She had a list of jobs that needed to be done this morning for Miranda and David’s wedding but as she started mentally running through it she felt a twinge of panic followed by guilt. Libby hadn’t given David a second thought since Miranda had carted him off to the hospital yesterday. She’d been so wrapped up in thinking about the kiss with Guy that she’d forgotten to check on her clients! Just as she was about to text Miranda for an update there was a continuous and somewhat frantic knock on the front door.
Taking a quick peep out of the window, she saw Flynn pacing up and down the porch. Libby took a quick glance around the room, glad she’d moved Julia’s wedding outfit into the bedroom last night. The last thing she wanted was for Flynn to stumble on his future bride’s outfit when it was meant to be a surprise for both of them.
‘Where’s the fire?’ Libby asked, opening the door wide.
‘Everyone is talking about it.’
Libby had no clue what Flynn meant. ‘Talking about what? What’s going on?’ she asked, confused.
‘I’ve just been for my early morning walk to the village shop where I overheard a bunch of tourists talking about Starcross Manor and some sort of accident on the ice last night. Then I bumped into Meredith and she told me that last night there were rumours circulating in the pub that there had been a freak accident at the ice rink and because there was no first-aider or any health and safety measures in place, a man had to go to hospital.’
‘I’m so sorry, Flynn, it totally slipped my mind to tell you. We did have a minor mishap last night.’
‘My phone hasn’t stopped ringing. Even Drew was on to me first thing asking what happened. Whatdidhappen?’
Libby took a breath. ‘I promise it was nothing too major but David slipped on the ice during filming. Miranda wasn’t happy because of the lack of first-aiders on hand and she drove him to hospital to get checked out, in case it was something more serious than what it initially appeared to be.’
‘And you didn’t tell me this because…?’
‘Because I wanted a chance to try and make things right with Meredith and David before telling you. But it wasn’t a freak accident as such. David attempted a pirouette and he fell over, landing on his shoulder.’
‘Are you sure there’s nothing more to it? Because the rumours are making it sound worse than that and the suggestion is that the staff at Starcross Manor are incompetent at best and negligent at worst.’
‘I give you my word. It was a minor accident and I’m sure he’s going to be fine.’
‘If these rumours get out of hand it can have an effect on business. I’m thinking of nipping it in the bud and putting a statement out.’
‘I’d suggest you don’t fuel the fire. Let’s see how David is first. If you put a statement out now it could possibly spark more interest and it’ll keep people talking about something that really isn’t anything to worry about. It’s just a misunderstanding that’s been exaggerated.’
Flynn thought for a second. ‘Yes, you’re probably right.’
‘You have nothing to worry about. Like I said, you can see the footage for yourself.’
‘I just don’t want these rumours to spread on social media as then they can circulate like wildfire.’
‘I’ll give Miranda a ring and get an update.’
‘Thank you. I’m still getting an uneasy feeling about this competition. It seems like it’s been doomed from the start.’
‘And you still haven’t been able to locate the application forms?’
Flynn shook his head. ‘There’s something that just doesn’t feel right to me.’
‘I’m sure there’s nothing to worry about and everything will be plain sailing from now on.’
Flynn didn’t look convinced.
Libby’s phone pinged and Miranda’s name flashed up on the screen. ‘It’s a text from Miranda.’
Flynn stared at the phone. ‘What does it say?’
The hospital confirmed that David’s shoulder was bruised. He will be resting for the next couple of days.
Libby read out the text then looked at Flynn. ‘At least it’s not broken. No one will think a bruised shoulder is anything to worry or get up in arms about. And let’s not forget it was his choice to attempt a pirouette. We can’t be held responsible for that.’
‘Yes, you’re right,’ Flynn said, looking relieved. ‘Let’s hope that’s the end of it … but if you hear anything else, you’ll let me know, right?’
‘Of course, but I think it’s gossip that will die down very quickly.’
