Under New Management

by June Hopkins

  Kieran’s phone flashes on the dash and he breathes in nervously, his stomach lurching, as he sees it’s Mollie.

  Not wanting to do this on speaker, he pulls over as quickly as he can and grabs the phone. Has she changed her mind?

  Answering a little breathlessly he says, “Mollie! Hello, are you OK?”

  “Why did you lie to me?” she asks without preamble.

  Kieran doesn’t miss a beat, she hasn’t even identified which lie she’s referring to but he knows.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t actually tell a lie though, did I? I just withheld the truth.”

  Mollie smirks a little at this despite herself, “Oookay, if you’re going to be pedantic about it Mr McLaren, I will rephrase the question. Why did you withhold the truth from me?”

  Kieran smiles, “Can I invoke the fifth amendment?”

  “You think your answer will incriminate you?” Mollie asks raising an eyebrow.

  Kieran laughs into the phone making her squirm slightly.

  “OK, I’m sorry. The truth, well, the truth is I don’t normally tell people when I first meet them that I’m involved with an A-list celebrity. Honestly, I didn’t think it relevant. Not until the kiss. At that point I didn’t want to tell you.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I liked you too much, I fancy you rotten, if you must know. Telling you might have put you off me and I didn’t want to risk that. Is that honest enough for you?”

  Mollie sucks in air through her teeth, her heart dancing a tango in her chest. Blimey, she wasn’t expecting that much honesty.

  “Wow, that is honest and obviously I can’t blame you,” she tells him playfully, “but you have a girlfriend, which makes anything you or I might feel, irrelevant. Don’t you agree?”

  Kieran pauses and he digests her statement. Perhaps he shouldn’t have been that honest with her, but what harm could it do? No big deal to at least lay a few cards on the table, especially with Jack sniffing around. At least he is offering her an option and given that she just said ‘or I might feel’, then maybe all is not lost. She has admitted to having some feelings for him. Perhaps she will wait for him to sort the Serena situation out, after all.

  “I’m unsure whether you can describe any feelings as irrelevant.. After all, even the smallest of emotion holds some significance, wouldn’t you agree?” He pauses momentarily to allow her to give his statement some consideration. Mollie feels her heart quicken further and she waits for him to continue.

  “Regardless of any feelings I may have for you, I need you to know that I am not serious about Serena. We aren’t meant to be and that is possibly another reason I didn’t tell you about her. Whatever happens between Serena and I has been on the cards for a long time.”

  He pauses again. He doesn’t want Mollie to feel any pressure or guilt but he needs her to understand. Kieran just has no idea of how to word what he wants to say next.

  He takes a deep breath and says quietly, “I wasn’t prepared to meet you, Mollie . . .” and tails off.

  Mollie is exultant but sad all at the same time. The fact remains that he is with Serena. Jack doesn’t think he has the balls to finish with her and until he is free Mollie needs to keep her distance. She’s very much in danger of becoming ‘the other woman’ and she is not going down that route.

  “Thanks for the honesty, Kieran and I’m glad you’ve told me. One day if we’re both unattached, we might go for a drink or something. Mind you, we could well find we hate each other once we’re working together! For all I know you could turn out to be the boss from hell.”

  Kieran laughs out loud into the phone, “Good point, well made as always Ms Brown. I’ll tell you what, why don’t you do your thing and I’ll do mine and we’ll see where we end up?”

  “Good plan, Mr McLaren. I can live with that. I’ll see you on Saturday night.” She clicks off the phone.

  Kieran looks at his mobile and smiles. He feels as if a weight has been lifted. At least now the two of them can start again. If he’s lucky, things will move in the right direction and sooner rather than later they may be going for that drink. He loosens his shoulders, starts the engine again and makes for home.

  Mollie puts the phone down onto the table. Wow! She hadn’t been expecting that conversation, but she’s glad. She at last understands his behaviour and she is elated to know that she hasn’t been imagining things. She hugs herself, grinning like a Cheshire cat. He has feelings for her; he fancies her rotten! Who knew? Slowly, her grin fades as she realises that she can’t afford to get carried away. Actions speak louder than words and there’s no point in getting her hopes up until he’s free. Still, no harm in flirting just a little... that’s allowed isn’t it? Mollie’s smile returns. Yes, a little harmless flirting wouldn’t go amiss and it would let him know that she is still interested.

