Divided Loyalties (17 page)

He escorted Chelsea towards the bar and while he waited for Dolores to organise their drinks he noticed everyone turning their heads to look at something and he craned his neck to see what was drawing so much attention.

“Jesus Christ, Rachel Maguire,” he smiled.

She looked even more incredible than he remembered, her slinky body encased in a tight black dress, hair left long and loose.  But the best thing was that the pain in her eyes had gone.  Clearly Devon had done her the power of good.

“Hello Ryan,” she smiled.

She leaned in to hug him and her scent filled his head.  All the old longing he’d tried to eradicate in her absence hit him like a freight train.

“It’s good to have you back,” he said, kissing her cheek.  “You’ve been missed.”

“It’s good to be back.  How’s tricks?”

“Incredibly boring without you around.  Please say you’re back for good?”

“I am.”

“Wonderful,” he smiled, elated.

He realised he was still hugging her and reluctantly relinquished his grip.  Then he remembered Chelsea stood by his side, who was suddenly very unappealing.  “Rachel, this is Chelsea,” he introduced reluctantly.

“Girlfriend?” said Rachel.

“Yeah,” he mumbled.

“Oh.  Nice to meet you.”

Ryan could have sworn that her smile faltered for a second but it might have been his imagination.

“You too Mrs Maguire,” replied Chelsea politely.

“Fuck me, Rach is back,” called a voice.

“Mikey,” she beamed.

She flung her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly.  “Missed me?”

“Like crazy.  How’s Leah?”

“She’s great.  You won’t believe how big she is now.  Beth’s looking after her, she said Alex is here.”

“He’s in the office.”

“Good.  I’d like to talk to all three of you if you don’t mind?”

“No problem,” replied Ryan eagerly.

“I’ll wait here, shall I?” Chelsea called after him as he followed Mikey and Rachel to the stairs.

Rachel walked into her office to find Alex sat at her desk, pouring over some paperwork.  He looked up when she entered and grinned.

“Bloody hell, this is a surprise,” he said, getting to his feet to embrace her.

“A welcome surprise?”

“Course.”  He smiled down at her and took her hands.  “How are you feeling?”

“Pretty good.  Devon was very healing.”

“I’m glad.  Are you ready to return to work?  No one can run this place like you.”

“Actually that’s what I wanted to talk to you all about.”

Alex indicated for her to sit in her chair.

“I want to branch out into other things, namely the spa Danny wanted us to get.”

She could say his name now without a lump forming in her throat but it still caused her a stab of pain, it always would.

They all appeared surprised.

“Good on you Rach,” said Mikey.

“Thank you.  So, with the clubs and this new business I won’t have much time for anything else.”

“You mean, you want out?” said Alex.

“Yes.  Danny’s death made me take stock of my life.  If something was to happen to me Leah would be left an orphan.  I can’t risk that.  She’s my priority now.”

“Are you saying you want out of the family too?” said Alex a little darkly.

“No, I love being a Maguire.  I just want to concentrate on more legitimate businesses.  It’s what Danny wanted for me.”

Alex‘s expression softened and he nodded.  “Can I speak to Rachel in private?” he said, looking at Ryan and Mikey.

“We’ll get the drinks in,” said Mikey as he followed Ryan out the door.

When they’d gone Alex regarded her so seriously she experienced a thrill of fear.  Although he was her brother-in-law and she loved him he was still a very dangerous man.

“You should be taking over Rachel, you’re the best for the role.”

“No I’m not.  You were Danny’s second and his natural successor.”

“I’m not up to it after Terry and Jake…”

“You are.  Look at how you handled everything after Danny’s death.  You kept it all going while I fell to pieces.  I couldn’t have got through it without you, none of us could.  Despite your own grief you were the one who fended off the vultures when we were weak.  Forget Terry, it was Frank who found him out, not me or Danny and they’d both be proud of who you are.  I’ve never told you this before and I should have but I was all over the place.  One of the last things Danny said to me in that restaurant was that he wanted you to take over.  He said you lacked confidence in yourself when you shouldn’t.  He thought you were more suitable to run the businesses than he was.  You’re the head of the family now, you have been for the last year and from what I’ve heard doing a bang up job too.”

It was what he needed to hear.  Danny and his dad valued her opinion and so did he. 

“Thanks Rach.”

“You don’t mind me getting out then?”

