Spring Blossoms at Mill Grange by Jenny Kane (fiction books to read .txt) 📕

her life in a way she hadn’t imagined possible, and suddenly she couldn’t think what it was that had been stopping her making a decision about her future.

Taking Tom’s hand, without a word, Helen walked them both into the woods that sheltered the far side of the excavation area.

Following her lead as she sat on the dry ground, her back resting against a hefty oak tree, Tom whispered, ‘Helen?’

‘I wanted us to tell everyone about us being together when we first planned to, I really did. But I got scared.’ Helen shoved a ringlet behind her right ear. ‘Although, I genuinely do think we ought to tell Dylan first.’

Tom wrapped her hand tighter in his, homing in on the first part of her statement. ‘Scared in what way?’

‘The enormity of it all. It’s happened so fast. To go from us getting together, to basically living together so Dylan can have some space of his own. I know it isn’t living together in the conventional sense, but it felt so huge.’

Not daring to speak for fear of saying the wrong thing, Tom squeezed her palm as he listened.

‘… and to give up my job in Bath and move here. I suppose I panicked.’

‘That I understand.’ Tom squashed up against her side. ‘I’m not asking you to give up your life in Bath. You love that job. I can’t ask you to gamble on me. That’s why I just asked if you’d come to see us once you were back there.’

‘Of course I would, and I hope you’d come to see me. I know it is two hours away, and with Dylan with you every other weekend it’s a big ask, but even if you were only there for when I got home from work…’ She tousled a hand through her hair, making her fringe bounce across her forehead. ‘But then I got to thinking that if we dated long distance for a while it would be less frightening, because if we missed each other we’d know for sure that we were meant to be together.’

‘If that’s what you want to do.’ Tom forced himself not to adjust her fringe. A single curl was hovering between her eyebrows in a seductive manner that she was oblivious to.

‘But that’s just it. I don’t know what I want. Didn’t know. It’s all been so jumbled in my head.’

‘But now you do know? What you want, I mean.’

‘Yes.’ Helen shuffled around so she was facing Tom, holding his green gaze. ‘Just then, as we stood by the old walkway the soldiers used to patrol the area, when you asked me about coming to visit. That’s when I knew. I don’t want you to come and visit Tom, because I don’t want to leave Mill Grange in the first place.’

‘You want to stay here?’

‘Yes.’

‘With me?’

‘With you.’ She went to push the curl out of her eyes, but Tom’s hand darted forward and stopped her.

‘No, let me do that.’

Thirty

Saturday April 4th

‘Wow, now that’s a car.’

As Shaun pulled up next to the old-style Bentley, Thea admired the navy bodywork. ‘Sam’s parents must still be here.’

‘Does that mean we should make ourselves scarce, or do you think it’s okay to go inside?’

Thea swung her car door open and hopped out, stretching her legs. ‘I’m sure it’s fine to go in, which is just as well, because I’m bursting for a pee.’

Smiling as Thea darted towards the backdoor, Shaun unlocked the car boot just as Tom and Helen appeared from around the side of the house.

‘Need help with your luggage?’

‘Thanks, Tom.’ Shaun’s eyes widened as he noticed they were holding hands. ‘Looks like a lot’s been happening in our absence.’

Helen glanced at their hands self-consciously. ‘Oh you know life at Mill Grange, nothing stays the same for long.’

‘Yep, nothing like a historical house for constant change.’ Shaun laughed as he shook Tom’s hand.

Grinning, Helen said, ‘Actually, we didn’t think anyone would be around. We haven’t told anyone yet, so…’

‘So mum’s the word for now.’

‘Although,’ Tom exchanged glances with Helen as he said, ‘Tina and Mabel both guessed, so it’s not like no one knows, we just aren’t broadcasting until we’ve spoken to Dylan.’

 ‘Got it.’ Shaun nodded. ‘I’m delighted for the pair of you. Thea will be too. She’s just dashed in to the loo. She told me you two had the hots for each other, as she put it, the day you arrived, Tom.’

Helen’s eyes widened. ‘Did she?’

‘Yep.’ Hauling a pair of overstuffed rucksacks from the boot of the car, Shaun paused. ‘Now I think about it, she was convinced that Tina and Sam would get together long before they did too.’

‘Spooky.’ Tom let go of Helen’s hand so he could take one of the heavy holdalls from Shaun. ‘Secret witchcraft?’

Helen pulled a bag of walking boots from the boot. ‘More likely she’s been talking to Minerva again.’

‘Sorry?’ Tom looked confused.

‘I’d almost forgotten she did that.’ Shaun smiled. ‘I haven’t heard Thea talk to Minerva for ages.’

Helen followed the men towards the house, explaining the Minerva situation to Tom. ‘Thea had a statute of the Goddess of Wisdom in the corner of her office when she worked at the Roman Baths. I often came in and found her in conversation with it.’

‘There are worse things to take advice from I guess.’ Tom’s eyebrows rose. ‘Perhaps I should get us a statue, then the next time we’re in a dither about what to do, we can ask it for guidance.’

Helen laughed. ‘That’s not a bad idea, although you do have to listen really really hard for an answer.’

‘Always a catch.’

Shaun pushed open the backdoor with his foot and checked along the corridor. ‘Should we dump our things and then get out of Sam’s way?’

Helen headed for the back stairs. ‘We were just considering heading to the pub.’

‘A plan with no drawbacks.’ Shaun took Helen’s bag from her. ‘Can you stay here and wait for Thea while we run stuff upstairs?’

‘Sure.’ As Shaun and Tom disappeared from view, Helen’s heart