Spring Blossoms at Mill Grange

by Jenny Kane

‘Please open it, Sam. I’m not doing so well being stuck inside for so long myself.’

  Sam could see his friend’s hands shaking. The old man, like him, had suffered severe claustrophobia years ago, and though he coped brilliantly, every now and then his enemy made its presence felt. But if I open the window and Bert got cold…

  ‘The doctor told me I could have it open for a little while.’

  ‘Promise?’

  ‘Promise.’ Bert grunted. ‘But it will be best for both our sakes if you close it if you hear Mabel coming!’

  ‘Wise!’ Sam lifted the sash window a fraction, the action alone making him feel better.

  ‘So, my boy, what’s on your mind?’

  ‘What makes you think there’s something bothering me?’

  ‘Call me psychic. Let’s have it.’

  ‘I’m here to make sure you’re alright. Everyone’s worried about you.’

  Bert tapped his friend’s arm. ‘And while I believe that, and I’m grateful, I also can see there is something on your mind. Now, spit it out.’

  Sam couldn’t help but laugh. ‘There are no flies on you, Bert!’

  ‘Give me something to think about other than feeling ill. Tell me.’

  ‘Okay. You asked for it! Tina has her heart set on getting married at Mill Grange and my parents are desperate for me to keep up the family tradition – which both my older brothers followed – of marrying at Malvern House. I don’t want to let Tina down, nor do I want to upset my mother. Any and all ideas welcome!’

  *

  ‘Tomorrow night? Can’t we do another night, Sue, I’ve got a work thing on.’

  Tom closed his yes. He’d longed for the chance to talk to Sue in a civilised fashion about gaining more access to Dylan, and now she was offering him that chance, but it was tomorrow night, when he’d told Helen he’d take her for a curry.

  ‘I thought your colleagues were your friends? They’ll understand if you have to reschedule.’

  ‘But why then, Sue? What’s wrong with one night next week? Won’t you need to look after Dylan?’

  ‘I have a lot of extra work on next week, and tomorrow night I have access to a babysitter. I thought you wanted to get this sorted?’

  Tom bit back the sense of frustration he always experienced when he spoke to Sue. ‘Of course I do, I suppose I just assumed you’d want to see me in the day, rather than in the evening.’

  ‘I told you, I’m busy next week. It’s tomorrow night or not for ages. I’ve booked a table at the local Indian. Are you coming or not?’

  Seven

  Friday March 20th

  ‘That’s it. I give up!’ Shaun rolled over, almost falling out of bed after another night of very little sleep. ‘All I’ve done is lay in bed thinking about how badly I want to sleep, and how sick I am of Julian leering over you.’

  The edges of Thea’s temper began to fray. ‘For the last time, Shaun, he isn’t doing any such thing!’

  ‘You seriously can’t see it, can you?’ Shaun scrubbed his knuckles across his bloodshot eyes.

  ‘Because there is nothing to see!’ Thea, her limbs heavy from her own lack of sleep, groaned as she got to her feet. ‘You’re beginning to sound like a stuck record. Worse! Like a prima donna who can’t get a vegan snack in the middle of the jungle!

  ‘I knew this project was a voyage of discovery, but I didn’t think the first thing I’d find out was that you’re a very different person when deprived of sleep.’ Thea sagged back against the side of the van as she clicked on the kettle. ‘Whatever the situation, if you don’t want me dozing off in the trench next to you tomorrow, I’ll be sleeping in the other campervan tonight.’

  Seeing Thea meant what she said, Shaun gave up. ‘Okay, I guess we need some quality sleep.’

  ‘Thank you!’ She banged an empty coffee cup down in front of him, ‘Now, I think we need caffeine. And fast.’

  *

  Shaun spoke into the camera, his presenter’s smile firmly in place. ‘The valley in which Birdlip Villa is set is simply outstanding. Do you think it was purely the desire for a nice view from the garden that led to it being built here, Thea, or was there more to it?’

  Taking her cue from Shaun, Thea gestured into the distance, her arm sweeping across the camera, as if to encapsulate the open plain before them. ‘While I’m sure the stunning vista had a lot to do with it, I have no doubt status played a part. Being able to afford to have such a vast home built here would have been solid proof of status in the Romano-British community. This villa is the period equivalent of a modern business man buying a mansion and putting a Jacuzzi, swimming pool and gym in the grounds.’

