by Jenny Kane
Tom gently coiled a curl that hung across Helen’s fringe between his fingers. ‘Hold that thought. For now, I need to tell you why I was so late.’
*
Although it hadn’t taken long for Tom to share his news, Helen had to repeat it back to him several times before it sank in.
Sue was still going to move to Australia with Nathan, but Dylan was not going with them. Her partner wanted a new start in a new country with no ties. And that meant leaving both Harriet and Dylan behind.
‘But how could Sue… I mean…’
Tom grimaced. ‘That’s why she was late. Her conscience isn’t letting her sleep. Apparently, she’s been drumming up the courage to tell me for ages that she thinks Dylan will be better off with me full time.’
‘But, he’s her son!’
‘Yes,’ Tom slipped his arm around Helen’s waist, ‘and he’s mine. And although I am delighted I won’t be losing him to the other side of the world, I can’t help wondering how his mum leaving him is going to affect him.’
A trickle of fear ran down Helen’s spine as she asked, ‘What will you do?’
‘I’ll have to live in Tiverton. No way am I going to move Dylan now he’s settled at school.’ He licked his lips. ‘That’s why Sue was going on about Sam having loads of money and assuming I got paid heaps. She was making herself feel better about leaving me to care for Dylan full time. The thing is,’ Tom looked anxiously at Helen, ‘how do you feel about it? I mean, I know you love Dylan and he loves you, but you’ll be like a mum to him with Sue gone. That’s what Sue was getting at with all the family stuff, I think. Dylan being part of a family with me – us.’
Tears gathered in Helen’s eyes.
‘Helen?’ Tom felt panic grip him, ‘You aren’t going to run away again, are you?’
She smiled as she shook her head. ‘No, never. I was just wondering how we’d tell Dylan his mum was leaving him.’
‘Not our problem. We’ll have to pick up the pieces though.’ Tom sighed. ‘At least there’s Zoom and Skype and all that, so we can make sure he talks to his mum every day.’
‘Maybe we can record the school nativity and that sort of stuff?’ Helen shifted on the hard seat. ‘I suppose we could rent Sue’s house. Just get the landlord to adjust the contract?’
‘We?’
‘Yes, of course.’ Helen paused. ‘Although, I’m not sure I want to live where Sue did, so…’
‘But you live in Bath.’ Tom curled a spiral of her hair around a finger.
‘I had a surprise for you. I wasn’t going to say until you got back to Bath with me, but, maybe now’s a good time.’
‘If it’s good news, then now is the perfect time.’
‘I’ve been given permission to work from home three days a week. I thought I’d work from here. Tina already knows and said it was okay, but if we had a home that was big enough in Tiverton, then, I could work from there instead.’
Tom grabbed hold of Helen and held her close. ‘Live with me and Dylan?’
‘If you’ll have me?’
‘Are you kidding? Of course we will.’ Tom held her by the waist, his face serious. ‘It’ll be tough sometimes. Dylan is going to miss Sue.’
‘I know.’ A wave of nervous happiness hit Helen. ‘But we’ll muddle through. The three of us.’ She stood up, her heart pounding hard in her chest. ‘Now, come on, we have a little boy to say goodbye to and our friends’ wedding to get back to.’
Epilogue
Saturday May 23rd
‘Where is everyone?’
Tina looked around the deserted kitchen. Now she’d stopped moving for a moment, she realised the whole house had an empty feel, as if she and Sam were the only ones there.
‘They’re probably in their rooms, taking ten minutes before we meet in the walled garden. Bet everyone’s exhausted.’ Sam wrapped his arms around her. ‘We could go to ours too.’
Seeing the look in her husband’s eyes, Tina smirked. ‘There’s nothing I’d like more, but…’
‘We are the hosts. I’ll just have to wait to examine how that incredible dress is staying up. Something, I should warn you, I intend to take a great deal of time doing.’
‘I’m glad to hear it.’ Kissing him hard, Tina pulled back. ‘It’s been an amazing day.’
‘It has. Come on then, Mrs Philips, if no one’s here, they must all be adhering to Mabel’s schedule. It’s ten past six. Her list stated everyone should be assembled in the walled garden for a quiet drink and chat by fairy light ten minutes ago.’
‘I’m looking forward to handing out the thank you presents.’ Tina smiled as she thought of the gift they’d got for Dylan. ‘Mabel assures me she has the gifts all hidden beneath the registrar’s table, even the one for her, bless her.’
‘I hope she remembered to do those rounds of sandwiches she talked about as well. Goodness knows there isn’t a scone or scrap of cream and jam left in the place. And as for beer and wine… you can forget it.’
