by Jenny Kane
There was a lengthy pause as Julian listened to whoever he was talking to. Thea’s palms prickled. There was no reason to think he was up to something, yet the more time she’d spent in Julian’s company of late, the more she was inclined to agree with Shaun and the AA. He might well be good at his job, but when it came down to it, that was all he cared about. Thea suspected he wouldn’t care who got trampled on his path to the top.
‘She’s a natural. I’m telling you… yes…’ Julian’s voice dropped so he was almost whispering. ‘A shake up of the team is inevitable. If we want to be seen to be keeping up, we’ll need someone at the helm of the ship who is professional, likeable and, let’s be honest, easy on the eye.’
She? Team shake up?
Thea backed silently away from the coats. Glad no one was around to see her, she tiptoed away, heading for the sanctuary of the ladies’ bathroom.
Was that what Julian had been not quite telling them the other evening over food? That Landscape Treasures’ line-up was going to be changed to try and compete with the new look Treasure Hunters?
Splashing her face with cold water from the tap, Thea stared into the mirror as the obvious conclusion arrived in her mind.
I’m the only one he’s arranged to be interviewed on camera over the last few weeks. Surely he can’t mean that he wants me to take over from Shaun?
Feeling nauseas, Thea took a deep breath.
You only heard half the conversation. You could be wrong. But what if I’m not? Poor Shaun. He’d be crushed if Julian offered me his job.
By the time she’d left the bathroom and seen that the phone was now free, Thea had convinced herself she was imagining things.
Of course you’re wrong. Why would anyone in their right mind break up one of the most successful teams in recent television history?
Twenty-two
Monday March 30th
Helen hummed happily as she tidied her desk in the corner of the store room. If she was going to stay at Mill Grange permanently, she’d need to ask Sam and Tina about having a little more working space.
‘If I rent out my place in Bath, then I can rent somewhere small here. All I need is a one- or two-bedroom place.’
Helen sat down, her mind a happy haze of memories that the last twenty-four hours had given her.
Being with Tom, walking around Haddon Hill, while he and Dylan ran in all directions chasing butterflies and hunting for Exmoor ponies, had been so much fun. They’d snuck kisses when the boy wasn’t looking and soaked in the sunshine while Dylan told her about school and his friends. Later that day, Helen had passed Tom a note saying that she loved him. The expression on his face as he’d read her words, a heady mix of relief and desire, would stay with her forever.
They’d discussed their mutual notes on the drive home from Tiverton, after dropping Dylan back to Sue’s, before giving into passion the second they got home, and waking up together that morning, wrapped in a knot of linen on the tiny bed.
Muttering contentedly to herself as she collected the guest list for the week that Tina had left on her desk, Helen noted that, once again, every one of the six men booked in had elected to do archaeology training as part of their week of respite after years of forces’ service.
‘Sam’s right, once we start advertising the certificate, this place is going to need another tutor.’ Still at her desk, Helen pulled a piece of scrap paper from a pile in the corner and scribbled down some thoughts.
‘So, rent the house in Bath and find a little place here, or nearby at least,’ Helen mumbled as she wrote, ‘Tiverton or maybe Bampton or Taunton?’ Then she crossed out Tiverton. She didn’t fancy bumping into Sue in the supermarket.
‘I must find out how much agencies charge to rent out houses in Bath, or should I rent it out myself.’ Helen’s hand paused, before she added, ‘research agencies’ to her random list.
Her pulse beat fast as she read back what she’d written. ‘Am I really going to do this? Am I going to leave a well-paid job I love, for a less well paid job I love – and a man?’
Picking up the paper, she balled it up and threw it into her recycling bin.
‘At the end of the week you can write the list. It’s only been a few days since Tom and I got together.’
Checking the time, and seeing she had three hours until the new guests were due to arrive, Helen headed for the fortlet.
She could see Tom in the distance, sweeping mud from the edges of the fake dig. His black combats were speckled with mud; his slim muscular arms were pushing the broom as if he was in a race against time.
‘Hello,’ Helen called as she approached. ‘You’re an urgent sweeper this morning.’