“No.  You were dragged into this world and I understand why you don’t want to be a part of it anymore.  The clubs will always be yours and I hope you’ll keep the Maguire name above the door, it’s what Dad wanted and as far as I’m concerned, you’ll always be one of us.”

She grasped his hands.  “The clubs will always be a part of this family, just like me.”

“Stop it, you’ll have me in tears,” he grinned, making her smile.  “I’ve been talking to Beth and Mum and they said I should point out that none of us will have a problem if you find someone else.  You’re still young and Leah needs a father figure.”

“I’m not ready for that yet,” she said quietly

“But you will be one day.  We don’t expect you to stay single forever.”

“Thanks Alex, I feel so much better.”

“Don’t ever be afraid to come to me with anything Rach.”

She hugged him tightly.  “Thanks.”

“Come on, let’s get a drink and we can discuss this spa idea.”

Rachel and Alex returned downstairs to join Mikey, Ryan and Chelsea at the bar.  Chelsea hung off Ryan’s arm looking blond and gorgeous and Rachel had to swallow down the thick knot of jealousy.  To take her mind off it she decided to get drunk.  Well wishers came up to say how good it was to have her back and bought her drink after drink but she’d always had a high tolerance for alcohol and it didn‘t seem to affect her very much. 

Ryan wished Chelsea would piss off, he’d suddenly lost all interest in her but he didn’t want to be cruel, she was sweet and her only failing was not being Rachel Maguire.  He was glad when she went to the bathroom, giving him time to speak to Rachel alone.

“So, how long have you been seeing her?” said Rachel a little tipsily.

“A couple of months.”

“Is it serious?”

“No, you know me.”

“I enjoyed our chats when I was in Devon.”

“Me too but I’d much rather have them in the flesh.”

Rachel noted that he’d reverted back to his old flirtatious way of talking to her, the one he’d used before she was widowed and she liked it.

“There’s no reason why we can’t, is there?”

“I don’t see why not.”

“You’re a good friend Ryan.”

She intended it to have a deeper meaning but he failed to get it and sighed inwardly. 

Friend. 
Is that all he’d ever be?

CHAPTER 17

Rachel gazed up at her old home apprehensively, glad that she didn’t have to spend another night in it.  She’d rented a lovely three bedroomed detached house for her and Leah until she could find somewhere more permanent.

Stepping inside she was overwhelmed with sadness.  This was the house Frank bought for her and Danny when she fell pregnant with the child she ended up miscarrying.  She’d fallen in love with it the moment she set foot inside but now it held too many bad memories.  She walked into the living room where Benton first attacked her then into the kitchen where Danny almost bled to death after Terry stabbed him.  Upstairs was the bedroom where Benton shot her and confessed he killed her husband and she felt sick. 

Danny’s presence had dissipated, as though now she’d recovered he’d decided it was time to move on.  There was nothing left for her here anymore.

“Bye Babe,” she said quietly, taking one last look before shutting the door. 

She drove to the estate agents and dropped off the keys.  That part of her life was over.  It was time to look to the future.

After picking up Leah from Beth’s, Rachel pulled up outside Martina’s, who rushed out to greet her.

“Rachel,” she exclaimed, hugging her tightly.  “Christ girl I’ve missed you.”

“I missed you too.”

“And how’s my little granddaughter?”

Rachel picked Leah up out of the back seat and Martina smothered her with kisses.  Leah looked up at her uncertainly with her big blue eyes.

“She doesn’t remember me,” said Martina sadly.

“She will soon,” assured Rachel.

“Yeah.  Come on in, everyone’s here.”

They walked in to find Alfie charging about the room.  When he saw a playmate in Leah he pointed at her eagerly.  Rachel kissed her daughter’s cheek and set her down.  She toddled up to her one year old cousin, who was equally unsteady on his legs and Alfie led her off to play in the corner with a huge pile of toys.

“Did you hand over the keys to the house?” said Martina, handing Rachel a cup of tea.

“Yeah and I feel much better for it.  I couldn’t have gone back there, too many bad memories.”

“Of course you couldn’t.  Frank would understand.  We haven’t seen your new place yet.”

“It’s just about ready now.  I was going to invite you all for dinner one night next week so you can have a good look.”

“Sounds nice Love.”

“Guess what I’ve heard?” said Alex.

“What?” replied Rachel.

“The Harmony Spa is up for sale.”

“That’s the one Danny was interested in,” she said quietly.

“It’s in a bad way but that means you’ll get it at a knock down price.”

