Under New Management (24 page)

Chapter 24

Kieran is livid when he puts the phone down after his conversation with the over exuberant Jim. Kieran wouldn’t be surprised if the man spontaneously combusted, he was that excited for his daughter. He had listened with growing anger as Jim regaled him with Jack’s antics. He listened quietly as Jim described Mollie’s slow but sure surrender under the constant assault of Jack’s generosity. He balled his fists as Jim gushed about what a great guy Jack was and how he couldn’t fail to win the girl if he kept up this level of intensity. He frowned as Jim explained how excited Lindy would be when he surprised her with the dinner invitation and the opportunity to meet Serena Bonart. He seethed as Jim congratulated him on netting himself a catch of that calibre.

Kieran was hard pushed to get a word in when Jim questioned him on where the hell he had managed to meet Serena Bonart. How had Kieran managed to get and keep a woman like that? Was she as beautiful in real life?

Kieran had made non-committal noises but Jim didn’t notice. Jim proudly told him that he had no need to worry, the Brown’s word was their bond. None of them would breathe a word. They would keep quiet on the subject of Serena.

Eventually Jim had to go because Lindy had arrived home from work and was outside looking at the car. Jim needed to go and tell her the fantastic news, but he told Kieran he would see him on Saturday and that he couldn’t wait. The phone had gone dead and Kieran slowly put down the receiver. He needed to find Jack, now.

Storming out of the study he goes in search, ready to punch first and ask questions later. Of course Jack is nowhere to be found. Outside in the courtyard Jack’s car is gone and Kieran takes a few deep breaths to calm down. He doesn’t really know what he’s going to say to Jack, anyway. He carries on walking out of the courtyard and heads across the drive into the gardens. Finding a stone bench he sits down hard and puts his head in his hands.

He sits there in the cold for a while before rubbing his face and staring out at the lawn which stretches down towards the river. What is he doing? He has no right to tell Jack to leave Mollie alone. He’s with Serena and he doesn’t know how the hell he is supposed to get out of that situation.

He had known since the second date that she wasn’t for him. Serena’s personality flaws were endless. The fourth time they met up they had spent several days together in Bulgaria, where she enjoyed some anonymity. It had been the first time they had actually left the house together. He had been shocked and found himself cringing at her rudeness to others. Incognito or not, she had an air about her. She seemed to think that other human beings were put on the earth merely to serve her. The way she speaks to people disturbs him; she angered him yesterday with her behaviour towards Angela. Serena had apologised to her before leaving for London, but it was hardly heartfelt.

Her temper scares him, too. He had tried to finish with her a couple of months ago and that hadn’t ended well. Accompanied by ear-splitting screeching, she had simply started lobbing random objects at him - not unlike yesterday, in fact. It appeared that that kind of behaviour was becoming a habit. She had followed up with the inevitable tears, threatening all manner of harm to herself if he left her, so eventually he had agreed to stay with her and give it more time. He hadn’t really known what else to do.

She had promised not to work so many hours and to spend more time with him. The opposite of what he actually wanted.

Of course it never happened; Serena was a law unto herself. As soon as she had him back on the hook she reverted to type as if nothing had happened.

Kieran hadn’t bothered to get out of the relationship again. It wasn’t that important to him. The sex was great when they met up and he only had to see her once a month anyway.

Serena wasn’t one for keeping in touch, though she expected him to be available when she was. It really was a one way relationship which, for the last few months, hadn’t been that much of a problem as it sort of suited his lifestyle. He could deal with her tantrums... but now there was Mollie.

Kieran decided he wanted out of his relationship with Serena for good. He had hoped quietly that she would get bored of him and do the dumping but that hadn’t happened. In fact, she seemed more determined than ever. She had even mentioned marriage and babies, which was disturbing to say the least, especially considering that they had only actually seen each other seven or eight times in total since February. They weren’t exactly Posh and Becks.

So now he was paying for his cowardice. He should have stuck to his guns and binned her off. He should have taken his chance yesterday - would he get another?

He had zero chance of getting together with Mollie if he didn’t get rid of Serena, leaving the field wide open for Jack and his extravagant gifts.