  Chapter 27

  At the Hall, Angela is in the kitchen organising lunch when her mobile rings. Glancing at the number she leaves by the back door and takes the call in the courtyard, away from the house.

  “Where the hell have you been? I’ve been trying to reach you for two days,” she hisses into the mouthpiece.

  “Alright, alright! Keep your hair on Ange. What’s up anyway? Jeez . . .” Brian mumbles into his phone. He wishes he hadn’t bothered phoning her now.

  “I’ve left you messages, haven’t you listened to any of them? Christ, I don’t even think you deserve this now,” Angela tells him.

  Brian takes a deep breath. He had listened to her garbled messages about having a tipoff for him, but to be honest he had enough on his plate. He didn’t really need anything this weekend. He’d promised himself some time off, but as usual he couldn’t seem to resist and gave in.

  He thinks quickly, you could never be too careful. It wasn’t the best idea to alienate your sources in his game. One never knew when one would pay off. Changing his tone he answers her, “Yea sorry about that my love. I’ve been undercover. You know how it is - had to maintain secrecy. This is the first chance I’ve had to contact anyone. I swear I did as soon as I could.. Now what have you got for me? Anything interesting?”

  Angela gives a brittle laugh and Brian’s senses heighten. The best stuff always came from the disgruntled.

  “I have something much more than interesting and my fee is 40%, this time.” Angela doesn’t mess about.

  “What? Forty? Well that depends on how good it is, doesn’t it?” he snorts, but covers the mouth piece.

  “Serena Bonart, is that good enough for you?” Angela says with relish.

  Brian laughs, “Yeah, whatever, Ange. You must be having a laugh. Serena is in Croatia. Any pap worth his salt knows that. Don’t waste my time.”

  Angela colours, “You listen to me you ugly little man,” she spits at him with distaste. “As you well know I am not in the habit of wasting anyone’s time. I’m in a temporary position at the moment and I was cooking for Serena from Monday through to Wednesday, here in the UK. She’s gone elsewhere for a couple of days and then she’s coming back for a dinner party, which I’m preparing,” she announces, with pride. “There are a number of other newsworthy guests, too, apart from her and I have some juicy gossip on who her latest flame is. When you want to do business, ring me back, Brian. Until then, goodbye.” Angela flicks her phone closed. Let’s see how long the little weasel takes to phone back and she starts to count the seconds.

  Brian Fellows is a member of the great British paparazzi. Brian is a short, dumpy little man with thinning, greasy brown hair. He barely makes a living from his random celebrity photos, but Brian, like all the others in the business, lives for that one great shot. A front-pager. ‘That photo’. The one that would be fought over by the news editors and sold over and over. So far, ‘that photo’ had always eluded him. Brian only ever managed tin pot C-listers, publicity seeking reality TV types. They kept him in food and gave him a roof over his head, just. Brian lives in a grotty little bedsit which he detests but at least it is warm and dr
y. He longs for the day when he can afford to rent something with more than one room.

  He and Angela had met many years ago at college. They’d been friends for a while. Both outcasts, they’d hung out together now and again. Over the years she had given him a few tips which had paid off. Working as an agency cook she got around, often finding herself catering for weddings and parties, sometimes for vaguely interesting people. Angela wasn’t stupid, she always took her cut. She saw him as a means to an end as there certainly was no friendship between them anymore. Angela only gave him the time of day in order to make some extra cash.

  As Angela cuts him off Brian stares at his phone. She wasn’t in the habit of making jokes. She must be bloody serious, Serena Bonart! Brian feels all the hairs on his body stand to attention. This, if it came off, could make him a bloody fortune. He presses redial and with shaking hands waits for Angela to answer.

  She had reached ‘nine’ when her phone rings, Letting it ring three times she answers in a bored tone, “Yes?”