  ‘You think the owner was a business man?’

  Thea gave Shaun a dazzling grin. ‘He could well have been, but more likely a politician of some sort. Quite possibly he was both.’

  ‘And how about mosaics, Thea? It’s early days yet, but what do you think the chances are of us finding mosaics on the floors?’

  ‘I would love to say we will, but obviously I can’t do that until the archaeology reaches floor level. Let’s just say I’d be surprised if we didn’t find any. As the geophysics results show, we are looking to uncover a decent sized dining area, or triclinium, and a bath house here. With Chedworth Roman Villa only fifteen miles away, we already know that the local people, at least those wealthy enough to afford it, had access to mosaic makers, who put together the pieces, or tesserae, into incredible geometric patterns and detailed pictures.’

  ‘Let’s hope we find some examples of their work.’ Shaun turned away from Thea and spoke directly into the camera. ‘It’s time to see how our diggers are getting on.’

  ‘Cut!’ Julian rubbed his palms. ‘Brilliant, Thea. Thank you. Shaun, can we do that last line to camera again? It was a bit flat. More excitement this time please.’

  *

  ‘More excitement!’ Shaun growled under his breath as he spoke to Sam. ‘Honest to God, I think this is the first time in my life I’ve actually pictured myself punching someone.’

  ‘You really think he’s trying to make you look bad in Thea’s eyes by getting you to redo bits to camera that are perfectly alright?’

  ‘It feels like it. Phil was picky, but this bloke…’ Shaun puffed out a blast of pent-up tension down the phone line. ‘Oh I don’t know, Sam. Half the time I think I’m being paranoid. Thea certainly does.’

  ‘Could you be?’

  ‘Possibly.’

  ‘Even if what you say is true, and this Julian does have a crush on Thea, so what?’

  ‘How do you mean?’

  ‘Don’t be dim. Julian could have a major crush on Thea, but if she isn’t interested, then it makes no difference. Remember how it was when you were in Cornwall, and that Sophie had a crush on you? Now the boot’s on the other foot. Thea hasn’t shown any signs of flirting with him, has she?’

  ‘Well, no.’

  ‘Stop being an arse then, mate. In fact, as Bert would say, apologise to Thea without delay.’

  ‘He would, wouldn’t he? I’ve been an idiot, haven’t I?’

  ‘Yep.’

  Raking a hand through his hair, Shaun resolved to find Thea as soon as he’d finished talking to Sam. ‘Anyway, enough of my moans. How’s life at Mill Grange?’

  ‘All good, thanks. The current guests are almost ready to leave. One of them has already rebooked with a mind to doing the archaeology certificate with Tom when it launches properly in July.’

  ‘Excellent news.’

  ‘Talking of news, what are you guys doing about Easter? Tina said you had the weekend off?’

  ‘I’m hoping we’ll get back to Mill Grange.’

  ‘In that case, I should warn you that you will be driving into a whole world of chocolate.’

  *

  ‘Did you tell Shaun and Thea about Bert being ill?’

  Tina passed Sam a slice of lemon cake and sat on the bench next to him, lifting her face to the sunshine that bathed the garden.

/>   ‘No. Bert asked me not to. They’d only worry, and what can they do? It’s not like they can drop everything and come to see him.’ Sam stretched out his legs and wrapped an arm around Tina’s shoulders. He knew he ought to tell her about his conversation with his mother, but somehow he couldn’t find a way to frame the words. And besides, she looked so happy. He didn’t want to ruin the mood.

  ‘I love this time of the week.’ Tina laid a head on Sam’s shoulder as she surveyed the sloping garden as it swept down to the woods that formed the borders of Mill Grange’s land down to the River Barle, where it merged with Exmoor. ‘One set of guests gone, and a whole hour before I need to start stripping the bed linen and you start cleaning the garden tools, and checking the walking equipment.’

  ‘It wouldn’t be the end of the world if you left the beds until this evening or tomorrow.’ A hint of guilt edged into Sam’s contentment. With Thea away and Mabel looking after Bert, Tina would end up doing the housework on her own. ‘I’m sorry I haven’t managed to go upstairs yet. I can do the downstairs bedroom and help in the kitchen, but—’

  Tina placed a single finger over Sam’s lips. ‘You have plenty to do, and I’ll be fine. Helen will help me as soon as she and Tom have finished recording the week’s work on the fortlet.’

