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

‘Perhaps it’s not public knowledge yet?’ Thea laid her head on his shoulder. ‘We hadn’t heard had we?’

‘No, but we’re on a dig in the middle of the countryside with little Wi-Fi.’

‘Fair enough.’ Thea watched the water ripple as a fish brushed the surface before descending to its nightly rest. ‘Providing Landscape Treasure isn’t axed, I can’t see the problem.’

‘And if it is, I’ll come to Mill Grange and be your right-hand man.’

Thea smiled. ‘Would you now?’

‘Absolutely. Perhaps it’s time I gave it up anyway? I’m not exactly a youngster, and telly companies prefer women presenters now.’

Sitting up, Thea studied Shaun’s face. ‘You don’t want to give it up though, do you? I thought you loved your job.’

‘I do. It’s the best job ever, but I can’t see myself working with Julian for long. I’ve never wanted to punch anyone so much in my life.’

‘He does invite that feeling.’

Shaun kissed her forehead. ‘Shall we change the subject?’

‘Yes!’

Shaun laughed. ‘Looking forward to going back to Mill Grange for Easter?’

‘Hugely! We’ll be able to sleep together in a proper bed for a start.’

‘And then there’s Mabel’s bacon rolls.’

‘You are obsessed with those!’

‘True.’ Shaun poked her ribs. ‘How long after we’re back do you think it’ll be before you, Tina and Helen disappear to Sybil’s for a cheese scone or seven?’

‘Ohh, maybe half an hour?’

Seventeen

Friday March 27th

‘And how would it work exactly?

Sam looked almost as proud as Tom had done when Helen’d told him about the offer to write a book.

‘To begin with, it’s a case of working out how to best structure the book, something Tom’s already made a few suggestions about.’ Helen face coloured. ‘I hope you don’t mind that I spoke to Tom first. I wasn’t convinced I was capable of writing one in the first place, and you have so much on your plate at the moment. I didn’t want to bother you with it until I knew what needed doing.’

‘I’m glad Tom helped you decide to write it. It’s a great idea and, thinking with my business head on, it would be fantastic for Mill Grange. Not to mention your career.’ Sam beamed. ‘Have you spoken to Thea about it?’

‘I sent a text asking what she thought of the idea, but I haven’t heard back yet.’

‘Probably the mobile signal issue. I haven’t had a reply from Shaun about a few ideas I’ve had for this place either.’ Not wanting to elaborate, Sam said, ‘If you’re sure you have time, then I’d be delighted for you to do it, which brings me nicely onto something I’d like to discuss with you.’

‘Go on?’

‘Your time with us is almost up.’

Helen raised her eyes from the cup of coffee she was holding to the excavation they were sat next to. ‘It’s gone so fast. I’ll be sorry to leave.’

‘And we’ll be sorry to lose you.’ Getting up, Sam beckoned for Helen to join him on the fortlet’s west side. ‘Just look at this. We’d never have got so far without you. The book you’re going to write will be quite a story.’

‘You get that it’ll be non-fiction, right?’

‘Figure of speech.’ Sam looked beyond Upwich Fortlet to the false dig on the other side of the site. ‘Tom tells me he’s bringing at least one guest over to dig with you each day now.’

‘I’ve had three today. One, Cherry, would like to come back to learn more. What with Pete from last week, and that deaf chap the week before – sorry his name escapes me.’

‘Ian.’

‘Yes, Ian. We’re averaging a very good rebooking rate.’

‘Assuming they do rebook.’

‘Well, yes.’ Helen scanned the view before her, taking in the row of trestle tables covered in buckets and bowls for cleaning finds, and the piles of clipboards for recording information. ‘I’m going to miss getting my hands dirty.’

‘Not relishing going back to sitting in an office all day?’

‘It’ll be great to see the staff and the Baths themselves. It’s such a stunning place. You only have to be away a short time before you see a difference in it, even though, quintessentially, it doesn’t change.’

Not missing the sigh that Helen tried to hide, Sam pushed a little further. ‘And you’ll be looking forward to going back to your own home.’

‘More of my own space will be nice, no offence to your good self.’

‘None taken.’ Sam headed back to the bench and sat down, picking up his mug of tea as he did so. ‘This book, I’m assuming there’s a deadline?’

‘They want the first draft by Christmas; which seems frighteningly soon.’

‘Which begs another question, when will you find the time to write it? Your hours at the Baths are longer than those here, aren’t they?’

‘Well yes, although I don’t suppose we’re off duty much here when we have guests.’

‘That’s true.’ Sam grinned. ‘Next week we’ll have two vegans with us. Mabel’s going to wish she hadn’t come back to do the lunches.’

Helen laughed. ‘She does have a bit of a thing about vegans. I’ve noticed her tut rate increases when she can’t use cheese or butter in the meals.’

‘It’ll help keep her mind off Bert.’ Sam took a sip of tea. ‘Helen, I’m going to ask you a question, and I want you to promise me to think about it, okay?’

‘Okay.’ Helen clutched her cup tighter, she had a feeling she knew what he was going to ask, and had no idea how she’d answer.

‘I was talking with Tom and—’

‘Tom?’

‘Yes, is that alright? He is your colleague.’

‘Sorry, of course it is. I shouldn’t have interrupted. What did you want to ask me?’

‘Would you like to stay?’ Sam held up a hand before Helen could give any sort of answer. ‘Sooner or later the dig here will be finished. Then there’ll be work to do on preserving it and, ultimately, opening it to the public. Tom will need help running the test site, and he’ll need someone to secure him placements on real digs for those who decide to do the archaeology certificate scheme