Midsummer Dreams at Mill Grange

by Jenny Kane

  ‘For which we can’t blame them.’ Shaun stepped back, picturing the wheelhouse in all its former glory. ‘The impact on the village must have been immense when the mill closed.’

  ‘I’d love Mill Grange to give something back to the village.’ Thea closed the wheel room doors behind them. ‘Although in all honesty, I suspect I’ll have to recommend selling the mill off separately.’

  Shaun groaned. ‘Which would mean to a developer, who’d turn it into executive apartments or something similar. Only affordable by incomers from London.’

  ‘I know.’ Thea leant against the dusty wall of the main room. ‘But unless you have a millwheel builder who doesn’t require paying up your sleeve, and you know how to reopen the watercourse with zero damage to people’s gardens and bypassing planning regulations, then I can’t see an affordable alternative.’

  ‘Point taken.’ Shaun ran a reverential hand over the fading plaster. ‘But we must be able to do something with it.’

  ‘That’s the second time you’ve said we?’ Thea smiled. ‘You’re happy to stay incognito for a while then?’

  ‘If you’re happy to put up with me?’

  Unsettled by the gleam in his eye, Thea checked her watch. ‘There’s only just over an hour until the meeting; I ought to get back.’

  ‘May I accompany you? I wouldn’t mind a poke around the grounds.’ Seeing the doubt on Thea’s face he added, ‘Don’t worry, I’ll hide until I’ve met everyone at the meeting. Then I’ll know who is privy to my appearance, and who isn’t.’

  ‘I’m sorry about this, Shaun. It’s probably silly, but…’

  ‘You’re doing your best for Mill Grange. Don’t worry about me. Although,’ he paused while Thea relocked the main doors, ‘in the interests of me not being spotted by autograph-hunters and such, I wondered if I should sleep in the manor.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘I’d pay the same rate as at the pub. Makes sense, doesn’t it? It’ll bring in a few more pennies and I won’t have to keep creeping around Upwich like one half of Burke and Hare.’

  *

  Sitting on the edge of the double bed in Mill Grange’s main bedroom, Thea could see out of the large bay window and across the garden into the tops of the trees beyond. She’d intended to make another list. But list-writing seemed to be all she did these days. Better to get on and do something productive. Suddenly all her lists felt like delaying tactics.

  Tina was downstairs in the kitchen preparing for the meeting. She cursed herself for not having found time to ask her about her date yet. Perhaps they’d have the chance to chat after the meeting. She could see Sam, pottering away in the garden despite the lateness of the hour. Thea was surprised he was still there as he’d said he couldn’t come to the meeting.

  A trail of smoke gusted past the window every time the wind got up, telling her that the bonfire she’d smelt as she and Shaun had walked back to Mill Grange belonged to Derek and his helpers. For now there was no one else in view. Shaun was somewhere in the woods, having promised faithfully to keep a low profile if he encountered any dog walkers.

  Trying to concentrate on the meeting ahead, Thea realised there was very little to say but what had to be said needed saying emphatically. She didn’t want to keep people here as volunteers if they didn’t want to stay once they knew the chances of the place ever opening to the public was slim.

  Shaun’s presence would keep the likes of Mabel and Diane on site, but she was less sure about the others.

  ‘The new timeline, the money situation, the need to raise funds ourselves, introduce Shaun, request their discretion on his presence so it’s a surprise when he opens the manor – if that happens – and then send them all home.’

  Thea repeated the meeting schedule like a mantra as she smoothed a palm across the bed’s Victorian quilt, glad that Mabel wasn’t there to tell her off for sitting on it.

  Shaun’s idea of living in to help pay for the manor’s upkeep was a good one, but if she was going to agree to him living in, she would have to move out. It was a miracle she hadn’t been discovered by anyone other than Tina anyway.

  Thea closed her eyes. All Shaun had done was tease some cobwebs off her hair, but it had felt like an electric shock. A really good electric shock. ‘You do not have time for this!’

  The sound of the front door opening and closing, followed by the familiar determined tone of Mabel and the accompanying complimentary tone of Diane prevented Thea from admitting what she already knew. She wanted Shaun’s hands on her again. ‘It’s just lust. You’ve gone without for too long.’