  Returning to the kitchen ten minutes later she smiles, she’s very satisfied. That nasty stuck up bitch is going to pay for what she’d said. Angela would not forgive Serena for embarrassing her the other day. She’d said sorry afterwards, but it was clearly under duress, she hadn’t meant a word of it. Well Serena would learn that you couldn’t go round saying vile things and hurting people’s feelings without consequences. It was a shame the McLarens would be involved, but Angela felt they were simply collateral damage. Pictures of Serena and Kieran together would make a fortune and she would have a cut of that. Not to mention Johnny Morgan! He would net them a few quid as well, if he turned up. Angela knows she’s talking thousands here. She rubs her hands together. As long as Brian got his act together, they’d be on to a winner and the McLarens need never know the information had come from her.

  Chapter 28

  Mollie has spent a couple of hours doing some housework while she mulls over the proposal and her subsequent, unexpected conversation with Kieran. No point wasting time chasing up other jobs until she has made a decision on this one.

  She has one more task to complete before going shopping and she settles down at the computer, her lips twitching. She has had a brilliant idea to wind up Jack. She only wishes she could be there when it’s delivered.

  At one o’clock that afternoon Jack eventually replies to Mollie’s text.

  Bet your dreams

  were cleaner than mine!!!

  ;-0 He He xxxx

  Mollie, Lou, Julie and Lindy are having lunch in Cheltenham before hitting the shops. The men have left them to it promising to meet up at six.

  Mollie couldn’t help but tell the others about their game with Jack and as she reads out his text, they all giggle like schoolgirls.

  Mollie feels no guilt in sharing, although they have been sworn to secrecy. Jim and Dan are to be kept firmly out of the loop.

  Poor Jack’s feeling nervous. He’s deliberately tried to change the tone of the texts. Mollie has cottoned on to this and decides it’s time to move up to another level.

  After finishing her lunch she leaves the table to make a phone call. Finding a private area outside the restaurant she dials Jack’s number and makes a concerted effort to keep a straight face.

  Jack answers on the second ring.

  “Mollie, how’s it going?”

  “I’m good Jack and you?”

  “Yea, all good. Playing a round of golf as it happens. Some nice blokes at this club. What are you up to?”

  “I’m in Cheltenham. We’re off shopping in a bit,” she adds seductively, “I want to look my best for you tomorrow night.”

  “Great! Yeah, that’s great. Um, you OK, Molls? You seem, I don’t know, er... different.” Jack’s tone is confused.

  “Different? Do I, Jack? Sorry, I don’t mean to be. I guess I’m feeling a little weird, you know, about everything. After all, it’s not every day your old flame declares his undying love with a Porsche now, is it?” and she lets out a girly giggle.

  Jack frowns, he’s a little unnerved. He doesn’t remember declaring undying love. “Oh, umm yea. Well, you said you wanted one, didn’t you? See? I remembered. I’m confused now though. If you liked it so much, why didn’t you keep it?”

  “No Jack, I couldn’t have kept it, you know that. I’ll tell you what though, you can buy me another on our wedding day. I promise to keep that one.” Mollie covers the mouth piece as she lets out an involuntary snort of laughter.

  Jack is silent, he really is bemused. Who the hell mentioned marriage? Why does she keep referring to the ‘M’ word? He scratches his windswept hair.

  Laughing nervously into the phone he pleads, “Stop with all the marriage stuff, Molls, you’re freaking me out.”

  Mollie snorts again. When she controls herself she brings the phone back to her ear.

  Putting on a hurt voice, she asks, “Oh, right, sorry Jack. Have I got the wrong end of the stick? It’s just you said you wanted me back. You sent all those amazing flowers and what with the car and all, well I guess you’ve sort of swept me off my feet. All those feelings I had for you years ago have come flooding back. I thought you were serious about me. Everyone keeps telling me to go for it, that I should trust you, give you another chance. So I am.”

  Jack is feeling really bad. Could he blame her? After all, he has been showering her with gifts and telling her he wanted her back. What did he think was going to happen? Fuck, what a sleaze he’s being.