He briefly thought that Mollie would surely tell Jack to stick the presents, but she hadn’t, had she? She had kept the flowers, but would she keep the car? Kieran could only assume that she would. What girl wouldn’t want to accept a gift of that enormity and Jack was hardly a munter. Kieran liked to think that Mollie would return the car. He didn’t have her pegged as that type of girl, but how could you tell?

Jack had also invited Mollie and her family to the dinner party on Saturday, which was just great. An entire evening watching Jack drool over Mollie, how the hell was he going to cope with that?

He needed to speak to her about the job as well and that was the reason for his phone call today. The rest of the staff will be returning on Monday and he could do with Mollie picking up where she’d left off. He has put together a good proposal for her but maybe that isn’t enough. He thinks it may need something else.

He’s supposed to be up in Leeds on Tuesday, his mother is off to Paris and Jack is useless at that sort of thing. Megan works in their main office and she has enough to do. If he can’t get Mollie to reconsider, his plans for keeping the Hall as a home would be under threat. It could take months to find a suitable replacement for her.
Bloody Hell, what a mess!

Chapter 25

After the phone conversation with Jack, Mollie leaves the house informing her over- excited parents that they had better get a grip on themselves and that they would all need to go shopping. Lindy starts shrieking and jumping around again. Mollie decides enough is enough, as they are driving her daft. She decides to get away from them and to visit Lou, not that she is expecting any less exuberant behaviour from her. As she shoots down the drive she says over her shoulder, “I’m off to Lou’s. You had better let Dan and Julie know.”

Lou is diving around her kitchen, Lindy style, whilst Mollie sips her tea and waits for her to calm down. Eventually she stops and, planting both hands on the breakfast bar, she gazes in wonder at Mollie. “This is unbelievable, can you believe this?” she asks breathlessly as she shakes her head in disbelief.

“I can, yes. I’ve already met her,” Mollie says in a bored tone.

“What?” Lou shrieks at her, causing Mollie to wince at the volume.

“What do you mean, you’ve already met her? When? Why didn’t you tell me? Jesus Mollie, I can’t believe it.” Lou stares at her with wide eyes.

“Sorry, I was sworn to secrecy. I met her at the Hall on Sunday. From the little I saw, she’s a bit of a bitch, to be honest..”

Not strictly fair, she knows, as Serena had been led to believe that Mollie and Kieran were up to no good.
Blimey what would she be like if she actually knew Mollie had snogged her boyfriend? Twice.

“Don’t be daft, of course she’s a bitch. She’s a bloody superstar, isn’t she? Surely that’s a perk of the job,” Lou states matter of factly.

Mollie shrugs, “I suppose so.”

“Come on then, spill the beans. What’s she like? What’s she like with Kieran? How long have they been together? Does it bother you? I know you like him Moll, not as much as Jack though, eh?” Lou is gagging for gossip.

Mollie feels bad. She hasn’t actually told Lou very much at all since Friday night. It’s probably time to fill in her best mate on the details.

An hour later the women have moved onto the wine and Lou is boggling at Mollie’s confession.

“Bloody Hell Moll, you’ve been packing a bit in haven’t you?” Lou shakes her head. “So, what are you going to do? Are you going to go out with Jack, or not?” she asks, a tinge of hope in her voice.

Mollie laughs at her. “No you feel free to have a go, Lou. I’ve been there. Jack is too childish for me, I’d end up murdering him. He’d be perfect for you, though,” she says with a laugh.

“Oi bitch, that’ll do. As it turns out I couldn’t give a toss if he’s childish or not. I think he’s flipping gorgeous. The fact that he’s a squillionaire obviously helps. I would have been in there last weekend if it weren’t for Florrie, the bitch. Trouble was, I was so pissed I couldn’t be bothered to argue but I’m happy to have another crack at him. He won’t know what’s hit him. Oh and you could send the car in my direction. I wouldn’t say no.”

Mollie laughs at her. “You are not having the car. It’s going back. When you’ve drawn Jack into your web of lust you can get him to buy you one of your own.”

“Of course I can! You’re right. Maybe two?” She strikes a pose and gives a pout. Mollie sniggers.

