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

‘Sounds good.’ Sam scooped the last of the dirty mugs off the table. ‘Changing the subject for a moment, has Helen said anything to you about staying now she and Tom are an item?’

‘No, but to be fair, we haven’t had a minute on our own to talk about anything. The focus at Mabel’s yesterday was very much wedding related.’

‘Oh yes?’ Sam grinned. ‘Anything I should know?’

‘Not unless you want to hear about the vast differences in wedding dress style preferences between Mabel, your mum and me.’

‘I can imagine! I certainly don’t want to jinx things by hearing about – or seeing – your dress before the day.’

Tina shut the dishwasher door with a flourish. ‘I never thought you’d be superstitious like that.’

‘I’m not, but I’d like it to be a surprise on the day.’

Throwing her arms around Sam, Tina gave him a big kiss. ‘We’re really getting married here, aren’t we?’

‘We are,’ Sam played with her golden pigtails as he glanced towards the calendar, ‘in just under two months.’

‘Two months!’ Tina pulled away in panic. ‘But that’s not long enough!’

Sam’s forehead creased as he stroked her worried face. ‘But you knew it was in two months.’

‘Well, yes I did, but you saying it out loud… I’ve been so focused on worrying about not upsetting your parents, that I haven’t actually done anything more than think about what the wedding will be like. I’ve booked nothing! I don’t even have a wedding dress shop in mind to go to. It can take weeks to find a dress – months even! And what about the food and my hair and the chickens, your clothes and—’

‘The chickens?’ Wrapping her in a soothing hug Sam shook his head. ‘You don’t expect me to provide them with little dresses do you? Although Tony Stark could probably rock a rooster sized tuxedo.’

Tina giggled into his shoulder. ‘I can see him now.’

‘Don’t worry, love. The marquee is ordered for the ceremony. Tom’s been helping me on that front.’

Tina pulled away in surprise. ‘But we only just found out we were getting married here.’

‘We were always going to get married here, but now we can with my parent’s blessing.’

‘But what about food?’

‘I’m sure Sybil will step up with some afternoon teas. Are we, or are we not, the team that turned the restoration of Mill Grange around in a matter of weeks, against all odds?’

‘We most certainly are!’ Mabel appeared in the doorway, her arms wrapped around a large folder, which appeared to be stuffed full. ‘You are not to fret about anything, Tina. Not a thing!’

Thirty-two

Sunday April 5th

Thea read the email on her laptop. It echoed the text Julian had sent as she’d travelled home from the Cotswolds.

Thea,

I trust you are taking time to think things over regarding doing more television presenting. As you haven’t replied to my text, I have to assume it never reached you. (I recall Shaun complaining that the Wi-Fi reception in Upwich is poor.)

This email is to ensure you that I am serious about your future prospects in the business.

I have booked a private meeting room in the conference suite of The Harborough Hotel, Northleach, not far from Birdlip. Unless I hear in the negative, I will expect to see you there at six pm on Tuesday 14th April.

Regards,

Julian.

*

Wishing she’d told Shaun about the overheard phone conversation and Julian cornering her as they left the dig straight away, Thea sighed. She’d hoped Julian would give up and go away if she ignored him for long enough. It appeared that this was not going to be the case.

Thea mumbled at the screen before her. ‘How do I even start a conversation that will end with, “Julian asked me not to say anything about this, and oh, by the way, I suspect it’s your job he wants me to have, Shaun”?’

Hearing footsteps echoing along the corridor outside, Thea shut the email down as Sam poked his head around the door.

‘You alright? You look a bit pink?’

‘Bit tired. I’m fine.’

‘I wondered if you had a few minutes to save Tina.’

‘Always. But from whom?’

‘Mabel.’ Sam rested against the doorframe. ‘Now we’re all steam ahead for holding the wedding here, it’s hit us how little time we have. Mabel has stepped up as wedding planner extraordinaire. She’s fab, and what she’s saying is all good. But Mabel’s in her element and Tina needs back up. We both do if I’m honest. It’s a bit overwhelming.’

‘No problem. Why not call an impromptu staff meeting, that way we can talk about other things as well? I could do with being brought up to speed on the dig.’

‘Good idea, although I think Helen and Tom had plans with Dylan today.’

‘That might be as well. I was going to ask about Helen’s birthday. Are we doing anything for that?’

‘I rather assumed Tom would sort it out. I’ll try and catch him on his own later.’

Thea smiled. ‘You know that won’t be easy now Dylan’s here.’

‘It is going to make life more difficult,’ Sam agreed. ‘There are going to be times when we’ll need a full staff meeting. What will Tom do with Dylan then?’

‘Perhaps we could organise the main ones when Sue has him, and keep all others short. Dylan could easily sit at the table with us. Maybe he can draw or read while we talk?’

‘Maybe.’

‘You don’t sound sure.’ Thea tilted her head to one side. ‘Are you regretting your decision to let Dylan stay?’

‘Not at all, I was just thinking how different everything will be here when Tina and I have a family.’

Thea grinned. ‘That’s something worth changing things for though.’

‘Oh yes.’ Sam looked around the scullery that Thea and Tina had been using as their office since he bought Mill Grange. ‘Even though you showed me this room via video call, now I’m able to come in here, I am always surprised by how big it is.’

‘Scullery maids needed plenty of elbow room.’ Getting up, Thea