  Filling Tina in on Shaun’s insecurities in Gloucestershire, Sam found himself picturing his fiancée, complete in wedding dress, walking across the garden before him. His conscience pricked him for a second time.

  And it’s not just Tina. I want to get married here too. I want to be able to tell our children we got married in the garden they’ll play in.

  Taking a deep breath, Sam turned to Tina. ‘I’m sorry to ruin the moment, but there’s something I need to talk to you about.’

  *

  Tom risked glancing at Helen. While her face wasn’t etched with thunder, she certainly wasn’t smiling. He hadn’t realised how much he liked her smile until it wasn’t there. He hated that he was responsible for taking it away.

  He’d explained about Sue, and it being the only time she could meet him and talk about Dylan for at least a week. Helen had said all the right things, had claimed to understand, and said they could chat about what she wanted to discuss anytime. Then she’d taken up his offer of a coffee at Sybil’s the following day, saying in the same breath that anything he had to do for Dylan’s sake was important, and that the Indian restaurant would be there another time.

  Tom hadn’t told her he was still going to the restaurant. Just not with her.

  *

  ‘What are these for?’ Thea cradled the bunch of spring flowers in her arms, ‘and where did you get them?’

  ‘There’s a shop in Northleach that had flowers for sale alongside the groceries. I wanted to say sorry for being a jerk.’

  Giving him a hug, Thea found a water jug in her van’s tiny kitchen cupboard, and lowered the daffodils and crocuses inside. ‘Not the most beautiful vase, but they do cheer the place up.’

  ‘It’ll be weird sleeping without you.’ Shaun ran a finger across Thea’s cheek.

  ‘You’re always sleeping without me.’ She kissed his nose. ‘You’re away for at least half the year filming.’

  ‘Which is why I begrudge a single night apart when we don’t need to be.’ Shaun held Thea tight. ‘I’ve been a jealous idiot. Forgive me?’

  ‘Forgiven.’ She rested her head on his shoulder. ‘Just don’t do it again.’

  *

  They had changed the third set of bed linens before Tina realised that neither she nor Helen had spoken a word since they started work on the guest bedrooms. She knew why she was feeling subdued, but couldn’t think why Helen was so quiet, especially after such a successful week on the dig.

  ‘You alright?’ Tina smoothed the corner of the duvet flat, and picked up a pile of towels to place on the end of the bed. ‘You’re very quiet.’

  ‘I was just thinking the same about you.’ Helen plumped up the pillow she’d just squeezed into a case.

  ‘I’m fine. Just a few wedding glitches I hadn’t foreseen.’

  ‘Glitches?’

  ‘Sam’s mum wants us to marry at her place.’

  ‘In Worcestershire?’ Helen frowned. ‘But you can’t, can you? Don’t you have to live in the area where you wish to marry and do complicated things with having the banns read – or is that just if it’s a church do?’

  ‘I don’t know.’ Tina shrugged. ‘I’ll find out. It would be very convenient if that was the case. Then I wouldn’t have to feel bad about Sam breaking years of family tradition by marrying away from Malvern House.’

  ‘What does Sam want?’

  ‘He wants to marry here too, but obviously he doesn’t want to upset his parents.’ Tina resisted the urge to flop down onto the bed they’d just made. ‘Why is everything always so complicated?’

  ‘Wish I knew.’ Helen gave a hollow laugh. ‘Although it is odd. I mean, isn’t it the bride that marries from home and not the groom?’

  ‘Apparently not in Sam’s family, although goodness knows why not. And it’s not as if I have a parental home to marry from.’ Tina pulled a face. ‘Well that’s my moan, what’s stopping your usual smile in its tracks?’

  Looking at the remaining pile of linen left to sort, Helen sighed. ‘How about we leave this lot until the morning and skive off to the pub? I’ll buy us a bottle of Pinot and we can have a mutual whinge.’

  ‘Deal.’

  Eight

  Friday March 20th

  Moira placed the bottle of Pinot in a bucket of ice and set it on the table between Helen and Tina. A minute later she came back with two bags of dry roasted peanuts.