Lou grabs the wine bottle and begins to top up their large glasses. Mollie goes quiet and watches her thoughtfully. Mollie thinks that Lou and Jack would actually be good for each other; they’re both pretty wild and badly behaved. More of a Bonnie and Clyde combination than Romeo and Juliet, but even so. They would certainly have a lot of fun together. Question is how did Mollie reconfigure Jack’s mindset from getting it on with her to getting it on with Lou? It shouldn’t be too difficult. Mollie has three years’ experience and knowledge of the man and it is blatantly obvious to her that Jack hasn’t changed at all. He is just richer and older. The Jack she knew is well and truly still at home.

Lou waves her hand in front of Mollie’s face making her jump. “Hellooo! You in there?” Mollie drags her thoughts back to Lou and pays attention. “Sorry, what did you say?”

Lou sighs, “I said we so have to go shopping tomorrow. I have to look amazing. Oh and we need hair, nails, head to toe beauty in fact. I’ll ring and make an appointment for both of us on Saturday. You up for it?” Lou is, as usual, getting carried away.

“Go on then, what the hell? But you had better make an appointment for four, that’s unless mum hasn’t already been on the phone,” Mollie tells her with an air of resignation.

“Oooooo, I am so excited. I’m phoning Tia now; she can come to yours. If she brings Alice with her, they’ll get us all sorted.” Lou rubs her hands together and grabs the kitchen phone. Taking a business card from her notice board she dials the number of their mobile hairdresser/beautician.

“Remember Lou, be discreet. You can tell her we’re going to the Hall for dinner, but you can’t mention Serena.”

“Yea, yea, I’ve got it. Hi Tia, yea it’s Lou…”

Mollie tunes out of the babbling conversation. They’ll be lucky if Tia can fit them in at this short notice anyway.

While Lou is babbling Mollie takes the opportunity to return to her thoughts of Jack and exactly how she can get him and Lou together.

As she sits quietly pondering, a thought strikes her so suddenly that it causes her to snort loudly with laughter. “Eureka!” she says out loud.

Lou peers at her suspiciously over her shoulder, the phone still at her ear.

It’s brilliant! I am a genius!
Mollie claps her hands in delight.

Lou ends the call after gaining a promise that Tia will come to Lindy’s on Saturday morning at eight thirty. She had to promise extra cash to persuade her to move Mrs Edginham’s blue rinse, her only client on Saturday, but it was worth it.

She puts down the phone and moves slowly back to Mollie, keeping her look of suspicion in place.

“What’s going on in that head of yours?” she asks.

Mollie gives her a mischievous grin, “Well Mrs, if you must know, I’ve come up with an evil plan to net you the glorious Jack.”

Lou squeals, “Really? Tell me, immediately.”

“We’re going to play a little game with him and I am going to enjoy every minute of it. After all, I owe him from years back.”

“I’m in. What’s the plan?” Lou is leaning across the breakfast bar eagerly, paying full attention.

Mollie’s eyes dance, “I am going to scare him witless, you are going to drive him crazy and between us we’ll have him panting like a dog at your feet.”

Lou frowns at her, “That’s the plan?”

“Yep,” Mollie confirms.

“How exactly are we going to carry that out?”

“It’s easy. You see, Jack has decided, overnight I may add, that he is suddenly in love with me.” Lou’s face falls and Mollie continues quickly, “But he isn’t.” Lou’s face brightens again.

“He isn’t?” she asks hopefully.

“Nope, he isn’t,” Mollie is adamant.

Lou is still leaning over the bar and intrigued, “How do you know? How can you possibly know that?”

“Simples, I know Jack. The only reason he has decided that he’s in love with me is because he knows I’m not into him. He also knows that I am quite into Kieran. Jack always wants what he can’t have and that, my friend, is the key.”

Mollie sits back and leans against the back of her bar stool triumphantly.

Lou also sits back, though a little more subdued. She looks at Mollie’s face, “You are basing the whole plan on that statement?”

“Yep,” Mollie states.

Lou shakes her head, “I don’t get it.”

Mollie sighs, “I’m going to put my plan into action tonight and carry it on until Saturday night. Jack is about to get a full on charm offensive. I’m going to bombard him with needy texts and phone calls, and I may even send him some gifts. I’m going to declare undying love and by the time I’m finished with Jack Murphy he is going to believe that I want to marry him and have his babies. Trust me, Jack will run a mile.” Mollie regards Lou smugly.