  “God Molls, I’m sorry, don’t be upset. Of course I want you back. You just freaked me out a bit with the mention of marriage, that’s all. I haven’t thought that far ahead yet, but of course, you know if things go well maybe we could think about that in a few years?”

  “A few years? Really? Jack I think you have me wrong. Don’t you know I want kids and everything? I thought you loved me. I’m already thirty and I don’t want to be an older mum. If you mean it, then it has to be for keeps. I can’t deal with you hurting me again, not after David...” Mollie tails off as she gives him time to digest the false hurt in her voice. She gives it a few more seconds and then says, “Jack, I think you need to think about what you really want. I have to go now. I’ll speak to you later.” Mollie drops the phone into her bag and still standing on her own in the street, she starts chuckling loudly. Random shoppers throw her bemused glances whilst giving her a wide berth.

  Jack closes his phone and stares at it. What the hell is going on? He’s created a monster! Is she for real? Mollie never used to be needy, ever. He’d always got away with blue murder with her. He sort of expected her to still be as easy going. Perhaps it’s because of that husband of hers. She’s probably terrified that anyone she sees is going to leave her. Jack feels very guilty and needs to pacify her. He’ll send her a text, make her feel better. She’ll be fine, she just needs to trust him. Perhaps one day he might marry her, but Jack is thinking many, many years from now. And kids? Well, that just isn’t an option. Jack texts Mollie.

  Sorry Molls, hope you’re

  OK. I didn’t mean to upset

  you. Don’t get worked up

  about all that stuff. Let’s just

  have a good time.

  I do luv ya to bits.

  Xxxxx

  Jack sends the text and immediately feels that he has redeemed himself. Putting his phone away he gets himself lined up for the next shot.

  As she rejoins the others, Mollie receives Jack’s text. Reading it, she grins widely and thinks, ‘Gotcha!’ She fills them in on the conversation and they all snigger with delight.

  “Oh Mollie, you are mean,” Lindy smirks.

  “I know, but he’ll get over it. I wouldn’t be doing it if I thought for one minute that Jack meant any of it. He doesn’t, want to be with me I’m just a distraction to him, something to pass the time. Anyway, by tomorrow night he’ll be dumping me, in the nicest possible way of course, but dump me he will. Come on, let’s go shopping! There’s plenty of time for Ja
ck-baiting later.”

  Once they are settled into a lovely little boutique full of designer dresses, Mollie decides to contact Kieran again. After their conversation earlier she doesn’t want him to think that she is serious about Jack. Suddenly it’s very important to her that he realises that what she has in store for Jack is a joke. Before she changes her mind she finds his number, quickly types out a text and sends it.

  At seven o’clock on Friday evening, Kieran, Marylyn and Jack are eating dinner in the dining room when the front doorbell rings.

  Kieran jumps up to answer the door. As he opens it, he is confronted by a huge teddy bear with a couple of helium balloons tied round its wrists. The heart shaped red balloons are emblazoned with ‘Luv u Jacky Boy’. Kieran’s eyes widen. This is new.

  Clearly this is Mollie’s doing and he starts to grin. Oh this is going to be great!

  Mollie’s text had told him to be at the Hall for seven with his camcorder at the ready and it also told him not to ask any questions. It has been driving him mad with curiosity all afternoon. As he watches the teddy bear being lowered to the step he thinks this will be so worth it.

  A perspiring, overweight man with minimal hair puts down the bear onto the step and asks, “You Jack Murphy?”

  Kieran snorts, “Uh, no. I’ll, um, just get him for you.”

  He turns and runs down the corridor to the dining room. Barging back into the room he says, “Jack, there’s a delivery for you.”

  Jack frowns at him, “What is it?”

  Kieran smirks, “Oh no, you really need to get this one yourself!”

  Looking confused, Jack gets up and walks out of the room. He glances suspiciously at a smirking Kieran and heads down the corridor towards the front door.

  “Mum, quick! You have got to see this,” Kieran laughs as he beckons urgently to Marylyn to follow him. Kieran has his phone ready and set to camcorder mode. They stand a little behind but to the side of a bemused Jack as he has the teddy bear shoved in his face.