Under New Management

by June Hopkins

  Jack fights with the balloons and through the gap between the bear’s head and arm, stares at the sweaty man who is wearing a name badge with Bernard on it.

  “Right,” says Bernard, “I’ve got a song for you as well. I’m sorry I have to sing it, so bear with me, mate...” He stops and puts his pudgy hand to his chin as he considers something, then quickly says, “Bear with me.” He gives a hearty chuckle. “Geddit? Ahhh, funny that. Anyway, where was I?”

  Jack looks alarmed as Bernard clears his throat. Kieran and Marylyn are trying very hard not to laugh as he starts to do some sort of a jig on the, luckily, huge top step.

  He dramatically extends his arm, throws back his head and begins to sing ‘Can You Feel the Love Tonight.’ Elton John he is not and as he breaks enthusiastically into the chorus, Jack winces and Marylyn and Kieran are doubled up, howling with laughter. Kieran is laughing so much he is having a job to keep the filming going.

  Bernard makes it through the song and puts his all into the last line. As the song comes to an end and he warbles the last words, he then makes a dramatic bow.

  Jack is dumbstruck. He gives a stuttered, “Thank you,” to the poor man and after rummaging in his jeans pocket finds a ten pound note, which he offers to him. Bernard gratefully accepts the cash and scuttles off down the steps. Jack shoves the door shut with his backside and turns, glaring, at Marylyn and Kieran who are still laughing. Without saying a word, he marches down the hall and straight up the stairs carrying his teddy.

  When Jack reaches his room he throws the bear onto the bed and stares at it with distaste. He hates soft toys - thinks they’re creepy. He’s sure Mollie must know that. What on earth has got into her? She’s acting very strangely. Jack scratches his head, at a loss to what to do next for the best. He’s beginning to wonder if Mollie’s husband running off with another bloke has turned her slightly bonkers. Perhaps he should have left her alone. Maybe she needs more time to get over it all.

  Kieran and Marylyn resume their dinner, chuckling every so often at Jack’s reaction. Kieran sends Mollie the footage with one word attached, ‘Brilliant!’ Marylyn has voiced her thoughts that Mollie is playing Jack at his own game and points out to Kieran that she’s clearly not interested in getting back with him. Marylyn gives Kieran a knowing look and Kieran grins back at his mother, “Looks that way, doesn’t it?”

  Mollie and Lindy are in hysterics when they watch the footage from Kieran. This is just priceless.

  Later that evening Mollie sends Jack a follow-up text.

  Well lover, did you like

  your pressy?? Can’t

  wait for tomorrow night.

  Xxxxxxx

  Jack looks at his phone and sighs. Yep, she’s definitely lost the plot.

  Chapter 29

  At six-forty on Saturday evening, Jim lets out a “Whoohoo!” from the kitchen where he is keeping watch for the transport as promised by Jack.

  The rest of them are sitting in the lounge in their finery, also waiting. They all glance at each other with amused grins.

  “I think it’s turned up,” Dan says as he gets up from the sofa and heads to the hallway. The rest of them get to their feet, gathering their coats and bags and follow Dan. He opens the front door and lets out a low whistle. “Hey girls you are going to love this,” he tells them as he heads outside.

  Jim flies out of the kitchen and shoves past them to the door, camera in hand.

  “Lindy come and see! I’ve got to get a picture of this.”

  Mollie frowns. What the hell has Jack sent?

  They file outside and take in the enormous black stretched limo parked at the end of the drive. Lindy, Julie and Lou let out squeals of excitement. Mollie shakes her head, bloody show off.

  She has to smile though as she watches the rest of them swarm round the limo. Jim is inside shouting excitedly, “There’s champagne and everything!”

  Mollie calls to them checking they have everything and as she locks the door, she then decides to enter into the fun of it all and rushes down to peer at the limo too.