Tom beamed as he saw her, before checking over his shoulder to make sure no one was around. ‘Come here, quick.’
Helen felt oddly vulnerable as he kissed her over the dig site, and found herself dissolving into a giggle.
‘That funny?’
‘Sorry, I feel like a kid not wanting to be caught snogging behind the bike sheds.’
Tom wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. ‘Did a lot of that did you, Miss Rodgers?’
‘Not once.’ Helen slipped her hand into his. ‘I was fat and clever. Fatal combination at a comprehensive in the 80s.’
‘They didn’t know what they were missing.’ He winked. ‘Come on, help me out and this’ll be finished long before lunch.’
‘And what makes you think I’d want to do that?’ Helen pointed towards the main excavation. ‘I might have things to do.’
‘True, but if we finish here early, we can sneak back upstairs for a pre-lunch, umm… meeting.’
Helen looked across the lawns, expecting to see Sam or Tina, but no one was in sight. ‘A meeting? And what might that be about?’
‘I realised at about half past nine this morning that my extensive research of the Himalayas remains lacking in certain areas. I’d hate to disappoint, should I ever be quizzed on its undulations.’
As her body reacted to his suggestion, Helen whispered, ‘And what about work?’
‘You wouldn’t be out here if you hadn’t finished prepping inside. I’ll help you with the fortlet after lunch.’
‘And what if Sam or Tina need us?’
‘I just saw them heading off to see Bert and Mabel. We’ve got at least an hour to ourselves.’
‘Oh, now that is sneaky.’
‘Only a bit.’ Tom gestured towards the manor. ‘Shall we?’
*
Tina bustled around Mabel’s kitchen, following Sam’s directions in her hunt for tea and coffee while he unpacked the care package of scones that Sybil had sent over first thing that morning.
Not wanting Bert and Mabel to hear from the adjoining living room, Tina spoke under her breath, ‘How do you think he is, really?’
‘Exhausted, but on the mend.’ Sam fetched the butter from the fridge.
‘Should we save our question for another time?’
‘No.’ Sam put the sugar bowl on the tea tray. ‘It’ll give him something else to get better for. But we won’t hang around afterwards.’
‘We can’t anyway.’ Tina glanced at the kitchen clock. ‘It’s coming up to lunchtime already, and I’ve got lots to do before the guests arrive at four.’
As Sam picked up the tray, and headed towards the lounge, Tina hung back.
She hadn’t said a word when Sam had walked through the cottage door without breaking a sweat. Now he was strolling into the small living room without batting an eyelid.
Afraid that if she mentioned it, Sam would realise how enclosed he was and rush outside, Tina hurried through to join their friends.
Having updated Bert on life at Mill Grange, and confirming that next week Dylan was moving into the manor part time until Tom found a place to rent, the conversation had drifted onto the surprising upturn in the quality of hospital food – but Tina couldn’t wait any longer. She was sure that, any minute now, Sam would realise how long he’d been indoors and the moment would be lost.
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br /> ‘Actually, as well as seeing that you’d been returned to us in one piece, Bert,’ Tina looked to Sam, who tilted his head in encouragement, ‘we have an ulterior motive for our visit.’
Bert chuckled. ‘Sounds intriguing.’
‘The thing is,’ Tina took Sam’s hand, ‘as you both know, my parents died when I was in my teens. I don’t have anyone to give me away at the wedding, so, we wondered…’
Emotion caught in Tina’s throat and she turned to Sam, silently asking him to finish the sentence for her.
‘Bert, Tina would very much like you to be father of the bride at our forthcoming wedding. And Mabel, would you do us the honour of standing in for Tina’s mother?’
Sat side by side, the elderly couple looked at each other. Mouths open, simultaneously speechless for the first time in their lives.
Slowly, Bert took Mabel’s hands. Cradling them gently, he was the first to speak. ‘I would be delighted. Honoured and delighted. Thank you.’ His words choked as he smiled.
Mabel was nodding fast now. ‘Yes, and I would. We… we never thought we’d ever be…’
The old lady lapsed into silence and a tear sprang to the corner of Tina’s eyes. They haven’t got children. They never thought they’d do this.
