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

situation, it means Bert does not need heavy duty equipment to help him. Our aim now, or should I say, the nursing staff have the aim of keeping Bert at that level and improving, rather than these episodes increasing and having to take him back down the corridor again.’

Heading to reception, the porter went to report Mabel’s arrival as Tina bent to her friend. ‘Are you alright, Mabel? I’m sure you could stay in the chair if you’d rather.’

Mabel however, was already rising to her feet with a slow dignity. ‘Bert is not seeing me in one of these things.’ She held a hand out to Tina. ‘You won’t tell him I had to be pushed here, will you? I don’t want him to worry.’

‘Of course I won’t.’ Tina’s heart constricted for the elderly couple as Jamie returned and held out both arms to Mabel and Tina.

‘Shall I escort madam and mademoiselle to Mr Hastings’ bedside?’

Mabel chuckled, her old self beginning to reassert itself in the face of the young man’s good humour. ‘We’d be delighted.’

Thirteen

Sunday March 22nd

Julian rubbed his hands as he watched Thea and Shaun work methodically across a small section of the bath house floor.

Shaun thought the producer looked like a cross between Ebenezer Scrooge and Fagin. There was something calculating about him; although Shaun was beginning to think he was the only one who saw it. Aware of the television cameras that were trained on them, Shaun laid down the trowel he’d been using and reached for a small soft brush to wipe away the grains of soil dotting the tiny section of mosaic that had been uncovered so far.

‘Cut.’ Julian nodded to the cameraman. ‘Take a break, mate. We’ll pick this up again once we’ve got a bit more on show.’

As the cameraman headed off for a late lunch, Thea smoothed her fingertips over the ten-centimetre-wide, metre long, rectangle of freshly exposed mosaic that would have once been the envy of many a merchant.

The bath house at Birdlip Villa, as they now called it, consisted of two sections; a small cold plunge pool, which was currently being dug by two members of Landscape Treasures regular team of archaeologists, and the main bath which, if the geophysics and test trenches could be believed, was going to rival the one at Chedworth Roman Villa in size.

Thea was about to ask Shaun what he thought the pattern might ultimately reveal itself to be, when Julian crouched on his haunches at the side of the dig, next to her shoulder.

‘After lunch, I thought we’d do the scheduled piece about the bath house and its potential with you, Thea, talking straight to camera. We don’t need it to be a discussion with you, Shaun, as it’s clear you know the answers to each other’s questions already.’ Julian turned to his lead presenter. ‘Best not to patronise the audience, don’t you think?’

Giving Thea an, “I told you so look”, Shaun climbed from the trench. ‘Whatever you say, Julian.’

‘But I haven’t rehearsed it on my own.’ Thea panicked. ‘I’m not sure what to say?’

Julian brushed the matter aside as a mere formality. ‘You can look at the script notes over lunch. You’ll be brilliant, won’t she, Shaun?’

‘She will.’ Shaun reached out a hand to Thea, pointedly keeping hold of her palm after he’d helped pull her from the trench.

‘How long have we got until you need me?’ The buzz of nerves Thea associated with the camera being trained on her fizzed in her stomach. She wasn’t sure she’d be able to eat until her next piece of commentary was done.

‘Only half an hour, so make the most of it.’

The moment Julian was out of earshot, Thea turned to Shaun. ‘I know what you’re going to say, but I still think you’re wrong. He’s right; it is obvious we know what the other is thinking. We really don’t want to talk down to the audience.’

‘Funny how that’s never occurred to any of the other producers we’ve had on the show when I’ve interviewed guests in the past.’

Thea groaned. ‘Shaun, please, this can’t go on. We have to work with this guy, and I could do with your help if I have to perform solo without preparation time.’

Shaun hugged her close. ‘Sorry, love. Green eyed monster.’

‘Well get rid of the damn thing! There is no need to be jealous, but there’s every need for strong coffee and script practice.’

‘And a bacon roll.’ Shaun kissed the top of her head. ‘I don’t know about you, but I really miss Mabel’s bacon rolls.’

*

Sam pulled the car into the car park of The Exeter Arms between Tiverton and Upwich, and leapt out to open the door for Mabel.

‘Come on, it’s a lovely sunny afternoon. Let’s have a drink and a late lunch, or early dinner. I’m not sure which, hospital time always throws me.’

Mabel took Sam’s hand as he helped her from the backseat. ‘That would be lovely. I couldn’t eat a thing before we saw Bert. I’m rather peckish now.’

 Tina pointed to a large picnic bench in the sunshine. ‘You two get settled, I’ll fetch some tea, coffee and menus, unless you want a stronger drink, Mabel?’

‘I’m tempted to have gin! But actually, a cup of tea sounds heavenly. And don’t worry about a menu Tina, love. Just grab me anything straightforward. Scampi and chips, lasagne, something simple.’

‘Sam?’

‘Yep, coffee and whatever Mabel’s having food wise.’

Mabel watched as Tina headed into the pub. ‘You’ve got a good lass there.’

‘Don’t I know it!’ Sam shifted awkwardly. ‘You think I’d be used to her having to go into pubs and stuff and do the ordering, but it still feels wrong.’

‘That’s because you’re a gentleman. I used to have to do the same for Bert. You can imagine how that went down in the 1940s and 50s! Bert was teased constantly for it. Drove him mad. Still…’

Sam could well imagine. Not for the first time was grateful that, if he had to have seen hell, he’d witnessed