  They set off on a slow drive through the town, receiving many curious stares. Jim has his head out of the window as he shouts hello to anyone he knows and to some he doesn’t. Dan hands each of them a flute of champagne and they all chink glasses. Mollie sips her drink and looks around her at the car. The seating runs down each side, across the back and behind the driver. There is a TV, music system and flashing coloured lighting everywhere. Glancing at Lou and her family she is proud of how wonderful they all look. The shopping trip was well worth the effort and the money. Jim and Dan have matching dinner jackets, sporting bow ties and shiny new black shoes. Their pristine white dress shirts look bright against their coloured waistcoats. Jim’s is purple and Dan’s pink to match their wives’ dresses. They had phoned during the afternoon to check on colours. Luckily Julie and Lindy had chosen theirs within half an hour of entering the boutique. Lindy is looking beautiful and classy in a deep purple three-quarter length cocktail dress. It is cut off of one shoulder, nipped in at the waist and has a slim fitting skirt. It has a Grecian style to it. A large heavy gold necklace completes the look. She has had her tan topped up and her blonde hair is dressed over the bare shoulder tumbling to her bust.

  Julie is angelic in a pretty, pale pink strapless dress. It flows to her calves with an A-line skirt, which falls longer at the back into a mermaid tail. The bodice has a petal effect, showing a hint of cleavage.

  Lou is simply stunning in a strapless, tight fitting long, black gown. It has a split at the side running from her ankle to mid-thigh.

  Tia had pulled out all the stops. She has been harassing Lou for years trying to persuade her to go for a new look. Lou has always resisted. Today, however, she was so excited that she basically gave Tia a free rein to do as she pleased. Tia had shrieked with delight and promptly went to town on her.

  The result is spectacular. Mollie keeps staring at her. Lou looks like a completely different person. They have been complimenting her continuously and Lou has spent the last couple of hours blushing with delight. Her pale skin has been spray tanned to a beautiful soft, golden brown. Blonde highlights now streak her strawberry blonde hair which she is wearing straight, another first for her. It falls in a glossy sheen past her shoulders. Deep red lipstick and nails complete the look. If she doesn’t send Jack wild, Mollie will be amazed.

  Mollie is proud of her own beautiful one shoulder sexy electric blue/black dress. It has two skirts. One stops above the knee, the other a semi transparent skirt which flows to her ankles. Her blonde hair is piled on her head and flows down to her shoulders in a mass of curls. She also wears deep red lipstick and nails. With any luck, she’ll knock Kieran’s socks off.

  As the car pulls up in front of the Hall’s steps, they all trip laughing and giggling onto the floodlit drive. The front door opens and Jack calls to them from the doorstep.

  “Hey you lot! You scrub up well.” He tells them before bounding down the steps to the drive.

  Jim calls back to him, “Jack my old son, you know how to lay on transport, I’ll give you that. What a great ride. Never been in one of these before.” He walks towards Jack and they share a man hug.

  Dan follows with some more male bonding.

  As the women sort their pashminas and straighten their dresses, Jack moves between them bestowing kisses on their flushed cheeks.

  As he moves to Lou, Mollie notices him eyeing her up. He is surprised, in a good way. Jack says, “Hi,” to her, his voice slightly gruff. He leans towards Lou to give her a kiss. Before he hits his target, she gives him a serene smile and says, “Jack,” with a slight nod of her head and moves seductively away from him.

  Mollie says a mental ‘Yes!’ as she watches him stare after Lou, a bemused look on his face.

  From the side, Lindy takes Jack’s hand, distracting his thoughts. “Jack, thank you so much for all of this. What a fabulous way to be picked up. I can’t tell you how excited I am! I can’t
believe we’re going to meet Serena Bonart. I don’t know how I’m going to stop myself from swooning at her feet.”

  Jack laughs loudly, “Don’t worry about that Lindy. I’ll stand behind you and catch you if you fall. No one will notice.”

  Turning to Mollie he looks at her slightly warily. She gives him a wide grin and before he can move towards her she rushes into his arms and hugs him, gushing, “Oh Jack! You are wonderful, doing all this for us,” as she pulls back and gazes into his eyes.

  Jack is flummoxed and after clearing his throat, says gruffly, “No problem,” and steps back a little. Mollie stifles a smile.

  He tries to avoid catching her eye, but says, “Uh, you look amazing by the way. Erm, you all do.” Mollie is still gazing at him with a simpering look on her face. What’s all that about?

