Spring Blossoms at Mill Grange by Jenny Kane (a court of thorns and roses ebook free txt) 📗

Mabel opened her palatial handbag. ‘They could watch from the signing table. There’s plenty of time for me to get their frame polished and in place before the wedding starts.’

Without waiting for a debate, Mabel popped the photograph in her bag. ‘Now then. Let’s have a look at you.’

*

Shaun saw his mobile light up a second before it buzzed into life.

‘Tom? You okay? Need help with getting Bert ready? I was just going to call, you’ve been…’

Thirty seconds later, Shaun, dragging his suit jacket over his back, making sure the wedding rings were safely stowed in his inside pocket, picked up his car keys and dashed down the backstairs to the driveway.

Stopping to text Sam to say he was off to provide an extra pair of hands at Bert’s, and that they may be a touch behind schedule, but not to worry, Shaun drove to Upwich as fast as the speed limit and narrow lanes would allow.

Less than ten minutes later, he was with an anxious looking Bert, who was stood on the doorstep.

‘Shaun? Aren’t you supposed to be doing photos with Sam?’ Bert gave a hoarse cough. Shaking it off, he asked, ‘Where’s Tom and young Dylan?’

‘Now that, Bert, is the question.’

Fifty-nine

Saturday May 23rd

Thea and Helen stood back to back, their widest smiles on their faces, as the photographer took a picture of them beneath the apple tree.

As blossom fell around them like tiny dry snowflakes, Helen tried to concentrate on holding her posy of flowers and looking happy, rather than worrying that there was no sign of Tom or Dylan. Meanwhile, Thea, also worrying about Tom and Dylan, was trying not to wonder if Shaun would want to expand on the conversation they’d had the previous evening, or if, after a night’s sleep, he’d decided enough was enough, and they’d be better off as friends.

When the photographer had finally finished with them, both bridesmaids made a dive for the mobile phones they’d hidden under the table Mabel had insisted they set up for the empty glasses people were bound to accidentally carry through from the main garden to the walled one.

‘Anything?’ Thea asked as Helen studied her screen.

‘Nothing.’ Helen looked across to where Sam and his parents were chatting by the chicken coop. ‘I’m going to have to tell Sam, aren’t I?’

‘Maybe.’ Thea was about to put her phone down, when a text vibrated in her hand. ‘It’s Shaun.’

‘You okay?’ Helen saw her friend’s eyes cloud for a split second, before she let out a deep breath.

‘Shaun’s with Bert, apparently he nodded off and there’ll be a short delay. They’ll be here as soon as possible.’

‘Oh thank goodness!’ Helen looked anxiously towards the house. ‘That gives Tom at least another fifteen minutes to get here.’

‘He might be with Bert.’

Helen shook her head. ‘Shaun would have said.’

Thea spotted Mabel coming through the gate to the garden. ‘We’d better go and tell her. I bet she’s already twitching that the best man photos haven’t started yet.’

*

‘Thanks for doing that, Bert.’

‘Not at all.’ Bert held out his right arm so Shaun could help him into his jacket. ‘Mabel will easily believe I dropped off. Better she gives me an earful later than stresses now and worries Sam and Tina.’

Shaun looked at his phone. There was still nothing new from Tom. ‘Well, if we dawdle for another ten minutes, and then drive over to the house, we should buy Tom a bit more time.’

A shadow cast over Bert’s face. ‘I hope Dylan’s alright.’

*

Mabel was beginning to run out of things to say as the minutes ticked by on the drawing room clock, when Thea put her head around the door.

‘Helen just had a text from Tom, they got a bit delayed, but they’re on their way.’

Tina puffed out an exhalation of air. ‘I was getting worried. I mean, I know weddings often run late, but I feel like I’ve been pacing in here for hours.’

‘I know, I’m sorry.’ Thea pulled a face. ‘Why don’t you sit down?’

‘I don’t want to crease my dress before the ceremony.’ Tina stroked her skirt. ‘Is that silly?’

‘Not at all.’ Thea smiled, as a memory of pre-Mill Grange Tina, who’d loved dressing up in pretty clothes, popped through her mind. ‘Fear not though, everyone is happy out there. The drink is flowing, although Sybil is making sure the alcohol consumption is low! And better still, you have a visitor.’

Thea opened the door and Bert came in.

With a nod to Thea, Mabel gave her husband her seal of approval. ‘Very smart, my boy, very smart indeed. We’ll be outside waiting. As soon as Dylan is here, we’ll begin.’

As the door shut behind his wife, Bert took a step forward and held out both his hands for Tina to take. ‘Beautiful. Just beautiful. No other word will do.’

Suddenly choked, Bert, a glaze of tears over his eyes, held Tina’s palms tightly. Her fitting ecru dress flattered her slim figure, the bodice neatly tied, allowing her just enough room to breathe. A slim panel of lace along the top of the bodice was twinned with the lace detail in the short veil that sat, pushed back, over her golden ringlets.

‘I know I’m not your father, but I do know that if he were here, he’d be as bowled over as I am. This is an honour and a privilege.’

‘Thank you.’ Tina’s eyes shone with gratitude. ‘Not just for this, but for always being there for me and Sam. Really, Bert, I don’t know what we’d do without you.’

‘You’d muddle along just fine!’

Throwing caution to the wind, and risking a crease or two, Tina gave Bert a big hug. ‘Have you seen Sam? Is he okay?’

‘He’s just fine. With his parents at the moment. That’s a good family you’re marrying into.’

Tina laughed. ‘Can’t get much better than an earl and countess.’

Bert chuckled, ‘Oh that’s just window dressing lass. I meant, they are nice people. Now then,’ he stretched his arms out, ‘let me sit down and