  Steeling herself, Thea pushed her inconvenient realisation to the back of her mind. It was time to start the meeting. Taking pleasure in the touch of the polished oak banister beneath her palm, Thea descended the main staircase, heading towards the aroma of coffee emanating from the kitchen.

  From the corridor she could hear Mabel giggling and a man’s voice, muffled by the sound of others moving around the room. Thea’s spirits lifted. She hadn’t heard Mabel laugh before. Perhaps having Shaun here would help far beyond his knowledge of old buildings. Wondering when Shaun had crept in, Thea pushed open the kitchen door.

  Her hand froze against its wooden panel.

  There was no sign of Shaun.

  Between a flushed Mabel and a giggling Tina, sat John Sommers.

  Sixteen

  April 9th

  Thea held onto the side of her desk and exhaled slowly.

  Her television appearance calling for volunteers had been ages ago. She’d relaxed. Dared to let herself believe that John had either not seen the broadcast, or had seen it, but sensibly decided not to come here.

  I don’t have time for this. There’s so much to do!

  Far from delivering her from trouble, it felt as if Mill Grange had landed Thea neck-deep into the most demanding circumstances of her career. And now, for added devilment, the Ghost of Christmas Past had shown up, and was regarding her as if butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth.

  Trust Mabel to like him.

  Thea tried to dismiss the memory of Tina’s expression as she’d looked at John. Her friend’s instinct for homing in on men with money was strong. Thea wouldn’t wish John on someone as gentle and kind as her best friend though. She wouldn’t wish him on anyone.

  Thea closed her eyes. She knew she had to go back into the kitchen. The excuse she’d muttered about needing to fetch some papers had sounded lame and the longer she was absent the lamer it would become.

  Lowering herself onto the nearest seat, Thea took a sip of water. All the effort I went to, to get out of Bath was wasted. And if I can’t even save the manor, then what’s the point of me staying?

  ‘Thea?’ Tina opened the scullery door. ‘Do you need help finding something? You’ve been gone ages.’

  Catching sight of her friend’s ashen face, Tina rushed to her side. ‘What’s happened?’

  ‘The new volunteer.’

  ‘He’s mine.’ Tina smirked. ‘Hands off.’

  Thea shook her head so fast her hair whipped her face. ‘That’s John.’

  ‘That hot bloke in there with the nice eyes and the soft laugh is the man you’ve come here to escape from?’

  ‘Yes.’ Thea licked her lips, trying desperately to get some moisture to circulate around her mouth.

  ‘Oh my God.’ Tina was mortified. ‘I had no idea. He said his name was John Davies.’

  ‘That’s his other surname.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘It’s double-barrelled. He is John Davies-Sommers. I’ve never bothered with the middle bit. Something that he didn’t like.’

  The uneasy silence was broken by the sound of the back door to the manor being scraped back and Shaun striding into the make-do office with a grin. ‘Sorry I’m late, Thea. Couldn’t get out of the woods without breaking my cover. Oh… you okay?’

  ‘Yes. Yes, of course. I was gathering myself before the meeting.’ Thea plastered a smile on her face. ‘Tina, this is Shau
n. Shaun this is Tina, my right hand here at Mill Grange and best friend.’

  ‘Very pleased to meet you.’ Shaun’s palm engulfed Tina’s entire hand as he shook it profusely.

  Thea, wanting to get the meeting over with so she could work out what to do about John, said, ‘Shall we go in? I know Mabel is dying to meet you.’

  Shaun lowered his voice. ‘Mabel’s the one that dropped you in it, right?’

  ‘You could say that.’

  Tina turned to Thea. ‘Are you okay to go in? Really?’

  ‘Of course.’ Not wanting to say anything in front of Shaun, Thea led the small party towards the kitchen.

  *

  Mabel was on her feet the second she saw Shaun. For one mad moment Thea thought she was going to curtsy.

  ‘You must be Mrs Hastings?’ Shaun, in full television personality mode, kissed Mabel’s cheek, turning her fuchsia-pink as he switched his attention to a hovering Diane. ‘I’m delighted to be here. What a beautiful manor you have here.’

