at the Oscars in February when we were at an after show party in LA,” he says casually. Mollie boggles at him. Unbelievable!
Jack continues ignoring her wide-eyed stare. “They were introduced by a friend of ours, who I’m not going to name because you may start hyperventilating,” he tells her with a cheeky grin.
Mollie reaches across and slaps him on the arm.
“Alright...” He laughs, “Anyway they’ve been seeing each other since then. I think it’s pretty much the biggest secret in Hollywood, they haven’t been found out yet.” He stops talking and looks thoughtful.
Mollie waits for a few seconds before asking him, “What’s up?”
Jack peers at her thoughtfully, “Umm, I need to ask you to do something, even though I already know that you wouldn’t.” He looks slightly awkward.
“What, Jack?” Mollie asks him suspiciously.
“Sorry, but the thing is I need you to promise that you won’t tell anyone about Serena. I mean about her and Kieran and that she’s here. They have kept it a secret until now and I know that Kieran doesn’t want it to get out. Not to mention the paps getting wind of her whereabouts. It’ll turn into a circus if they find her.” Jack stops and rubs at his cheek nervously. He doesn’t want Mollie to think he doesn’t trust her but this is the life they live now. They had all been caught out in the past whilst entertaining celebrities. They’d all had to learn not to trust anyone. Most people would sell their own grandmother if they could make a few quid out of the rich and famous. He knows Mollie is not one of those but if he doesn’t spell it out she may well innocently tell someone and they would be all over the front page of the tabloids within hours.