Autumn Leaves at Mill Grange by Jenny Kane (best free e reader .TXT) 📕

how. If she sees you’re a living breathing person, and not a figment of my imagination, Sophie’s bound to give up her ridiculous pursuit, if she hasn’t already.’

‘Or she’ll feel she has nothing left to lose and do something stupid to make you really notice her.’

Shaun sat up straight. ‘You don’t think she will, do you?’

‘I have absolutely no idea.’ Thea stretched her legs out in front of her, before bending her knees and hugging them to her chest. ‘I know nothing about her. Sophie knows I’m here though. I could feel her eyes boring into me from her bedroom.’

‘The only good thing about last night’s insanity was that she’s kept her distance ever since. Hopefully, that will remain the case until we leave.’ He sighed. ‘I should have listened to Ajay but I never for a moment thought…’

Flapping Shaun’s naïveté away, Thea asked, ‘And when will that be? Leaving here I mean.’

‘Depends on what else goes wrong. And Phil.’

‘In what way, Phil?’

‘Although Phil was happy to have Sophie on camera to fulfil her mother’s condition of having the dig here, now he wants me to re-film nearly all the stuff Sophie did to camera. He doesn’t want Lady Hammett to think we’re pandering to her after what she’s done.’

‘That’s mad. It’ll delay things further and therefore play straight into her hands.’

Shaun sighed. ‘On top of that, I can’t help thinking that almost erasing Sophie from the show will make things worse.’

‘How do you mean?’

‘The local press and television news have been here. Sophie Hammett has become something of a local celeb; albeit a five-minute wonder. Removing her from our screen time isn’t going to make all this go away.’

Thea stared out across the moor. ‘Is the re-filming all that will take up the remaining time here?’

‘It won’t help.’ Shaun picked up a stone and threw it angrily across the open ground. ‘To be honest, I can’t see how we’ll ever get to Mill Grange; I wish I could say otherwise. And what if Phil does take out Sophie’s bits and then Lady Hammett goes to the press?’

‘I can’t imagine her doing that.’ Thea played a fallen leaf through her fingers.

‘You haven’t met her.’ Shaun clambered to his feet. ‘Either way, we’d better crack on.’

Thea got up too. ‘Shame the excavation at Mill Grange has to be done so soon; but with the site pivotal to the work therapy offered, it really is now-or-never excavation.’

‘Then it had better be now.’ Shaun got to his feet. ‘And if it doesn’t happen, at least I’ll have done all I can to try and get us there. Will you help me?’

‘That’s why I’m here, but I have no idea what I’ll be able to do. I’ve never had to deal with a girl like Sophie.’

‘No, I mean, will you help dig? With Sophie hiding, we’re a pair of hands down. I need you to wield a trowel. Are you game?’

‘Of course, but…’

‘But?’

‘How will Sophie react to her spot on the excavation being taken by someone else? Especially if that someone else is me?’

Shaun grunted. ‘I’m sick to death of worrying about what Sophie will do. Come on, this is an important excavation. It deserves to be done well. Let me introduce you to the lost church of St Guron.’

*

Helen could not have been more relieved to see Woody if she tried. As his lopsided stride brought him towards the dig, she felt the tension in her shoulders ease.

She had no real reason to be uptight, but with the sudden departure of Thea, and the imminent departure of Sam and Tina, the arrival of Tom felt like too much on her shoulders when she’d hoped for a temporary escape from responsibility.

It didn’t help that she was awful at small talk. Only minutes after Tom’s arrival that morning, they’d lapsed into a silence that held a distinctively awkward edge to it.

‘Helen!’ Woody waved as he reached the edge of the site. ‘You haven’t escaped Mill Grange’s clutches either then?’

She laughed, more from relief that someone had broken the tangible hush, than because of anything funny. ‘At least I just stayed. You left and still they rolled you back in.’

‘Always been a glutton for punishment. But fear not, I’m only here until Sam’s back. I was in the area having a bit of an extended holiday.’ Woody grinned. ‘Anyway, Gertrude was pining for me.’

‘Gertrude?’ Tom put down the pile of trowels he was sorting into separate tool packs. ‘Is that a friend of Mabel’s?’ He gave the newcomer a smile. ‘I’m Tom. Just started as the archaeology tutor.’

‘Woody. That’s fantastic, I fancy a bit of that myself.’

‘For now I’m just getting to grips with the place and helping Helen. Although, I suspect I’m just getting in the way of a tried and tested system.’

Helen felt herself going pink. ‘Not at all. It’s good to have company.’

Woody, picking up the vibe that Helen was finding working with someone she didn’t know difficult, oozed enthusiasm. ‘That’s as may be, but I think I should steal you away for a moment. If you are under the impression that Gertrude is a friend of the amazing Mabel, then your Mill Grange tour is incomplete. Allow me to put that right.’

‘That’s very kind but shouldn’t I do this?’ Tom regarded the half-sorted tool packs at his feet. ‘It’s only my first day. Don’t want to get in trouble with the boss yet.’

‘Don’t worry about that!’ Woody held up his hands as if to say he came in peace. ‘It was Sam’s idea. He thought you’d like a proper look round the grounds and house so you’ll know where it’s safe to bring your lad.’

‘He did?’

‘Sure.’ Woody stepped back as if to say he was ready to lead the way. ‘He’s under the impression you’ll need to be on dad duty sometimes.’

Unsure what to say, Tom put his work down and nodded to Helen. ‘I’ll be back later. Sorry about this.’

‘Not at all. Say hello to Gertrude for me.’

As she watched