  Grateful to Shaun for taking the limelight, Thea arranged her papers at the head of the table. So far she’d avoided glancing at John, but that didn’t stop her feeling his bright green eyes scanning her face. Everyone else was focused on Shaun.

  Hoping no one would notice how rattled she was, Thea continued to ignore her ex’s presence. ‘Thank you for coming along at such short notice.’ She turned to Tina. ‘If you could relay the minutes of the meeting to Sam tomorrow, that would be good.’

  ‘No problem.’ Tina took up her pen, ready to record what was said.

  Mabel’s hawk-like eyes landed on the pen. ‘We never kept minutes in the past. Why now?’

  ‘Because what I have to say is important. The trustees need to have an accurate account of the work we’re doing and how much money we spend. They also want a realistic timeframe for our work as we move forwards. In the past things have been relayed to them incorrectly.’ Thea kept her gaze on Mabel as she added, ‘Such inaccuracies have led to the reason for this meeting.’

  There was an uncomfortable shuffling from Diane as Thea adopted a less combative tone. ‘However, what’s done is done. It is vital to the survival of the restoration project that we draw a line under what’s happened – without forgetting all the excellent work many of you have done – and move on.’

  Concentrating her attention on Shaun, Tina, and Derek’s three students, all of whom stood propped against the dresser, Thea outlined their new timeline. Stressing the increasing possibility that the house might never open to the public and the need for the house and grounds to start to pay for themselves to try and prevent that from happening, she added, ‘So, if any of you who’ve volunteered don’t wish to continue, now you know Mill Grange may never become the heritage site you hoped for, then I’d understand. I’d like you all to think it over and email me with your decision. Should you wish to withdraw no one will think any less of you. Your hard work will always be remembered and appreciated.’

  Deflecting the heat of John’s relentless smile in her direction, Thea watched Shaun. He was running his eyes over the rows of polished pans above the Aga. ‘This brings me to our special guest, Mr Shaun Cowlson.’

  Shaun smiled, but remained silent so Thea could continue.

  ‘Shaun is here to help out. I’m sure you’ll agree we are very lucky to have such an expert on the premises. And, if we are able to pull off a miracle and the house, and possibly the mill, are restored and ready to open to the public by 21st July, Shaun has also agreed to perform the opening ceremony.’

  Mabel couldn’t have looked more pleased with herself as she told John, ‘I invited him, you know.’

  Not wanting to give John time to respond to Mabel’s gloating, Thea spoke louder. ‘Yet this brings problems as well as solutions.’ She gestured to Shaun, who dipped his head, showing her he agreed with what she was about to say. ‘As we do not need autograph-hunters slowing us down, and as we’d like to keep Shaun’s role as house opener a surprise, let’s keep his presence as a volunteer under wraps.’

  Derek, who’d been regarding Thea with fatherly pride, said, ‘That won’t be easy, girl. I’m sure all of us—’ he looked directly at Mabel ‘—will keep the secret, but Mr Cowlson can hardly be held hostage within the house. Keeping a secret in this village is nigh on impossible.’

  Shaun acknowledged the point. ‘It will be very difficult. That’s why I’ve suggested to Thea that I live here. Not only will paying rent to the Trust help the funds, it will mean I will be sleeping on site and be able to work the maximum number of hours I can before leaving for the next round of filming.’

  ‘Stay here?’ Mabel’s eyes widened with a combination of surprise and horror. ‘But where? The bedrooms are about the only things ready for opening and what about food? You can hardly call Tesco and ask for a delivery without arousing suspicion.’

  Knowing Mabel was right, but wishing she wasn’t, Thea said, ‘Shaun could have one of the back bedrooms. The work to re-clean one room won’t be too much when the time comes. As to food, well, you have a valid point, but if we all pitch in, I’m sure we can get enough supplies smuggled in to keep Shaun going.’

  ‘For how many weeks?’ John was incredulous. ‘Still wishing for miracles, Thea?’

  Mabel swung around to face her latest recruit. ‘You’ve met Thea before?’

  He beamed at the old lady. ‘We know each other very well indeed. Don’t we, Thea?’

