Autumn Leaves at Mill Grange by Jenny Kane (the little red hen ebook .txt) 📗

I was little, I used to worry that Father Christmas would go down the wrong one.’

‘Wrong one?’

‘Only three of the chimneys work. The one to the far right, at the back, is blocked.’

Tina could easily imagine a young Sam fretting about Santa being wedged in a dead chimney. It occurred to her that perhaps Sam had always been wary of confined spaces, but she said nothing.

After another three minutes, Tina asked, ‘Do you think we should get out of the car?’

‘Yes.’ Sam stared at his hands as if he was amazed to see them on the wheel.

When Sam still didn’t move, Tina whispered, ‘I have a confession. I emailed your mum.’

A mixture of emotions from confusion to annoyance to gratitude flew across Sam’s face so fast that Tina wasn’t sure which one was winning as he murmured, ‘What about?’

‘I didn’t want you to feel pressured about going inside when we got here. Nor did your mum.’ Tina held his hand tighter. ‘Please don’t be cross. I wasn’t interfering, I was worried about you.’

‘Perhaps you’d better tell me what the upshot of my mother’s unexpected tiptoe into modern technology was.’

‘If we go into the back garden, you’ll see.’ Getting out of her seat, Tina ran around the car to where Sam sat. ‘We weren’t ganging up on you. I know how important it is to you that today goes well, but that’s nothing compared with how much your mum wants this to work.’

Thawing a little, Sam swallowed. ‘What have you planned then?’

‘You aren’t angry?’

‘A bit put out, but only because I hate that this sort of plotting is needed in the first place.’

Not sure if this was Sam saying he was okay with the situation or not, Tina thought about the message she’d sent to Lady Malvern, asking if they could eat outside, and how hard Sam was working on beating his claustrophobia. I wish that hadn’t been a lie. The response had been swift and positive. His mum had given Tina the impression that she was as supportive of her son as her husband was dismissive.

‘Shall we go then?’ Hoping she wasn’t shaking on the outside as well as on the inside, Tina watched as Sam unpeeled each finger from the wheel and stiffly got out of the car. He looked as if he was standing to attention.

Looping her arm in his, Tina whispered, ‘Your mum is waiting for us around the back.’

‘And my father?’

‘No idea.’ She held him tighter. ‘Just remember, you have faced guns and mortar fire, bombs and more. Your father is one man. One man who you don’t have to see again after today if this doesn’t go well. Think about Bert, think how he got through and take courage in the fact that you will too. Think about every step you’ve made since we met. You use an indoor bathroom for goodness’ sake. Could you have done that a year ago?’

‘No.’

‘Coming here today is another step in moving forward. I’m convinced you need to face your father, before you can move on further.’

Exhaling slowly, Sam glanced at the tall red-brick structure to his side. ‘I miss my mother.’

‘Of course you do.’ Tina laid her head on his shoulder. ‘This is as much for her as for you.’

Sam nodded. ‘Whatever it is you two have cooked up, thank you.’

Tina kissed his cheek. ‘Thank me afterwards.’

‘I think I’m ready now.’ Sam fixed a brave smile to his face. ‘One more thing before we head around the back.’

‘Tell me.’

‘Can you make sure my ponytail is hidden down the back of my jumper? One of the first things I learnt in the army is that it’s better not to give the enemy any ammunition.’

Tucking a few stray hairs down his collar, Tina made no mention of the fact that Sam had finally admitted he’d been in the army.

Thirty-Eight

September 24th

Tina’s heartbeat got faster and faster as they walked along the side of Malvern House.

‘How many rooms inside? It feels like we’re never going to reach the back garden.’

Sam peered at the rows of windows as they passed. ‘More than I remember. I swear it’s grown in my absence.’

‘We’ve got used to Mill Grange. I bet my old place in Taunton would feel minuscule now.’

‘Probably.’

Keen to keep Sam diverted, Tina kept up the small talk. ‘Although I did love it there. I was lucky with my housemates too.’

‘I’m sorry I never met them.’

‘We got on well, but were never close. That’s why it worked, I think. Separate lives, working at different times and such. Nothing to fall out over.’ Tina risked a sideways glance at Sam’s face. He looked wary, as she kept talking. ‘We were more acquaintances than friends.’

‘You’re glad you left though?’

‘Yes of course.’ Tina hugged his arm. ‘I couldn’t cope without Mabel’s lunches for a start.’

‘You’re a good cook. Your lemon cakes are out of this world.’

‘Thank you.’ She sounded rueful. ‘Wish I was good at cooking other things. A man can’t live by cake alone.’

‘This man would give it a good try.’

Tina’s mouth went dry as they reached the perfectly right-angled back corner of Malvern House. ‘We’re nearly there. I’m a bit nervous too. Your mum was friendly online, but what if she hates me when we meet?’

‘Don’t be ridiculous,’ Sam snapped. ‘Which back garden are we heading to?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘I told you – the land runs on forever. There are twelve separate gardens, an orchard, a few acres of pastures, some fields for horses, a meadow and a pond.’ Sam sounded exasperated, as if he wished himself a million miles away. ‘Where will your plotting take us?’

‘I wouldn’t call it plotting exactly; we just…’

Sam stopped walking, bringing his girlfriend to a halt next to him. ‘Oh hell! That came out all wrong.’ He stroked a finger across her worried face. ‘I know that whatever you’ve sorted with Mum was to help. I’m just so nervous. The instinct to get back in the car and drive away, so I don’t have to go inside