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

‘Not a word. Why?’

‘With the dig nearly being over, and us having a weekend break soon, I wondered if he would say anything else about the future of the show.’

‘Our show or Treasure Hunters?’

‘Ours. The more I think about what he was saying over dinner the other week, the more I think he knows something we don’t.’

Shaun shook his head. ‘If the TV company wanted to make a change of presenter, they’d have to tell me. I can’t see it happening. Landscape Treasures gets great ratings. And even if Treasure Hunters is upgraded, so what? Why can’t people enjoy both shows?’

‘You’re probably right.’

‘Julian’s not been near me beyond work requirements since that meal.’ Shaun stared towards the producer. ‘Now I think about it, he hasn’t been around much at all lately.’

‘Can’t say I miss him in the pub in the evenings.’ Thea watched as Julian turned his charm on the female reporter. ‘Where does he go instead?’

‘Haven’t a clue.’ Shaun pointed to the site. ‘I think they’re done. Come on, they could have more questions for us.’

 Thea’s palms prickled as they walked back to the bath house. She’d hoped Shaun would know of an innocent reason why Julian had stopped socialising with them after work. She had a horrible suspicion that it was because he’d got whatever it was he wanted, and no longer felt he had to try and impress the team. Or me.

*

Tom held the painting in his hands as carefully as if it had been painted by Renoir. A lump came to his throat as Mrs Harley explained why his son’s artwork was on display.

The painting was of Mill Grange. The brown square with extra painted squares to the side, which Tom guessed represented the kitchen and the storeroom, had three out of proportion figures stood before it. A man, a woman with a boy between them.

That’s Helen. Will Sue realise?

Mrs Harley was talking about composition and how hard Dylan had concentrated on the painting. Sue meanwhile, was saying nothing. Her smile had become tight.

Plus, that’s not her and Dylan’s home. It’s Mill Grange.

 ‘Do you like it, Dad?’ Dylan was sounding anxious, and Tom was suddenly aware he’d been quiet for a long time.

‘I love it!’ He gave his son a hug. ‘That’s the kitchen, isn’t it?’

‘Yes,’ Dylan nodded, ‘and that’s the bench we sit on for lunch.’

Passing the work of art back to Mrs Harley, Tom held Dylan’s hand. ‘I can’t wait to tell everyone about it.’

‘You can take a photograph of it, if you like, Mr Harris.’ Mrs Harley gestured for Dylan to lay the picture flat on the art table. ‘It’ll be a few weeks before that display comes down and Dylan can take the picture home.’

As her son and ex-partner shot into action with Tom’s phone’s camera, Sue tartly asked, ‘And how’s his maths and English? Rather more important than art, don’t you think?’

*

‘Would you like to join us for dinner?’ Sue hovered on the doorstep. ‘I’m sure Dylan would like that.’

Tom could see his son at the far end of the narrow hallway, stacking his trainers onto the shoe rack. ‘I’d like that too, but I promised I’d be on hand tonight, to help with the guests. Making up for time off this afternoon.’

‘Yes, of course.’ Sue turned her face away.

‘Anyway,’ Tom said, ‘I thought you booked an early slot at school because you were going out tonight.’

‘What? Oh yes, well, I am.’

‘Sue?’

‘I am! But not until eight. It’s only five now. Plenty of time for you to share fish finger sandwiches and oven chips with Dylan.’

‘You said, join us for dinner, not just Dylan.’

‘Same thing!’ Sue glowered. ‘What’s with the questioning?’

‘Forget it.’ Tom shook his head. ‘As long as I’m not letting Dylan down by not staying, I’d better get back. Don’t want to use up all Sam and Tina’s goodwill before Dylan’s even moved in.’

‘He said he’ll have his own room soon because your friend Helen is leaving.’

‘Yes.’ Tom kept his gaze focused on the house. ‘She works at the Roman Baths. Mill Grange was a sabbatical.’

‘You’ll miss her.’

It was a statement, not a question, but Sue still managed to sound as if she was sucking a lemon as she spoke.

‘Of course I will. We’ve worked together for six months.’ Tom turned away with a wave to Dylan. ‘I should go. Thanks for inviting me along. I’m so proud of Dylan.’

‘Me too.’ Sue quickly added, ‘You know I want the best for him, don’t you? Whatever I do, it’s because I love Dylan.’

‘Of course it is.’ Unease made Tom look Sue straight in the eye. ‘Is everything alright?’

‘I’m fine, it’s just… that painting. It wasn’t here and it wasn’t me. It was of your house and one of your friends. Helen, I suspect.’

‘I know. I’m sorry.’

Twenty-four

Thursday April 2nd

They were the last people left in the drawing room. The guests had turned in, tired after a week of open air and physical exercise, all bemoaning that they’d have to leave in the morning, with calls of “the week’s gone so fast” and “we must come again”.

Sam and Tina had gone to bed and the fire had been dampened down for the night.

Getting up from her armchair, Helen joined Tom on the sofa. Beyond a brief thumbs up, to let her know it had gone well at school, they hadn’t had a minute alone since Tom had returned to Mill Grange.

‘So, how was it?’

 ‘Amazing. Dylan has settled in really well. His maths and English are good for a lad of his age, and you already know his reading is good.’

‘Was his teacher alright with you?’ Helen laid her head on his shoulder as Tom’s hand automatically sought out her curls, teasing them between his fingers. ‘Sue hadn’t said anything bad about you?’

‘Mrs Harley was very nice. All she said was that she hoped I’d settled into my new job, and that she’d arranged for all the correspondence Sue gets, to come to