  Curling her fingers into fists under the table, Thea said, ‘Not really, John, no.’ Quickly turning to Shaun, whose expression revealed he’d got the situation summed up already, Thea said, ‘Would you really want to be stuck here for all your meals? It’s a big place, but if we do try and keep you a secret you’ll be a virtual prisoner.’

  ‘Perhaps I got carried away by the magic of this place.’ A crinkle had formed on Shaun’s forehead, but to Thea, it appeared to be aimed at John rather than concern over his culinary arrangements. ‘I wouldn’t worry. I can make my own arrangements. All I’d ask everyone, if you don’t mind, is for you to stay quiet about my presence in the village for now. If someone sees me and works it out, then we’ll cope with that as and when. I feel I’d be of more use to Thea, Mill Grange, and therefore yourselves, if I kept a low profile. If anyone has an objection to this arrangement, please speak up and I’ll rethink my plans.’

  The table resounded with agreements to keep quiet and cries of how lovely it was for Shaun to interrupt his recording schedule to help them. Everyone, including John, was in agreement. Shaun should stay and no one would speak out.

  Hoping they’d all keep their word, Thea was relieved when the meeting closed with a feeling of unexpected optimism. Shaun’s arrival seemed to have dulled everyone’s senses to the fact that the manor might never open at all.

  *

  Nearly everyone had gone. Shaun was upstairs picking a bedroom in which to stay once his booking at the pub had run out, and Tina was at the kitchen table writing up the meeting notes. Thea, with her heart thudding in her chest, glad that her friend was only a shout away, had asked John to accompany her to the office.

  ‘An explanation please?’

  ‘I want to help you keep Mill Grange open.’ John didn’t so much as blink through his lie.

  ‘Bollocks. The real reason please. I’m busy, I’m tired and I don’t need this.’

  John laughed. ‘Devon air has made you feisty. I like it.’

  ‘We’re in Somerset.’

  ‘Same difference.’ John was dismissive as he pulled out a chair and lounged back.

  ‘I would like you to leave, John.’

  ‘But – but why? I told you, we owe it to ourselves to give it another go. I want to stay. I want to help. This—’ he waved a hand around the scullery, not quite being able to disguise his dislike of the crumbling plaster and smell of damp ‘—is important to you.’

  ‘It is important to me, but it isn’t to you.’ Thea sighed. ‘I appreciate the sentiment, John, but I know th
is must be your idea of hell. It’s one of a huge number of reasons why we are not meant to be together.’

  ‘But you said we should try. In the pub in Bath before you left. I heard you.’

  Thea ran a hand through her hair in exasperation. ‘What on earth are you talking about?’

  ‘You said you wished you loved me. So here I am, to see if we can make that wish come true.’

  Thea couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

  ‘I knew I owed it to us to try once more, so I pulled a few strings at work to get time off, and here I am.’ He sat back in the chair. Thea had the strangest notion he was expecting to be thanked.

  Taking a deep breath, Thea forced herself to look John in the eye. ‘One: I said I wished I could love you for your sake, but the fact is I don’t and never will. I was trying to be kind. Obviously a mistake. Two: you’ve given a false name on your safety form.’ She waved the paper signed John Davies in front of him. ‘And three: one of the reasons I came here was to give you a chance to move on. To find someone to love who will love you back.’

  John’s expression flicked through various stages of uncertainty, before dismissing Thea’s misgivings with his trademark smile. ‘You’re being unreasonable, Thea. You need all the help you can get here. When I saw your appeal on the television, I realised that sacrificing my annual leave to help get this pile functioning again would be a good way to apologise for my past behaviour.’ He placed a palm over hers and gave it a gentle squeeze. ‘If more than just a chance to atone comes from my time here, then great. If not, well, I’ll know for sure how you feel, won’t I?’

  Thea stared at the hand covering hers for a second. It felt warm and familiar. Part of her was reacting positively, remembering how good that hand could feel, but her brain told her to grit her teeth and stand firm. ‘As I said, John, I appreciate the sentiment, but I want you to leave. Please John, for your own sake. I can’t face the thought of hurting you again.’