Page 57 of Hollywood Games
‘It was medieval madness in Scotland today, as Rory MacGinley, the 14th Earl of Kinloch threatened to kill Hollywood superstar Brad Bauer. After issuing his death threat and throwing Mr Bauer in a freezing loch, he left with Oscar-winning actress Kirsten Bjorkstrom. We can only guess what happened next,’ came the enthusiastic voice of the newsreader. ‘And now, for all the details, over to our Scottish correspondent, Giles Locklear.’
The picture changed to Giles, standing in front of a generic image of the Scottish Highlands, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down with excitement at his big break. Rory’s jaw hung slack, all his dreams of a quiet and peaceful life shattered.
‘That’s right, Sarah,’ said Giles, ‘Brad Bauer, Kirsten Bjorkstrom and Valentina Valverde are in Kinloch, Scotland at the moment, filming Braveheart 2 which Brad is producing, writing and directing. But who knew the real drama would happen off-camera?’
Giles continued, outlining the pedigree of Brad, Kirsten and Valentina as the screen filled with red carpet press shots. The story then turned to Rory and the castle, using the photos Zoe had taken for the website. They highlighted his time in the army and the special forces, making him out to be a cross between a stripper and an assassin. ‘We understand the film crew have been here at least a month now, and their presence has caused anger in the local community.’ Footage now appeared of Jock complaining to the local press, followed by Rory breaking down Mrs McCreedie’s front door and rescuing her. He groaned.
‘Oh, it gets worse,’ said Charlie.
‘But it would appear that love has struck the colossus of Kinloch, in the form of Hollywood royalty, Kirsten Bjorkstrom.’ Giles continued talking, as the press shots taken of Brad and Kirsten in the great hall flashed up, with Kirsten made up to look exactly like Zoe. The screen then cut to footage taken that afternoon at the cabin. The photographer must have had the longest lens in the world as the images were crystal clear. The camera was focused on Brad and Zoe on the dock, but then panned sharply right as Rory ran down the hill. It panned back to the dock to capture Brad kissing Zoe, then back to Rory thundering towards them. As well as a powerful lens, the photographer had a powerful microphone and there was no mistaking Rory’s words as he yelled ‘Get out of my way! I’m going to fucking kill him!’ Followed by, ‘If you touch her again, I’ll kill you’.
Rory shook his head as he saw his arm go around Zoe’s shoulder and walk her away from the loch. When the screen came back to Giles, he was looking a little hot under the collar. Rory sighed. The whole incident was a journalist’s fantasy. It had Hollywood superstars, a love triangle, fighting, death threats, aristocracy, and he was even wearing a kilt. Sarah and Giles discussed whether the police would get involved, if Kirsten and Rory would marry at the castle or in Malibu, and if Rory got his strength from the castle’s famous spiced shortbread. Rory turned the television off and sat down heavily in a chair.
‘Fuck.’
‘Like I said, mate, legend. You nearly made me go gay.’
Rory groaned again. ‘This is a snafu and a half.’
‘Isn’t any publicity better than no publicity?’
Rory looked at his friend. ‘Did you know that Mum, and… him, were…?’
Charlie shook his head. ‘I had no idea. I knew they were spending time together, but I thought your mum was doing her countess act, keeping him sweet.’
‘What am I going to do? I still want to kill him.’
‘Well, this isn’t the time or the place, and if you do that your mum will kill you. She’s pretty close at the moment anyway. Right now, you need to change into a shirt that still contains buttons, and apologise to her, and Brad.’
As Rory walked through the castle, it was clear word had spread. The women blushed even more furiously as he passed and the men either winked, or patted him on the back. As he walked with leaden feet up the main staircase, Shauna came running up behind him.
‘My lord!’ she squeaked.
‘Hey, Shauna, do you know where the countess is?’
She blushed. ‘I, er, think she may…’ She looked up the stairs towards the bedrooms. ‘Be, er, with Mr Bauer.’
He shook his head. He wasn’t going to be knocking onthatdoor.
‘Er, my lord?’
‘Yes, Shauna?’
‘I have a message for you from Zoe. She says for you to stay here, she’ll be coming back to the castle later to spend the night.’
‘Okay, thank you, Shauna.’ Shauna bobbed a quick curtsey and scuttled away. Rory’s stomach grumbled, and he made his way to the kitchen and the fridge where he kept his meat. Opening the door, Rory saw that someone else besides Charlie shared his passion for an Aberdeen Angus rib eye. There were at least eight missing. He took out a couple to cook, and whilst they were coming up to room temperature went to check out the cellar where his father’s vintage wine was kept. The padlock to the door had been broken off. He went back to the workshop to get his tools and secured it before texting Charlie to let him know.
After eating he went upstairs, had a bath and got into bed, staring at the canopy above him. Just a few short months ago his life had been very different. He’d been alone and the estate was facing financial ruin. Then Zoe blew in from the south and now his mother was sleeping with a Hollywood megalomaniac, and his face was plastered across the world’s media. He tried to feel down, but every time he thought of Zoe, his heart soared. He’d take a lifetime of Brad Bauers if it meant that Zoe was in his life. He looked at his watch.Where was she?He decided to wait another half hour, then he would go look for her.
An hourlater he was fast asleep. The fire had burned down in the grate and the room was dark, the only light coming from a lamp on the bedside table. Rory was in dreamland. It was high summer and he was on the glen with Zoe. The sky was bright blue, the heather vibrant purple, and the loch below them reflected the golden sun. He was with the woman he loved, in the landscape he loved. They were looking at each other and smiling. Everything was perfect. He could stay here forever. The whine of an insect broke the spell and he let go of Zoe’s hand to slap it away. He could hear it buzzing in his ear.Fuck off!He shook his head and ran his fingers through his hair, trying to dislodge or destroy it, whichever was quicker and got him back to Zoe paradise.
The dream began to break up, sunshine snapping to darkness, the warm air on his skin changing to the sheets on the bed. As his consciousness pulled him back into reality, he realised Zoe was back, and was next to him, stroking his hair and calling to him. But even though he was half asleep, something wasn’t right. Her voice was too high pitched and whiny, her fingers too small and cold. Adrenaline shot through him and he turned his head.
‘Zoe?’
A mass of red curls confused him, before he focused on the elfin face.
‘Yes, my lord?’ Kirsten Bjorkstrom replied.