  “Shall we go in?” she asks and she startles him by dragging his arm into hers and moves towards the house. Jack falls into step at her side and she dips her head to his, cuddling his arm as they walk. He looks straight ahead. Yep, she’s definitely being weird.

  Brian Fellows is hiding in the bushes commando style. As he snaps away, he’s not feeling the cold too badly in his biker black leathers. He’s disappointed when he doesn’t recognise any of the guests in the limo which has just pulled up.

  However, he is pleased to recognise Jack. The McLarens are always good for a story and Jack Murphy especially. He has it all, great looks, tons of money and best of all, he can’t behave himself. At least Brian now knows that there is something in Angela’s story. If Jack’s cousin Megan is here, Johnny will be, too.

  He hasn’t seen the elusive Serena yet, but he couldn’t get near the house before dark. He had tried setting up at the end of the drive but a couple of chaps spotted him and were looking interested. Brian decamped to the local pub for a few hours. He had plenty of time and as far as he knew he was the only pap who had this information. This time tomorrow he could well be rolling in it.

  Gathering in the large sitting room, the introductions over with, they stand around chatting and sipping champagne. Serena is late appearing, obviously wanting to make an entrance, but Lindy has been assured she will join them soon. Mollie had felt herself flush as Kieran leant in to kiss her cheek in welcome.

  He quietly asks her, “What are you playing at, Ms Brown?”

  Mollie gives him a secretive smile, “Didn’t I tell you not to ask questions?”

  Kieran grins and holds his hands up, “Well, whatever you are up to, keep it up. I haven’t laughed that much in ages.” Changing the subject he asks, “How are you feeling today, after your near death experience?”

  “Fine, thanks to you,” She smiles gratefully.

  “Good, glad to have been of service. Please try to stay away from the nuts this evening though. I’m not sure I have the energy for another life-saving mission.” Kieran raises an eyebrow and smirks as he moves away to speak to Jim.

  Mollie smiles to herself, “Git!” she mutters as she moves to the ornate mantelpiece. Quietly looking around the room she thinks ‘what an elegant gathering it is.’

  The women are all beautifully dressed. Megan looks gorgeous in a short bright lilac cocktail dress with a balloon skirt. Her dark hair is shiny and bouncing in waves about her shoulders. Mollie studies her for a moment. She is very, very pretty and very like Kieran. Mollie had been a little unsure of her before they were introduced, but Megan is warm and friendly, making Mollie feel at ease immediately, as had Marylyn. Mollie wasn’t sure what she had been expecting, but they were both genuinely friendly towards her.

  As she people watches she smiles at Marylyn, resplendent in a gold sequinned cocktail dress, as she laughs with Lindy. What a lovely lady.

  Marylyn constantly moves from one group to another, making sure they all feel included. She ensures that conversation in the room flows nicely. Always the consummate hostess, she works the room tirelessly.

  Kieran, Jack and Johnny all look very handsome in their suits. Lindy and Lou had virtually swooned on being introduced to the sexy Johnny Morgan and Mollie wasn’t far behind them. His strong features, short brown hair and hazel green eyes make for a tummy squirming combination. He is charming and a terrible flirt. Megan appears to either ignore or is indifferent to his behaviour and Mollie is impressed. She’s not sure she could remain so level-headed if she had a boyfriend that attractive and openly flirting with other women.

  Jack has tried to engage Lou in conversation on several occasions now, but she is sticking to the plan admirably. Mollie is very proud of her. She’s acting as if she’s completely disinterested in anything Jack has to say. Instead, she flirts with Kieran, Johnny and even Dan, on occasion.

  Angela enters the room with a silver tray of canapés and moves quietly between them offering the food. Mollie is puzzled as she notices that she has a shifty look about her. Angela keeps glancing at the open window and so Mollie finds herself glancing that way too. There’s nothing but darkness out there, so what is so interesting? Perhaps there are other guests on the way, or perhaps she’s waiting for Serena to arrive. Mollie frowns - she could have sworn Jack told Lindy that Serena is upstairs. Oh well, what does it matter? She looks away from Angela and tunes into a conversation about football between Jim and Johnny.