“It used to be a lovely place, I used to go there myself,” interjected Martina.  “How come its gone downhill so quickly?”

“The owner was using the profits to keep his other businesses floating.  He started cutting corners, getting cheap so he lost customers.  Rookie mistake, if you want to attract quality you need to spend.”

“Alright Donald Trump,” grinned Rachel.  “Will it need a lot of work?”

“It’ll need some renovation, it looks pretty rundown but its got everything you want already in place; swimming pool, sauna, restaurant, the lot.  There’s even a block outside which used to be stables that could be converted into rooms for short stays.  There’s loads of space.”

“Sounds perfect.  Is it on the market yet?”

“Not yet.  I know the owner’s brother, he’s desperate to get rid of it but there’s a property development company interested, Richard Spencer’s to be precise,” he frowned.  “So you’ll have to move fast.”

“Any chance of getting a look at it?”

“No problem. I’ll set it up.”

“Thanks Alex,” she smiled.

Martina watched this exchange with delight.  Rachel had a smile on her face and a sparkle in her eye.  Although Danny’s death had undeniably changed her she looked relaxed and full of purpose again.

By the time dinner was over Leah was hugging her gran, to Martina’s relief.

“This place is huge,” said Rachel as she and Alex walked about the empty spa.  “It’s certainly got all the space I need and more.  In fact, it could be so much more than just a spa.”

The vast building was in a lovely location on the edge of the city, not far from her new house and now she’d seen the scope of the place her imagination was stirred.

“We could do physiotherapy and exercise therapy, massage and acupuncture as well as beauty treatments.  You were right Alex, that outbuilding could be split into four cottages.  We’ll do weddings and conferences too.”  Rachel was so excited, no wonder Danny had wanted this place, it was fantastic.  “How much does your brother want?” she asked the thin bearded man showing them around.

“Five hundred thousand.”

Alex’s eyebrows shot up.  “That’s not what you told me yesterday.  Where’s the extra fifty grand come from?”

He shuffled awkwardly.  “There’s another interested party and that’s what they’re offering.  They want to turn it into flats.”

“No, that’s fair,” said Rachel when Alex looked angry.  “And does that price include all the land and outbuildings?”

“The whole lot.”

“It would be a waste to turn it into apartments,” she said.

“I agree,” said Alex.  “Give us a minute will you Brian?”

“I’ll wait outside,” he replied, sloping off with his hands in his pockets.

Alex waited until he’d gone to talk.  “So, I take it you want it?”

“Definitely.  I can afford it but it wouldn’t leave me as much as I’d like for renovations.  I need a partner.  Would you like in?”

“I appreciate the offer but I know sod all about this sort of thing.  I’m much more at home with car lots and pubs.  You need someone with contacts in the industry.  What about Ryan?  All his gyms are doing really well.”

“You wouldn’t mind?”

“Why would I?  He’s my business partner, he’s good to work with and this is your project, you can ask who you like.  And the Maguires and Laws working together on a legitimate business would be good PR.”

She arched an eyebrow.  “PR?  Are you really Alex Maguire?”

“We need to put on a strong front.  Our friends up north and down south are still watching us closely, as are our enemies here.  If they think Danny’s death has weakened us then they might come down on the side of the Laws and push us out.  A big showy expensive business venture would go a long way to dispelling that idea.”

“Makes sense.  I’m glad I’ve got your blessing though.”

“Yes you do.  Our company will do all the renovations too at a knock down price.”

“Thank you,” she beamed.

“Shall we go and talk to Brian?  Let’s see if we can knock a few grand off that price tag.”

Thanks to Alex, Brian was willing to accept Rachel’s offer of four hundred and seventy five thousand.  She left with a promise from him not to accept any other offers for two days, giving her time to talk to Ryan.  Without him she couldn’t afford to proceed. 

She met up with Ryan in the office at Martina’s Bar where they could talk privately.  The prospect of being alone with Rachel Maguire thrilled him to the core.

She wore a black blouse, black pencil skirt and what appeared to be tights but he knew were in fact stockings and a pair of black stilettos, her hair tied up.  She looked the smart businesswoman, which was just as sexy had she been naked.

“Thanks for coming Ryan,” she began.

“My pleasure.”  He took the chair on the opposite side of her desk, annoyed by the barrier.  “And what can I do for you?”

“I have a proposition.”

He arched an eyebrow, lips curving into a smile.  “Oh yes?”

“A business proposition,” she added, returning the smile. 

“I see.  Do go on.”

