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

sponge you can ever imagine.’ Mabel smiled wider than ever. ‘For me however, it has to be a Swiss roll. A home made one, rolled in a tea towel. My grandmother taught me how to make them.’

‘You know the old-fashioned cakes are often the best.’ Bea reached for the nearest recipe book and began to flick through the pages,

Exchanging glances with Mabel, Tina’s eyes darted back to the kitchen clock, prompting the older woman to say, ‘You know, it really is nearly lunch time. How about we get some soup going?’

Finding themselves ably assisted by Bea as they stirred soup and heated crusty rolls in the Aga, Tina suddenly said, ‘Do you think I should tell Sam what we’re up to? He’ll think we’ve got lost on the way to the loo.’

 ‘Don’t worry, it’ll do them good to have a talk on their own. Anyway, Charles won’t be interested in wedding stuff, and I’m dying to ask, have you got a dress? And if you have, can I have a peep?’

‘I haven’t, but if I had, you could certainly have a peep.’ Tina found herself relaxing further as Sam’s mum licked stray butter from her fingers. ‘Mabel is going to help me look for one.’

Mabel beamed. ‘Tina has asked Bert and me to be father and mother of the bride. I tell you, we fair near popped with pride.’

‘How wonderful!’ Bea clapped with enthusiasm. ‘I hope we’ll get to meet Bert. I’ve heard so much about him.’

As a slight cloud passed over Mabel’s face, Tina explained about Bert recovering from pneumonia, and being house bound for the time being.

‘Then I must go and visit him.’ Bea spoke as if it was a done deal. ‘I owe your husband for saving my son’s life.’

*

Not having anticipated being left alone with his father, Sam dug his hands into his pockets as he led the way around the side of the manor. ‘Do you think they’ll be long, Father? I’d rather like your opinion on something while Tina isn’t with us.’

Lord Malvern snorted. ‘If I know your mother, she had no need for the bathroom at all, but wanted an excuse to be nosey.’

Sam smiled. ‘In that case, would you mind a quick trip into the walled garden?’

‘Lead on.’ Lord Malvern surveyed the scene before him. ‘You weren’t exaggerating about the view over the gardens. It is quite something. Goes right down to Exmoor, am I right?’

‘It does.’ Wondering if his mother had given his father a stern talking to about being nice, Sam pushed open the gate to the walled garden. ‘It was the first thing I fell in love with at Mill Grange.’

‘And Tina was the second.’

‘Yes.’ Sam wasn’t sure how else to respond, so he shut the gate behind them and pointed to the far end of the garden. ‘Do you remember me telling you about our greenhouse when we visited Malvern House?’

‘Indeed. It was just after I’d had our orangery done up for your mother.’ Charles strode on, his head moving from side to side as he took in the rows of neat vegetable patches and the large chicken run.

‘I’d like to do ours up as a surprise for Tina. I’ve had some quotes done, but they were astronomical, so if possible, I’d like to do it up myself. I’d value your thoughts.’

‘Certainly.’

Coming to a stop before the tumbledown structure, Lord Malvern regarded it carefully. ‘A lot of work. Do you have the skills to set the panes of glass and so forth?’

‘Not yet. But I’m willing to learn.’

‘The wedding isn’t far off, even if you got a professional in. It’s unlikely you’d get the greenhouse ready before the end of May.’ Lord Malvern paused. ‘I’m assuming that was your plan?’

Sam sighed. ‘It was, but I’m having a rethink. What with work and everything, I haven’t even made a start on sourcing new glass, and neither Tom nor I can work out how to get the place done up secretly. There’s no way Tina would stay out of the walled garden for long enough. She loves the hens far too much.’

‘You couldn’t take her away on holiday before the wedding?’

‘Not a hope.’ Sam swallowed. ‘And there’s the other thing.’

‘Other thing?’ Lord Malvern sat on the bench by the chicken run and studied the greenhouse, his forehead creased in thought.

Sam took a deep breath. ‘Tina and I want to get married here, but—’

Charles’s placid demeanour disappeared and his shoulder’s stiffened. ‘Well if neither of you are worried about family or your mother’s feelings, then that is what you must do.’

Twenty-nine

Saturday April 4th

As they turned off the link road that led from the motorway towards Tiverton, Shaun pulled the car into the nearest lay-by.

Thea looked around in surprise. ‘Why have we stopped? Are you alright?’

‘I am, but I wasn’t sure if you were. The closer we’ve got to Upwich, the quieter you’ve become.’

Thea licked her lips, not wanting to ruin the day by telling him about the text message that had arrived on her phone shortly after they’d crossed the border from Gloucestershire into Somerset. It had been short and to the point; enforcing Julian’s offer of future presenting work and reminding her to keep the offer a secret.

‘I’m fine. Just enjoying the scenery.’ She smiled. ‘It’s been a lovely day.’

‘It has.’ Shaun picked up his phone, only to lower it again. ‘Do you have a phone signal here?’

Thea picked up her mobile. Three bars lit up her screen. She hesitated, not wanting to loan Shaun her phone in case another message from Julian arrived while he was using it. ‘Sorry, no. Did you want to call ahead for them to put the kettle on?’

‘No. I wanted to call that hotel and book us a room for the night on the way back to the dig.’

Guilt twisted in Thea’s stomach. ‘For a pre campervan cuddle?’

‘For a pre campervan toast crumb hunt.’

*

Sam had felt as if he was walking on eggshells ever since he’d followed Lord Malvern out