  Mollie is on her third, or possibly fourth, glass of champagne when it strikes her that perhaps she should continue working on her plan to freak out Jack. That, however, appears easier said than done. As she roams the room with her eyes she spots Jack behind Lou. He is talking to Lindy but seems much more concerned with what Lou and Kieran are discussing. Mollie nearly laughs out loud as she watches him try a couple of times to include himself in their conversation. Lou is ignoring him brilliantly. Mollie is just thinking about going over to them, when the door swings open revealing a stunning Serena Bonart.

  The Browns and Lou take in a united breath of sheer awe. Serena stands in true Hollywood pose with one arm stretched up on the door frame. She is dazzling in an outfit of sheer black and purple, the embroidery on the gown strategically placed to protect her modesty. The skirt is short at the front and falls into a train at the back. The dress fits so perfectly it is like a second skin; her tiny figure looks as though it has been poured into it. She would look more at home on the red carpet.

  “Well, good evening everybody. So sorry to have kept you waiting,” she purrs huskily at them all.

  As she draws her arm down the door frame, Kieran rushes forward to take her hand as she gracefully holds it out to him. Everyone in the room is staring at her, some still truly star struck, others with feelings of pure horror at her behaviour. Mollie is in the latter camp along with the rest of the McLaren family.

  Kieran feels quite simply mortified. God how unbelievably brazen of her! What the hell is the stupid bitch playing at? He had rushed towards her with the intention of ending her ridiculous performance. Instead, he had inadvertently played straight into her hands.

  Having no other choice, he walks with her around the room as if she is royalty, her hand resting lightly on his. She rustles smoothly beside him, offering her free hand to each person in turn as he introduces them to her.

  Lindy actually curtsies, minimally, but bob she does. Kieran stares at her incredulously and sees her cheeks are bright red with pleasure and her eyes wide with wonder. Lindy’s voice shakes as she replies to Serena’s insincere questions.

  Lou isn’t much better and Jim all but throws himself onto the floor to kiss her feet. Kieran shakes his head. This is bonkers, they’re all mad! Only Mollie, her brother and Julie behave themselves, speaking to Serena as if she is a neighbour from over the road. He knows Mollie is doing it deliberately to bait her. He has to admire her sense of fun; she obviously enjoys winding people up and what’s more she is clearly very good at it. He smiles to himself. Dan and Julie also seem completely unaffected by her. Kieran feels pride in the three of them. Thank God not everyone is swooning in Serena’s presence or there would be no living with her. Not that th
at particularly matters. After this weekend, he has every intention of never being in the same location as her ever again.

  When Serena’s tour of the room is over, she positions herself at the mantle, delicately holding onto its shelf. Her body is turned to its best advantage. As she holds court, her fans buzzing around her, she guzzles champagne at an alarming rate. Jim has given himself the job of keeping her topped up. Unusually for Serena, she allows them all to have photographs taken with her. She is now drunk (thanks to the numerous glasses of champagne she had put away before gracing them with her presence) and desperate to get back into Kieran’s good books. He has been rather distant with her since she arrived back at the Hall this afternoon. Clearly he’s still sulking over the events of Wednesday morning. Serena has decided to be fabulous with everyone, her way of making amends.

  Mollie takes the opportunity to continue where she had left off with Jack. She has texted him a number of times today. His replies had become shorter and shorter as he became more nervous. Mollie needed to bring the game to its conclusion, as it was becoming tiresome and she didn’t think she could keep it up for much longer.

  She sidles up to Jack from behind, as he is talking to Johnny and slides her arms around his waist. Jack jumps a mile, spilling champagne onto the carpet. He spins round to face her with a hunted look in his eyes.

  “You OK baby? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” she stifles a grin.

  Johnny moves away to speak to Megan.

  Jack realises he has to speak to Mollie, but he can’t bear the look on her face. He doesn’t want to hurt her but he can’t keep leading her on. He doesn’t want to say anything this evening; it would be really shitty of him to spoil her night. The trouble is he feels like a cat on a hot tin roof every time she comes near him. He really doesn’t know what to do.