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

soared. She’d made her decision, and seeing Shaun’s delighted expression at their being a couple, she knew it was the right one.

Hovering outside the bathroom, Helen called through the door. ‘Thea, are you in there?’

‘Helen! Yes, won’t be a minute.’

Seconds later Thea threw open the door. ‘Sorry, it was so hot in the car. I grabbed the chance for a quick wash. It’s so good to see you.’ Engulfing her friend in a hug, Thea stood back and regarded her shrewdly. ‘Something’s happened. Tom?’

Helen burst out laughing. ‘You really are spooky.’

‘Sorry?’

Explaining about the Minerva conversation she’d just had, Helen told Thea they were all off to the pub.

‘Excellent. I’ve missed wandering into Upwich. We should leave a note so Tina and Sam know where we are.’

Heading into the kitchen, Helen fished a pen from her trouser pocket to jot a note down, when she saw one already in place on the table. ‘They aren’t here. Good lord!’

‘What is it?’

‘They’ve taken Lord and Lady Malvern to meet Bert.’

*

Sam stood by the door to the ruined mill and waited for his father to come out. The building, for which Mill Grange was named, had once been a thriving woollen mill, providing the Victorian community with employment. It had been the heart of Upwich until more advanced machinery at rival mills had put it out of action.

However much progress he was making with his claustrophobia, Sam still couldn’t force his feet to cross the mill’s threshold. He’d been in before. Just once, the previous June, to help Shaun rescue Thea and Tina when they’d been locked inside while fire blazed around them.

Lingering by the open double doors, Sam could smell the acrid aroma of smoke and burnt walls and floor. At least he thought he could. He knew he couldn’t trust his senses when it came to the after scent of fire. Wiping perspiration from his palms, Sam wished his father would hurry up.

Having thanked Bert heartily for helping his son, in a manner of humility Sam hadn’t realised his father had in him, Bert, sensing a wedding conversation was on the cards between their better halves, had suggested that Sam show his father the mill site.

The initial panic at Bert’s suggestion had quickly been quelled as Lord Malvern said, ‘I’d like to see the space. You could wait outside while I look. Do you have the keys on you, Sam?’

Now, as he wondered if he’d ever be able to go inside the building again, Sam found himself breathing deeply, using the mantra Bert had taught him to keep calm. Looking from left to right, making sure no one was watching him pacing anxiously up and down, he stopped as he saw, not just Tom and Helen walking towards him, but Thea and Shaun as well.

‘What a lovely surprise.’ Sam rubbed his sweaty palms on his trousers. ‘Great to see you both.’

‘Likewise.’ Shaun gestured to the mill. ‘We thought you were with Bert and Mabel.’

‘Tina and Mum are. My father’s inside, taking a look.’

‘Right.’ Shaun gestured to the door. ‘Would you like me to go inside and make sure he’s alright?’

‘Would you mind? He’s been in there a while.’

As Shaun headed inside, calling out to Lord Charles as he went, Thea said, ‘we were on the way to the pub, but we can head to Mabel’s if you like.’

‘I’m sure she’d be glad to see you, but Bert’s turned in. I think he’s finding too much company very tiring right now.’

Thea was puzzled. ‘Bert never has too much company.’

Sam exchanged anxious glances with Tom and Helen. ‘I was going to tell you as soon as you got back, but then my folks came and—’

‘Tell us what?’ Thea frowned.

‘He’s had pneumonia.’ Helen put an arm around Thea’s shoulders. ‘He’s very much better, but he’s still in recovery.’

‘Oh God. We have to go and see him! Why didn’t you tell us?’

‘He wouldn’t let us.’ Helen shrugged. ‘You know Bert. He didn’t want you to be distracted from the dig. If things had got really bad, we’d have ignored him and told you, but luckily that didn’t happen.’

‘I’d still like to check on him and see Mabel. Do you think they’d mind if I gate-crashed their wedding talk?’

Sam smiled. ‘Now what makes you think they’re talking weddings?’

‘Hunch.’

‘My mother would be delighted to meet you. Why don’t you go, I’ll fill Shaun in.’

‘I’ll come with you.’ Helen, keen to talk to her friend about Tom and her decision to stay, agreed. ‘We’ll catch up later. Enjoy the pub.’

*

‘It’s such a shame Mabel couldn’t join us for dinner, especially as she cooked it.’ Bea looked approvingly at her fast disappearing food.

As everyone else had their mouths full, Thea said, ‘She wanted to get back to Bert. I can’t believe he’s been so ill.’

‘He was quite firm about not worrying you two while you were filming.’ Sam refilled his empty glass.

Bea picked up her wine as if to toast Bert. ‘Having met that gentleman today, I can believe he’s the sort of chap who wouldn’t want to cause a fuss. An old school gentleman.’

Charles agreed. ‘His suggestion that Sam showed me the mill was a good one, and once we met Tom and you Shaun of course, we got rather caught up in plans for the old mill over a pint. So much potential there.’

‘I’m looking forward to hearing all about it.’ Tina speared some pasta with her fork. ‘We had a nice time with Mabel. She’s so excited about helping with the wedding.’

‘Quite right too.’ Bea lay down her cutlery. ‘With Mabel at the helm, you have one wedding planner for whom the sun won’t dare not shine.’

As everyone laughed good naturedly at Mabel’s organisational abilities, Bea turned to Shaun. ‘I’ve been dying to ask, where have you been filming Landscape Treasures? Can you tell us, or is it top secret?’

Thea looked across at Shaun. ‘Are we allowed to say? It’s been on the local news up in Gloucestershire.’

‘We can say, within reason. Sam tells me