“I want to open up a spa.  Gym, pool, beauty treatments, therapies, weddings, the lot.  Obviously you have a lot of experience in the gym and leisure industry.”

“I do.”

“I can’t manage such a big project alone and I wondered if you wanted to come in on it as my partner?”

Yes please,
he thought eagerly although he maintained his poker face.  “What will Alex say about it?”

“It was his idea I ask you.  He thinks it would be good PR for the Maguires and the Laws to be seen going into a legitimate business together.”

“PR?  He certainly has changed and he’s right, it would.”

“I’ve put together a business plan,” she said, picking up a black folder off her desk.  “Here’s a breakdown of costs…”

“Christ Rachel this isn’t Dragon’s Den.  Just tell me.”

She smiled and let the folder drop back onto the desk.  “Okay.”

Ryan was very impressed as she talked.  She’d done her homework and knew her stuff.  It was a great idea and would mark her out as a serious businesswoman in her own right.  If they did it properly they could make a hell of a lot of money.  But the best thing in his opinion was the opportunity to work closely with Rachel.  For that reason alone, he was in.

“So, what do you need from me?” he said.

“Two hundred and fifty thousand.  I don’t want you to be a sleeping partner in this.  I want to work alongside you and for us to be equal partners.  You have all the know-how and the contacts in the leisure industry.”

“I want to take a look at the premises first, then I’ll make a decision.”

“Fair enough.  We can go now if you like?”

“Please.”

Any thought Brian had of accepting the offer from the other interested party went out the window when he saw Rachel Maguire’s partner was Ryan Law.  They shook hands on the deal there and then and a week later the paperwork was signed and Rachel received the keys.  The day after that Maguire Construction started work.

With a business to concentrate on, Rachel decided to find Leah a place in a nursery.  She selected a private one close to the spa.  When she arrived for the appointment with Leah in tow she worried that her notoriety might go against her but the nursery Head Teacher didn’t appear to recognise her.

Rachel set Leah down and watched her run off to play with the other children.

“She’s certainly a sociable little thing,” smiled the teacher.

“She is very confident.  When can she start?”

“Tomorrow if you like.  We usually start them off with a few taster sessions.  Bring her in for an hour tomorrow and we’ll see how she gets on then work up from there, according to how she progresses until she’s happy to stay for the entire session without you.”

Rachel nodded in agreement.

“If you pop along to the office to fill in the paperwork we’ll see you tomorrow at nine.”

“Thank you.”

However when Rachel returned the following morning she realised she might have problems.  All the other parents were dropping off their children and some of the mothers recognised her and whispered behind their hands.  They in turn told the mothers who didn’t know who she was and they all stared as she removed Leah’s coat and shoes.  Normally Rachel couldn’t care less what anyone thought of her but this affected her daughter.  She wanted her to make friends and have a normal life so she made an effort to smile at the women but they just stared back at her coldly or avoided her gaze altogether.  Rachel sighed inwardly.  Clearly she wasn’t going to be invited round for coffee anytime soon.

The Head Teacher was still blissfully unaware of who she was and welcomed them with open arms.

“Hello Mrs Maguire, hello Leah, would you like to do some painting?”

Leah smiled and nodded and happily toddled off to join three girls at the painting boards.  One of the young nursery nurses recognised Rachel and when she caught her staring she hastily looked away.  Rachel watched with dismay as she approached the Head Teacher and whispered in her ear.  The Head regarded her sternly before telling her something Rachel couldn’t hear.  She got a sinking feeling when the Head Teacher approached her.

“Mrs Maguire, may I have a word?”

Rachel followed her reluctantly into the now empty cloakroom, feeling like a recalcitrant child, upset that Leah was about to be rejected simply for being a Maguire.

“I have just been informed who you are,” began the Head quietly.

“Oh,” Rachel replied, downcast.

“I want you to know that it makes no difference.  Every child has the right to a full education.”

“Thank you,” she smiled, relieved.  “The rumours about me are exaggerated.  I’m just a legitimate businesswoman, that’s it.”

“I can’t say how the other parents will react.  So far no one’s said anything but they might.  Just a heads up.”

“I appreciate that.  You probably already know I lost my husband a year ago.”  The Head’s kind, sympathetic expression undid something in Rachel and her chest went tight.  “I just want Leah to have some normality.”

“It must be so difficult losing one’s husband at such a young age.  Does she ever mention him?  I just need to know so we’re prepared.”