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

*

Tom spotted Sue’s Mini in a layby ten miles out of Upwich. He could see Sue, sat by herself, on the bonnet of the car. She was playing with a mobile phone in her hand. He couldn’t see Dylan.

Relief sent sweat trickling down his back. They must have broken down. Sue can’t have a phone signal. It’s okay. Dylan is okay.

Pulling into the small space left, Tom checked his watch. It was a quarter to twelve. Whatever he did, there was no way he’d be back before the wedding started.

‘Tom.’ Sue sounded resigned.

‘Where’s Dylan? Has the car broken down?’

‘Asleep in the back.’ She tilted her head to the car behind her. ‘And no, we haven’t broken down.’

‘Then what on earth…?’ Tom reined in his temper. ‘Sue, I have to take Dylan to get ready. He’s the ring bearer! The wedding is either going to run late or he’ll miss out on his big moment. All because of you!’

Sue looked up at Tom, meeting his eyes for the first time. ‘I needed to think, so I went for a drive. Dylan fell asleep.’

‘A drive? Sue, you’re impossible! Tina and Sam are getting married at twelve! Dylan is important to the ceremony. They’ll want him in the pre-wedding photographs.’

Sue looked at her watch. ‘Sorry. Lost track of time. I was thinking.’

‘Thinking?’ Not sure what to say, and knowing there was no time for a row, Tom bit his lip. ‘Is it okay if I take Dylan then?’

‘What?’

Tom stared at Sue. ‘Is it alright if I take Dylan to the manor? I’m not having you turn round and accuse me of kidnapping him or something!’

Now Tom looked closely, he could see that Sue had been crying. He wondered if she’d slept. ‘Are you alright?’ He shifted awkwardly. ‘Look, if you wanted to come too, I’m sure Tina and Sam wouldn’t mind. As long as we don’t argue at their wedding.’

‘Thanks, but I’ll pass.’ She paused as she unlocked the car. ‘I’d like a photograph though, if that’s okay. One of Dylan in his suit.’

‘I’ve already pre-ordered you one.’

‘Oh.’ Sue seemed to rally as she opened the back of the car and smoothed her sleeping son’s fringe. ‘I’ll collect him at four o’clock. On the dot.’

‘On the dot? Really? Does that mean Dylan and I can look forward to an hour or two sitting in the driveway waiting for you, or does it mean four o’clock?’

‘Don’t be petty.’

Biting his lip, Tom went to the Mini and opened the door. Dylan was sound asleep in his car seat, oblivious to his father’s arrival or his location. ‘Right. Four o’clock.’

‘Thank you.’ Sue pushed her hair from her eyes. ‘I’ll get his bag. He wanted to bring his new dinosaur toy to show Helen. Harriet gave it to him.’

Tom’s eyebrows rose in wary surprise. ‘Did Dylan tell you about Helen?’

‘I’d worked it out.’

‘Oh.’ Tom watched Dylan’s chest rise and fall gently in his sleep. ‘I was going to tell you about us, but after your news I—’

‘Neither of us have been exactly forthcoming lately. Look,’ Sue passed Tom Dylan’s rucksack, ‘at four, do you think you’ll have time to talk? There’s so much to sort out.’

‘I’m not sure.’ Tom unclipped Dylan from his seat, lifting his sleeping form out of the Mini. ‘If Sam and Tina don’t need me, maybe.’

‘Thanks.’

‘Right.’ Tom was suddenly worried about Sue, a sensation that was entirely new to him. ‘You are okay, aren’t you?’

‘Not really.’ Sue glanced at her watch. ‘Look, could I come after all? Do you think anyone would mind?’

An image of Helen flashed through his mind. ‘If you promise – and I mean promise – to keep a civil tongue in your head.’

‘I just want to see Dylan do his thing. Then maybe I’ll slope off to that café we went to.’

‘Get in, we’ll talk as we drive.’

Two minutes later, driving much faster than he normally would, Tom said, ‘Sybil’s Tea Rooms will be closed. Everyone’s at the wedding.’

‘The whole village?’

‘Yes. Sam and Tina are popular.’ Tom sighed. ‘They are also extremely kind, and I have no doubt they’ll make room for you. It will mean you meeting Helen, are you up to that today? You look like you haven’t slept.’

‘I haven’t.’

Tom glanced in the rear-view mirror. Dylan, despite moving from car to car, was still asleep. ‘Sue, come on, tell me what’s wrong.’

‘I…’

Tom’s voice became gentle. ‘Are you ill? Are your parents alright?’

Sue gave an overtired giggle. ‘I’m fine health wise, although I can see why guilt might kill people.’

‘Guilt?’ Tom was puzzled. ‘Look Sue, I am interested and despite everything I do care. If I can help I will, but do you think you could do me a favour before I listen to you?’

‘Sure.’

‘Can you call Shaun? His number is open on my phone. Tell him that I am half an hour away, and that if they want to go ahead with the wedding we’ll understand.’

*

Shaun ran across the gravel drive to where Thea and Helen were talking to Mabel and Sybil.

‘What is it?’ Thea’s eyes rested on the phone in Shaun’s hand. ‘Tom?’

‘Yes.’ He looked at Helen. ‘Well, sort of. I think it was Sue.’

Mabel’s eyes narrowed. ‘The woman who was so rude in your tearoom, Sybil.’

‘The one who doesn’t eat scones.’ Sybil’s forehead creased. ‘Are Tom and Dylan alright? I’ve got Dylan a strawberry milkshake to try today.’

‘All she said was that they are half an hour away, that she’s very sorry for the delay, that it is all her fault, and that Tom said to go ahead without them if we like, but they are coming.’

‘They?’ Helen looked at Thea. ‘They? As in, Tom and Dylan are coming with Sue?’

Sixty

Saturday May 23rd

Bert put out an arm for Tina to take. ‘Best foot forward?’

‘It’s time?’

‘Mabel just gave me a thumbs up through the window, so it’s time.’

Looping her arm through Bert’s, Tina confessed, ‘I’ve got a bit