‘Actually, Sam, I’d rather have a cup of tea.’
‘I have a confession.’ Sam kissed the top of her head. ‘I asked Mabel to make up the onsite thermos flasks. There will be tea and coffee.’
Flinging her arms around Sam, Tina laughed. ‘That’s why I married you then! I knew there must be some reason!’
As they approached the garden, Sam slowed. ‘Why’s it so quiet? I can usually hear Bert laughing a mile off.’
Speeding up, they moved into the garden. The fairy lights shone across the skeleton of the greenhouse, making it look enchanted. There was not a soul to be seen.
‘They aren’t all hiding, are they?’ Tina peered about. ‘I’ll jump a mile if they all shout boo!’
‘Nowhere to hide. Unless they’ve squeezed in with the chickens.’
Pointing ahead, Tina saw something on the table where they’d signed the register. ‘What’s that?’
‘The thermos I asked for with,’ Sam frowned, ‘a large envelope propped against it.’
Dashing forwards Tina picked it up. It had Don’t Panic, everyone is fine, written on it.
Sam smiled. ‘Our friends are up to something. I think I like it.’
‘Like it?’
‘We’re on our own on a romantic spring evening on the best day of our lives.’ He slid his hands around her waist. ‘Let’s open the envelope. See what our friends have done this time.’
*
Dear Mr and Mrs Philips,
As you aren’t able to go away for a honeymoon, we thought we’d bring the honeymoon to you, here, at Mill Grange.
We have all moved out for a week. You have seven peaceful days of just yourselves and the chickens!
Our wedding present is a full freezer and cupboards stocked with food and drink. A Chinese takeaway is due to be delivered to you at 7 p.m. tomorrow night. As for this evening, Moira from the Stag and Hound has been given a key, and will pop in with a three-course meal at eight. She has instructions to put it in the Aga/fridge, and not disturb you.
We all wish you the best honeymoon and look forward to seeing you next weekend.
Lots of love,
Thea, Shaun, Tom, Helen, Dylan, Sybil, Bert and Mabel.
xx
PS – thank you for the beautiful presents. We all loved them – especially Dylan, who can’t believe he owns his own archaeologist’s trowel. He’s so proud! (Love, Thea xx)
*
Tina looked at Sam, her mouth open. ‘A honeymoon at home.’
‘With no one here but us.’
Tina felt choked as she re-read the letter. ‘We have the best friends.’
‘We do.’ Sam led her to a row of chairs beneath the marquee, as he whispered, ‘Now then, tell me, Mrs Philips, exactly which of these dress fastenings is the best one to open first?’
Acknowledgements
When I first created the characters for Midsummer Dream at Mill Grange, I never dreamt that I’d be lucky enough to write a whole series for them. Writing the adventures
of Thea, Tina, Shaun and Sam – not forgetting Mabel and Bert – has been an absolute joy, and I’d like to thank a few people who’ve helped me along the way.
First, the team at Aria (Head of Zeus), especially Hannah and Rhea, who have both been so supportive and passionate about Spring Blossoms at Mill Grange.
Also, to my agent, Kiran; many thanks for your guidance and encouragement.
The Mill Grange series would never have come to life if it hadn’t been for Tammy Nicholson, who welcomes me and my colleague, Alison Knight (along with many of our Imagine students), to Northmoor House – the inspiration for Mill Grange - on Exmoor every year, for our Imagine writing retreats.
Finally, to my family and friends, who support my constant need to write with regular deliveries of coffee, chocolate, and kind encouragement.
About the Author
JENNY KANE is the bestselling author of several romantic fiction series. Her first novel, Another Cup of Coffee (Accent Press), was a Kindle bestseller. The final novel in this series, Another Glass of Champagne, was released in June 2016. Jenny Kane’s Cornish romance, Abi’s House, hit No.1 in the Amazon Romance, Contemporary Fiction, and Women’s Fiction charts, and was followed by a sequel, Abi’s Neighbour, Jenny’s seventh novel.
Become an Aria Addict
Aria is the digital-first fiction imprint from Head of Zeus.
We are Aria, a dynamic digital-first fiction imprint from award-winning independent publishers Head of Zeus. At heart, we’re avid readers committed to publishing exactly the kind of books we love to read — from romance and sagas to crime, thrillers and historical adventures. Visit us online and discover a community of like-minded fiction fans!
We’re also on the look out for tomorrow’s superstar authors. So, if you’re a budding writer looking for a publisher, we’d love to hear from you. You can submit your book online at ariafiction.com/we-want-read-your-book
Get in touch: [email protected]
Subscribe to our newsletter
@Aria_Fiction
@ariafiction
@ariafiction
Addictive Fiction