  ‘We didn’t order these, Moira.’ Tina poured out two glasses of wine.

  ‘You didn’t. But neither of you drink much. I thought the nuts might be needed to take the edge off. Put it down to landlady instinct.’

  Helen laughed. ‘An instinct which is spot on. Thank you, Moira.’

  Tina took a mouthful of the deliciously chilled wine as Helen said, ‘So, Sam’s mum, she wants you to marry at the family manor in Worcestershire?’

  ‘Family tradition for them, apparently. Both his elder brothers married there before they emigrated.’ Tina heaved a sigh. ‘I want to marry here and so does Sam, but he’s obviously wary about upsetting his folks after so long without being part of their lives.’

  ‘What will you do?’

  ‘Stick to my guns and get married here and deal with the fallout.’ Tina grimaced. ‘So, what’s your woe?’

  Helen lifted her glass in salute to her friend’s determination. ‘Ah, well, unlike you, I have no right to feel put out, but I still do.’

  ‘Are we going to need an interpreter for this conversation?’ Tina was already lost.

  Helen pulled a face. ‘Between you and me, Tom and I were supposed to be going out tonight.’ Before Tina could comment, she added, ‘Not on a date. Just to talk over something work related. We thought it would be nice to get out of Upwich for a bit. There’s a good Indian restaurant in Tiverton apparently. We were going there.’

  ‘Are you sure it wasn’t a date?’ Tina refilled Helen’s fast disappearing wine. ‘It does sound like one.’

  ‘It was just a change of scene. That’s all.’

  ‘But you’re here with me, with the air of someone who’s been let down, rather than looking like someone who’s had a work chat cancelled.’

  Helen couldn’t help but chuckle. ‘What on earth does acting like someone with the air of being let down look like?’

  ‘Oh, I’ve no idea, but you know what I mean.’ Tina tilted her head to one side. She knew Helen liked Tom, and she was pretty sure Tom reciprocated, yet nothing had happened. If tonight was his way of having a non-date-date, then something must have happened to stop him. Or his bottle had gone. ‘I know Tom’s gone out tonight, because his car’s missing. So, what happened?’

  ‘Sue happened.’

  ‘Dylan’s mum?’ Tina w
as about to become indigent on Helen’s behalf, when she realised. ‘Dylan’s okay, isn’t he?’

  ‘Yes. He’s the reason Tom’s gone out with Sue. She wants to discuss giving him more time with Dylan, add his name to the school contacts list and such like. That way Tom will be notified when there are parent’s evenings and stuff.’

  ‘Hence you saying you have no right to feel put out about Tom not being able to take you out.’

  ‘Exactly.’ Helen took a sip of drink as she watched the customers of the busy pub carrying on around them, exchanging friendly waves and chats with each other as they settled to their drinks and meals.

  Tina put down her glass. ‘It’s just a hunch, but I suspect Tom isn’t in a hurry to start another relationship, with such a messy one still hanging over him.’

  ‘I know.’ Helen popped the final peanut into her mouth. ‘I wish to goodness I didn’t like him, but I can’t turn the feeling off. It’s ridiculous at my age! I’m nearly… I’m thirty-nine for goodness sake.’

  ‘It doesn’t work like that.’ Tina paused. ‘You aren’t really worried about turning forty, are you? I know loads of forty-somethings who say life gets better and better.’

  ‘Me too, it’s just…’ Helen took a moment to think how to phrase her thoughts. ‘Look, it isn’t that I’m single. It isn’t that I don’t think my life is complete without a partner. Nor do I feel I haven’t achieved anything with my life. I did think all those things for a while. Took each of those issues in turn and worried about them – but it isn’t any of that… it’s… I don’t know…’

  ‘Is that how you felt when you came to Mill Grange last September?’

  ‘Pretty much. I was working through the, “I haven’t achieved anything with my life because I’ve been in the same job for years and have no man,” phase at that point. That passed when you and Thea made me see I’d been working too hard and simply needed a break. But then, just as I was chilling out, and wasn’t constantly thinking about museum planning meetings and school trip quotas—’

  ‘Tom came along, you realised you fancied him like crazy and now you’re stuck with feelings you can’t do a thing about.’