Dear God, she really did need pampering.
‘Hmm, how about something a tad more adventurous?’ he said gently, passing her the brochure.
Chapter 4
Rory was reaching fever pitch. He was used to pressure, but not so publicly as this. Wherever he went people were either congratulating or challenging him, be it at work, home or just out and about. Journalists started to follow him. A small camera crew had set up quarters in Goldgate Square, wanting to catch the most up-to-date news on the activists, or any sight of the barrister representing them.
Of course Rory had invited the publicity. It’s what he fully intended – to get the climate issue plastered on the front of every newspaper and on TV screens. But he hadn’t quite anticipated the attention it would bring to him personally.
It was starting to impact on his everyday life. He couldn’t go out of his flat without being confronted. He struggled to get out of the chambers too and had even taken to disguising his appearance by wearing dark glasses, a beanie hat and exchanging his smart black overcoat for a denim jacket.
The whole episode was creating quite a stir. An uncomfortable atmosphere hovered in the chambers. Rooms went silent each time he entered them, followed by smirks, awkward coughs and occasionally the odd snigger. It seemed everyone had an opinion. The commotion had split into two camps. Rory was either a ‘warrior for the earth’, acting as a champion for the climate, or he was ‘an irresponsible, arrogant showman’, fighting a losing battle. Which camp his own chambers officially fell in remained to be seen. Truth be told, they were all watching and waiting for a sign from their Head, Nigel Kerfoot, to take the lead and show them what the party line actually was. But their Head of Chambers was a slippery eel who hadn’t decided himself. For he, as ever, was desperate to keep Goldgate Chambers in the best possible light. If Rory won the pending court case, then he would be cast a star, an absolute trooper for the climate cause. But, if Rory lost, then he would undoubtedly have tarnished them all with irreparable damage. Rory Molloy would forever be linked to Goldgate Chambers – they’d never shake him off, soiled by association. It was a real quandary. So following his instincts – if in doubt, do nothing – Nigel Kerfoot was waiting like the rest.
In the meantime, tensions were rising and Rory was suffering. He hadn’t slept much, he was drinking more and was in need of a break. He knew the activists had started tunnelling beneath Goldgate. A number of the protesters were digging, while the rest were busy creating a commotion on Goldgate Square, to deflect attention. How did he know this? Because that’s what he had advised. Rory had deliberately chosen Goldgate Square as the best place to summon up the most interest. It was busy, easily accessible and not far from where the proposed dual carriageway was to run. More importantly, it housed his chambers. Rory wanted the cameras to witness him enter Goldgate Chambers and give the activists credence, so they could be taken seriously. Seeing a barrister defend them would give gravitas and make it less likely for them to be treated as a ‘bunch of hippies’ making a nuisance of themselves.
The tunnellers were in Goldgate Gardens, positioned at the far rear of the square, behind a stone wall, where part of the new road would cover. Once it became apparent, the construction company would step in with measures to stop them. They would take legal action, aggravated trespass for a start, possibly criminal damage. Rory needed to be ready when they did. He’d spent days (and nights) preparing for it, weighed under by the stress of potentially letting down the protesters. He had convinced them that he could fight their corner, not that they had been inundated with top-class barristers representing them free of charge. But even so, he had an obligation and was anxious to fulfil it to the very best of his ability. He wasn’t scared about losing face, because for him he never could. Despite what anybody else might label him, he firmly believed in his actions. Technically, Goldgate Chambers couldn’t throw him out on his ear, but they could make things so difficult for him that he’d choose to leave. So what? he thought. He wouldn’t want to work for such an organisation in any event.
It was at times like this he envied Adira. At least she did have the gumption to up sticks and leave. And look how happy she was now! His thoughts turned to her and Jasper’s summer party – and more importantly the girl he’d met there. Cassie. He hated the fact she’d got under his skin. Even worse, he hated the fact she was off limits. She had a boyfriend and Rory, being the gentleman he was, had quietly walked away, but that hadn’t stopped him looking her up on the hotel’s website.
Rory stared at his screen. The office was empty. Nowadays he purposely waited until later when it was quiet outside to leave the chambers. Tapping the keyboard, he was soon on the Inn at Lilacwell’s webpage. He sat back and admired the view. Such an idyllic setting. What he wouldn’t give for a piece of that.
