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

the bedrooms; Thea and Tina would not be impressed at having to make the beds up again before the 5th.’

‘Noted. Much appreciated.’

‘While you’re here, Tom,’ continued Sam, gesturing around the empty space, ‘d’you fancy helping us decide how to change this space into the equipment store? We’ll need shelves, hooks and so on. I’d welcome your input. This is going to be your domain after all.’

*

The silence had been going on so long that it was becoming solid. Thea didn’t know where to look, so she studied the plate of chocolate Bath Oliver biscuits before her in intricate detail.

Every now and then she’d risk glancing through her fringe to see Lord Hammett, his face serene and expectant, staring at his wife. The sense that her ladyship was seething hung in the air. Out of the corner of her eye, Thea could see Sophie on the sofa, her knees tucked under her chin. The only comfort Thea could draw from the situation was that Sophie wasn’t slumped or sulking, just waiting for the residue of the storm just past to blow over.

Another painful two minutes passed before Lord Hammett spoke. ‘Are we to take it then, that you’re in agreement with the plan to keep the excavation open, to have the Cornish Heritage team remain here and finish up the current opened trenches properly and that you are accepting of the fact that our daughter could be part of that team, and will use the practical side of her work to help get her the degree she’s been studying for?’

Sophie’s head shot up as her father went on. ‘You’ve not said no, my dear, and as I said earlier, we did agree that Sophie’s happiness was paramount.’

‘You did?’ Sophie’s jaw dropped as she stared from one parent to the other.

Lady Hammett said nothing, but to Thea that was a major improvement from the shouting that had ensued when her husband had informed her that Sophie had settled well into the dig team and had even made a friend.

Addressing Sophie, Lord Hammett said, ‘I suggest you go and get ready for your interview. What time was it to be held, Thea?’

‘As soon as Sophie was free.’ Thea turned to the young woman. ‘Dan’s in the big van; the one with the open back you can sit inside. He isn’t expecting interview clothes or anything.’

Clearly in shock, Sophie muttered, ‘A job to work on the archaeology team here? For Cornish Heritage?’

Before Lady Hammett could pounce on this opening, and suggest Sophie shouldn’t apply for a job that didn’t come with a formal request, or the need to wear a business suit, Lord Hammett said, ‘Perhaps you’d go with Sophie, Thea. Give her a few tips.’

Guiding Sophie out of the drawing room, Thea flashed her eyes in Shaun’s direction, silently wishing him luck.

*

Having bustled a shell-shocked Sophie into the trailer to wait for Dan, with strict instructions to talk about how she’d located the church and her passion for the area, Thea headed to the excavation. The final trench was almost pared back to the original church floor. She could see Phil in discussion with the camera team getting ready to film. Returning to the area of trench she’d been getting ready to draw before Dan had arrived to discuss the potential of a handover, Thea had only just picked up her clipboard, when Phil waved frantically at her to join him.

Wondering what had gone wrong this time, Thea got to his side in seconds. ‘You alright, Phil?’

‘Where the hell is Sophie? You persuaded me to let her stay on screen, and we need to finish up here. We’ve only three pieces to camera left to shoot, and this one is all about the local area and the time between the Romans and the Normans on Bodmin Moor. Sophie is supposed to be delivering it right now.’

‘Ah.’

‘Ah?’ Phil did not look amused.

‘Dan’s interviewing Sophie for a job on the ongoing team here.’ Thea glanced towards the house, hoping to see Shaun come out, but there was no sign of him. ‘Should I fetch Shaun?’

‘Not if he’s working his charm on Lady Hammett. We need this done. Come on Thea, you know about the Romans, you can be our visiting expert. Here.’

Shoving the script into her hand, Phil marched over to the cameramen, explaining the change of presenter while beckoning to the make-up lady to do the best she could as fast as possible.

*

Thea sat next to Sophie, resting her back against the side of Guron House. ‘So, did you get the job?’

Sophie nodded. Her lips moved, but the squeak that emerged was inaudible.

‘What’s wrong? I thought you’d be thrilled.’ Thea was puzzled.

‘I am.’

As Sophie peered up through her fringe, Thea realised she’d been crying. Gloops of mascara clung to the end of her eyelashes, making her look like she’d stepped out of a gothic opera.

‘Are those happy tears then?’

Sniffing loudly, Sophie blew her nose on a screwed-up tissue. ‘I overheard Phil saying that Treasure Hunters will have to do Mill Grange because of the hold-ups here. Shaun sounded so disappointed. That’s my fault.’

Only just managing not to snap, Thea said, ‘You weren’t to know how much Mill Grange needed the television coverage.’

‘I did, actually.’ Sophie swallowed. ‘But I was only trying to help. Really. I told you when I gave you the phone, I said I was helping.’

‘Did you?’

‘You walked off and—’

‘I wasn’t in the mood for listening at the time.’ Thea sat up straight, her pulse suddenly racing. ‘I’m listening now.’

Rubbing her eyes, Sophie spoke fast, the words galloping from her mouth, as if she’d been desperate to set them free. ‘You’ve been so kind to me. Even helped me get a job, and I’ve ruined things for you guys. But I genuinely thought I was helping. It’s not as if I could get into his phone’s email function anyway.’

‘Get into his emails?’ Shaun’s phone? Thea held up a hand and cut through Sophie’s outpouring of guilt. ‘Just how were