‘That’s wonderful. Thank you so much. Our day wouldn’t be the same without you two, would it, Sam? We—’
Sam’s mobile burst into life, interrupting Tina. ‘Rats! Sorry. I only left it on in case a guest had last minute travel issues.’ He hooked his phone from his pocket. ‘Oh, it’s my mum. I’ll tell her I’ll call her back.’
‘Don’t be daft, you can take it in the garden. Off you go.’
As Sam followed Mabel’s instructions, Tina couldn’t help but sigh.
‘I take it the issue of where to get married is rumbling on?’ Mabel asked, as Tina rested back against the armchair’s cushions.
‘Afraid so.’
Bert cleared his throat, a short cough escaping as he did so. ‘Sam should invite…’
He coughed again, making Mabel turn to him. ‘Steady now. Take your time.’
Tina gave Bert’s arm a gentle pat. ‘We should leave you in peace. We just wanted to make sure you were okay, and ask if you’d give me away of course.’
Already on her feet, Mabel ushered Tina back to her seat. ‘We’re delighted to see you and of course we’ll stand in for your parents, but what about this wedding? It has to be at Mill Grange, so how will you tackle the location issue?’
Relieved Mabel had reverted to type, and all signs of emotional simmering had evaporated, Tina explained, ‘Sam invited them to come and visit the house ages ago. We hoped they’d come to see why we love it so much, but the invite hasn’t been taken up.’
‘Maybe that’s why Her Ladyship is calling now.’
‘Maybe.’ Tina doubted it. ‘I really liked Lady Bea when we visited Malvern House in the autumn. And Sam’s father, even though he’s a bit stuffy.’
‘Aren’t earls supposed to be stuffy?’ Bert chipped in.
‘A bit, but Lord Malvern could win prizes.’
Mabel crossed her arms. ‘I’m not sure I could like anyone who puts tradition before their child’s happiness.’
Bert’s eyebrows raised, but he wisely said nothing about how addicted to doing things the traditional way Mabel was.
‘As much as I want to marry here, I’d hate Sam and his parents to fall out over this. They’ve only just healed the rift after six years of being estranged.’
Mabel patted Tina’s hand. ‘If that happens, it won’t be anyone’s fault but theirs. Now then,’ she brushed her hands together as if the matter was solved, ‘tell me, have you got a dress yet?’
‘Beyond flicking through those magazines you sent me, I haven’t so much as chosen a style, let alone the actual dress.’
Looking scandalised, Mabel’s eyes darted to the calendar on the wall, and then back again. ‘May’s not that far away, Tina. And you’ll need to have fittings and stuff and—’
‘Until we have the venue sorted properly, there didn’t seem much point.’
‘Not much point?’ Mabel shook her head. ‘Wherever you wed, you’ll need a frock.’
‘I know, but there’s so much to do, the days seem to fly by. Even with me working full time at Mill Grange now, I never seem to have a minute.’ Tina glanced up at Mabel. ‘I was going to ask if you’d come with me? It’s so hard to know what really suits, and whether to believe what the shop assistant says suits you, because they might be trying to shift a dress no one wants.’
‘Me?’
‘Yes. Umm… you’re my friend and well, my mum would have come and…’ Tina was alarmed to see tears glisten in Mabel’s eyes again. ‘Did I say something wrong?’
‘No. I’d love to. I just never thought you’d ask me.’ Mabel wiped her eyes and gripped hold of Tina’s hand. ‘Thank you.’
Sam arrived back in the room in time to see Tina giving Mabel a hug. ‘Everyone alright in here?’
‘Mabel’s agreed to go wedding dress shopping with me.’
‘Fantastic. Thanks, Mabel.’ Sam grabbed his cold cup of tea. ‘But not this weekend if that’s okay?’
‘Absolutely,’ Tina pointed to the calendar, ‘because Dylan’s moving in on Sunday. We’ll be child proofing the house on Saturday.’
‘Oh hell, I forgot about that!’ Sam groaned. ‘I’ve just told my parents they could come this weekend to see the house!’
