Page 47 of Hollywood Games
‘Well, we are surrounded by incredibly beautiful women,’ said Brad, raising his glass and looking appreciatively around him. ‘Wouldn’t you agree, my lord?’
Rory smiled tightly, and nodded, staring at Zoe. ‘I’m afraid I haven’t seen any evidence of pixies, ghosts, or my ancestors around the castle, so will remain a sceptic,’ he replied.
Vlad tossed back another mouthful of wine. ‘But of course. You are new to the cycle of birth and rebirth, a young soul. Simple, naïve, ignorant. This is your first life in human form. You cannot understand what Kirsten, Brad, Zoe and the countess do.’
Kirsten turned to Rory. ‘You see, my lord, how incredible he is, and why this film was fated to be made here.’
Whilst this exchange went on, Barbara discretely signalled Clive, who ordered his staff to take the soup bowls away. ‘How fascinating,’ said Barbara. ‘I do believe they are bringing out the next course. What should we be expecting, Miss Bjorkstrom?’
Kirsten was easily deflected back to the topic of her meal, explaining they were about to eat a lentil and coconut curry with rice and a dairy-free fermented cashew and cucumber raita. After the food had been presented, Clive brought in an enormous tomahawk steak on the bone, which he set in front of Rory. Thirty-nine sets of eyes swivelled around to stare at him, thirty-seven of which were openly appreciative, one appraising and the other horrified.
‘But, but, you’re eating meat!’ squawked Kirsten.
‘Yes,’ replied Rory. ‘I don’t eat plants.’
He sliced a chunk off and put it in his mouth. A sigh went around the table as everyone watched. Kirsten spluttered and looked at Vlad.
He cleared his throat. ‘You will get heart disease and cancer. It will rot your intestines and make you weak,’ he intoned, as if prophesying.
Rory flashed him a smile. ‘Fancy an arm wrestle?’
Valentina let out a peal of laughter and Vlad turned away, calling behind him for more wine, then directing his attention to Kirsten.
For the rest of the meal Rory and Vlad pretended the other didn’t exist. Brad and Barbara steered the conversation along when it flagged, engaging those around them, independently or as a team. Zoe sat and watched how happy and alive she seemed, even directing the odd friendly comment at her. Barbara’s cheeks were pink and her eyes bright.
Then Zoe saw them widen and her body jump ever so slightly.
She looked at Brad, sitting next to her, and noticed his left arm was under the table.
Holy shit! Was he touching Barbara? She saw a subtle movement of Brad’s arm as if he was stroking something, and the flush in Barbara’s cheeks heighten. Zoe glanced at Rory, finishing off his steak, kicked off her shoe, and ran her foot up his leg. There was no way in hell she could let him see what might be going on. The distraction worked. Rory’s eyes shot up, burning with fire, his attention entirely on her. Now she just needed to keep it up and her peripheral vision on what on earth Brad was doing with her potential mother-in-law.
The rest of the meal was excruciating. There were three more courses, including an avocado and medjoul date mousse, soy ice cream, and cashew ‘cheese’ on linseed crackers. Zoe’s digestive system was taking a battering as the food fermented inside her, blowing her stomach up like a balloon. In addition, she was trying to keep Rory’s attention whilst Vlad tried to monopolise her, talking about her past lives and pixies, and also keep an eye on Brad and Barbara. By the time the coffee and raw chocolates were brought out, her face was white with pain.
Rory leaned forward. ‘What’s up?’
‘My tummy is in agony. It’s so painful I don’t think I can move.’
‘Would a hot bath help?’
‘Probably, but we don’t have one,’ she said through gritted teeth, her gut spasming.
‘Let’s stay here tonight. I’ve banked the Rayburn and sorted out Basil. Bandit’s with Charlie. I’ll run you a bath. We’ve done our duty here.’ She nodded at him, and he stood to address their end of the table. ‘Please excuse us and continue your evening, Zoe is not feeling well.’
‘What’s wrong?’ Valentina asked.
Zoe tried to smile. ‘I’ve got a bit of a tummy ache. I think I just need to lie down.’
‘Oh, I get bloating all the time,’ said Kirsten. ‘You need a peppermint tea and a massage from His Holiness. He’s trained in Howanda massage. It draws out toxins.’
Vlad raised his hands. ‘I will come to your room and give you my healing touch.’
‘That won’t be necessary,’ said Rory brusquely, putting his arm around Zoe and ushering her away.
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Rory had held back one of the rooms for them to use which was en suite with a freestanding roll-top bath. By the time they reached the landing at the top of the stairs, Zoe was hunched over in agony. Rory lifted her up and carried her to the room and onto the bed. He took off her shoes, and covered her with the counterpane as she lay on her side in a foetal position.