The Inn at Lilacwell is an old-fashioned rural Inn, welcoming to all, providing 23 bedrooms of
some glamour, seriously good local ingredients cooked well and a noteworthy selection of
drinks. We aim to offer a relaxed and friendly service.
He longed to breathe clean, country air and not the relentless smog of the city. His limbs ached to stretch out and run through the verdant forests, up grassy hills and along clear running streams. His body also ached for something else and holding that thought, he opened the team page. There she was, Cassie Wright, assistant manager smiling at him. Not for the first time he gazed at her pretty, freckled face, her natural grin, those sparkling green eyes and cute, sexy cropped hair which emphasised her elegant neck. Whoever the boyfriend was, he was a lucky bastard. He went on the hotel’s news tab and scanned through it. He chuckled to himself at seeing Adira, posing next to Jasper, from back when the Inn had opened their beauty treatment rooms and Adira had helped get them off the ground.
Then another thought came to him. He should go and visit her. He’d value her opinion on his work, plus he could really do with a good chat, to offload and talk about the current situation. Who better than Adira? He trusted her implicitly, and she knew the line of business he was in. She, more than anyone, would understand the strain he was under. The more he considered it, the better the idea became. The last time he was in Lilacwell, he had stayed on Adira and Jasper’s glamping site, in a shepherds hut, which had been great but looking at the Inn at Lilacwell, Rory decided he fancied a bit of luxury. Medicinal purposes, he told himself, recharging his batteries before the court case. Yes, that’s the reason. Of course it was. He went back on the team page for another look at Cassie, then without any hesitation proceeded to book himself a room. Sorted. He was returning to Lilacwell.
Chapter 5
Cassie had just completed the staff rotas. After printing them out she made her way to reception, passing one of the housekeeping staff, who was just finishing a phone call.
‘Hi, Lisa. Everything OK?’
‘Yes thanks.’ She gently patted her slightly rounded stomach.
‘Starting to show now.’ Cassie smiled at Lisa’s action and the glow that had lit her eyes from the day she’d found out she was pregnant.
‘I know!’ she beamed.
‘Take it easy though, won’t you? Remember, no heavy lifting and more breaks.’
‘Yes, don’t worry, I’m being sensible,’ confirmed Lisa. Too right she was – she and her husband had been desperate to start a family a few years ago, but it just wasn’t happening. Then, when Adira had arrived in Lilacwell and made a name for herself with her natural herbal remedies, which had healed many an ailment, Lisa had decided to approach her. After all, thought Lisa, what had she to lose?
Now here she was, five months pregnant. Of course, Lisa knew it could have been a lot less straightforward, with fertility tests and goodness knows what else. But they had managed to succeed without such procedures, and for that she was thankful. Very thankful. Off the scale thankful, actually. She couldn’t help but walk around with a smile permanently fixed on her face – so much so that Lisa’s cheekbones ached (along with her back).
Cassie left Lisa to take another call and entered the reception room, which also doubled up as The Vintners, a gift shop selling wine that the hotel stocked as well as toiletries that the Inn used, and various other goods connected to shooting and fishing, which were popular activities in the area.
‘Ah, Cassie, I just need to show our guests to their room,’ said one of the staff from behind the reception desk.
‘No problem, I’ll man the fort,’ she replied. Cassie busied herself tidying various bits of paperwork, then took a phone call for a booking. She opened the e-diary on the computer and completed the entries. On doing so, a name flashed before her, causing a sharp intake of breath. Rory Molloy. Rory was staying here? She leant forward and squinted her eyes. Opening them slowly confirmed that yes, he was. There, in black and white it read Rory Molloy, not once, but three times. He was staying three nights – Friday, Saturday and Sunday this week. Today was Wednesday, two days before he was due to arrive. Her heart started to thud in her chest. Why was Rory coming to Lilacwell and why was he staying at the Inn and not with Adira and Jasper? She pressed her lips and tried to concentrate on another guest wanting to buy wine.
‘Which red would you recommend?’ asked a lady pointing to the shelves lined with rows and rows of bottles.
The first one you see, thought Cassie, and leave me in peace.