Twenty-three
Thursday April 2nd
‘Are you sure you don’t mind?’
Tom passed Sam his semi completed to-do list for the day, rubbing a dirty hand down his combats as he did so.
‘I’d have said if I did.’ Sam gestured his clipboard towards the house. ‘Go and get changed, or you’ll never get to Tiverton in time.’
‘Thanks, mate.’
Tom tried not to glance back at Helen as he strode toward the house. He knew she was watching him; he could feel the heat of her emerald eyes on his back.
They’d have to tell people soon. It was getting increasingly difficult not to take her hand whenever they stood near each other or hug her before leaving the site for a while.
People are going to think we’ve fallen out. We hardly look at each other for fear of people guessing.
Resolving to talk to Helen about the issue after they’d come off guest care duty that evening, Tom made a beeline for the shower, to scrub away as much of the site mud and dust as possible before heading to Dylan’s school.
He tried not to think about the preconceptions Dylan’s teacher might have of him or what light Sue had painted him in.
Sue’s changed. She’s putting Dylan first. She won’t have said anything bad about me.
Putting on a shirt and his only pair of smart trousers, Tom grabbed his car keys and ran down all three sets of stairs and out to the driveway.
‘I thought I’d come and wish you luck.’
As Helen leaned against his old Fiesta, nerves fluttered in Tom’s chest. ‘Is Sam with the guests?’
‘We’d reached a good place to stop for the day, so Sam’s taken them for a walk in the woods.’
‘Good timing.’ Tom checked the coast was clear, before giving her a cuddle. ‘That’s better. I can’t believe how nervous I am.’
‘I wish I was coming with you.’
‘So do I!’ Tom unlocked the car and wound down the window to let some air into the stuffy interior. ‘Actually, I wanted to talk to you about that later.’
‘About me coming to the school?’
‘No. Well, sort of, I suppose. About us being an official couple. That way, I get to hug you more often, and you’d be able to come to these events with me.’
Helen’s smile creased the freckles on her cheeks. ‘I’d like that. Although maybe not a parent’s evening – that’s Sue’s. I wouldn’t want to intrude.’
‘Okay, maybe not those, but nativity plays and stuff.’
‘You’re sure
?’ Helen was already picturing Dylan decked out as a shepherd with a tea towel on his head.
‘I’m sure. I also think we should tell everyone. I know we said we’d wait, but I’m beginning to wonder what we’re waiting for.’
‘Me too.’ Helen grinned. ‘We’ll tell people once you’re back.’
Driving away, Tom felt more contented than he had in years. He was looking forward to telling everyone Helen was in his life. Especially Dylan. He’d be delighted.
*
There was no doubt it was a dolphin. The mosaic artist had even managed to capture its joy at curling through the sea. Which, Thea mused to herself, was remarkable as he’d probably never seen a dolphin, or even the sea, in his life.
Standing back from the bath house, allowing the latest round of local newspaper reporters to get as many pictures as they could, Thea let out an exhalation of air she hadn’t realised she’d been holding in.
‘You okay?’ Shaun muttered so that neither the reporters nor Julian could hear him.
‘Relieved the mosaic really is made from local stone.’ Thea grimaced. ‘Can you imagine the reports if, after I’d said it was probably going to be locally sourced on telly, the test results came back with a different story?’
‘That wouldn’t have been your fault.’
Taking a step back, the knowledge of the conversation she’d overheard weighed on Thea’s mind as she watched Julian chatting to the reporter, his chest so puffed out with pride, it was as if he’d built the villa himself. ‘I meant to ask, has Julian said anything else about Treasure Hunters?’
‘Not a word. Why?’
‘With the dig nearly being over, and us having a weekend break soon, I wondered if he would say anything else about the future of the show.’
‘Our show or Treasure Hunters?’
‘Ours. The more I think about what he was saying over dinner the other week, the more I think he knows something we don’t.’
Shaun shook his head. ‘If the TV company wanted to make a change of presenter, they’d have to tell me. I can’t see it happening. Landscape Treasures gets great ratings. And even if Treasure Hunters is upgraded, so what? Why can’t people enjoy both shows?’