Page 44 of The Wedding Cake Wish
He grins. ‘This is more like it. Stephanie Holbrook. MD ofStarbright Events, based in Surrey.’ I look over his shoulder as he reads thecompany’s blurb: ‘Starbright Events, born two decades ago in Ms Holbrook’sspare room, has become one of the leading event organisers in the UK in recentyears. Ms Holbrook credits remaining single as one of the reasons for hersuccess, as it has allowed her to pour all her energies into building herbusiness.’
‘Wow. So Rachel’s friend Steph has done well for herself,’ Imurmur. ‘Very well indeed.’
‘In stark contrast to Rachel,’ murmurs Hudson. ‘Bad luckseems to have doggedherall her life.’
‘She wasn’t altogether blameless, though,’ I remind him. ‘Sheserved time in a young offenders’ institution for her part in starting a fire.’
He frowns. ‘There were three of them involved but onlyRachel was convicted,’ he says slowly. ‘And Rachel told Shirley that she didn’tstart the fire.’
‘That’s true.’
He holds out the photo. ‘Three girls in the photo. Is this acoincidence?’
I nod eagerly. ‘It could be a photo of Rachel with the twofriends who were there with her the night of the fire.’ I take the photo andstare at it, my mind working furiously. ‘Do you think Rory might be searchingfor them? He might have found out the name of one of them and gone looking forthis Steph person.’
‘Look at the way he’s circled her name so many times.’ Heturns the note over and reveals how the firm pen marks have actually gone rightthrough the paper. ‘That’s anger. I think he’s really angry with this StephanieHolbrook. Maybe he thinks she should have taken some of the blame for the firethat basically wrecked his mum’s life.’
I nod. ‘But why now? Why would Rory suddenly decide he needsto find the people in the photo?’
‘I don’t know. Maybe because he’s only just found out thatthere were three of them involved in starting the fire? Or perhaps he knew allalong, but his mum’s terrible “accident” was just one horror story too many andhe’s out for revenge?’
I nod. ‘We know he’s really protective of his mum. Maybehe’s after some form of justice for all the troubles she’s suffered.’
‘Which is why he’s looking for Stephanie Holbrook.’
‘But what has she got to do with Amberley Gardens,Cotswolds, at 2pm on Saturday?’
‘I’m not sure. Hang on.’ Hudson starts typing into hisphone, his forehead creased in concentration. Then he smiles and presents thescreen to me and I read the contents.
Amberley Gardens in the Cotswolds, official openingceremony, Saturday at 2pm.
‘Ah.’ A light goes on in my head. ‘Stephanie Holbrook ownsan events company. Starbright Events could be organising the opening ceremonyat the gardens in the Cotswolds?’
He nods. ‘I’ll bet that’s where Rory’s gone. Although whathe’s planning, he alone knows.’
‘Maybe he just wants to talk to Stephanie to find out whatactually happened the day of the fire?’
‘Maybe.’ Hudson looks doubtful. ‘But why would he go all theway to the Cotswolds – assuming thatiswhere he’s gone – when he couldhave gone to the company’s headquarters here in Surrey? In fact, if all hewanted was a conversation with Stephanie Holbrook, he could have simply phonedher.’
‘So why do you think he’s interested in the official openingof the gardens?’ I ask, feeling uneasy.
‘I don’t know and that’s what worries me.’ Hudson frowns.‘If Rory really does want revenge on Stephanie Holbrook, he could be planningto sabotage the event.’
‘You mean wreck it to destroy Stephanie’s professionalreputation? But surely he wouldn’t go that far?’
He sighs. ‘I don’t know. But something happened to make Rorytake off – vanish into thin air – with barely a word to anyone.’
I hold up the photo. ‘Maybe the hooded visitor came to givehim the photo that night...told him that these two wereinvolved in the fire.’
Hudson nods. ‘And Rory saw red, realising they’d escapedwithout a punishment. Unlike his mum.’ He gives an uneasy sigh. ‘There’s beenno word from him in over a week. I can’t help thinking that’s the behaviour ofa desperate man.’
‘You really think he’s headed to the Cotswolds, on the trailof Stephanie Holbrook?’
‘I do. I think Rory’s on a mission. And who knows what he’sprepared to do at that gardens opening ceremony in order to wreak his revenge?’
CHAPTERTWENTY
‘Mint?’
