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

‘Do you like it?’ Dylan had wanted her to save his present until last, and now, as Helen held up the A4 sized notebook with a cartoon dinosaur on the front, complete with a dinosaur pen and pencil case, she knew that, if someone didn’t rescue her soon, she’d burst into tears.

‘It is the most perfect gift of all, Dylan, thank you.’ She gave his cheek a kiss, making him grimace and wipe it off with his sleeve, which, in turn, made everyone laugh. ‘What shall I write in it?’

‘Stories!’ Dylan started to bounce around the room, making Helen wonder how much of the sugar he’d had off the top of the lemon cake. ‘The stories you do me at bedtime. My stories.’

‘That’s a great idea.’ Helen slipped her new pen into the pencil case. She had no idea how to write a children’s story, but suspected she was about to learn.

Mabel, who’d been keeping a careful eye on the time, stood up. ‘I hate to break up the party, but we have two hours until the Easter egg hunt starts.’

Tina nodded. ‘Best get busy then. Sorry, Helen.’

‘Sorry?’ Helen shook her head. ‘How can you be sorry? I’ve never been spoilt like this, ever. And I’m looking forward to the hunt.’ She turned to Dylan. ‘Got that map ready for hiding the goods?’

Tom had been relatively quiet as his friends and his son fussed over Helen, asking about Bath and her plans; making sure she knew this would always be a second home, even if she didn’t come back permanently. Now, as the party broke up, he caught her eye. ‘Do you have time for a quick word before you are covered in chocolate?’

‘As soon as I’ve helped clear up this lot.’

Batted away from having to tidy up by both Tina and Thea, as Sam steered Dylan towards the egg mountain in the drawing room, Helen found herself in the scullery turned office with Tom.

Something’s happened. Sue must have told him when Dylan’s leaving. Helen found her pulse racing, and suddenly her euphoria turned to nausea.

‘I wanted to say Happy Birthday privately.’

Feeling her rush of anxiety lessen as Tom’s lips met hers, Helen leaned into his arms.

‘Did you like all your gifts?’

‘Loved them.’ Helen smiled. ‘The mini dustpan and brush set from Mabel might have made us all chuckle, but actually, it will come in very useful.’

‘Here.’ Tom fished a small box, all wrapped in gold paper, form his pocket. ‘From me. I wanted to give it to you alone.’

‘But I’ve had your present.’

‘The notebook? That was from Dylan.’

Her fingers suddenly clumsy, Helen unpeeled the sticky tape to relieve a small jewellery box. Hesitating, she glanced at Tom.

‘Go on. It won’t bite.’

Angling back the lid, Helen gasped at the delicate silver chain sat on a square of velvet. It was a pendant of a small silver trowel.

‘It’s beautiful. Wherever did you find it?’

‘That doesn’t matter. I’m just relieved you like it. I wasn’t sure, with your incredible hair colouring, if silver or gold would be best.’

‘I love it.’ Helen was already lifting it from the box to fasten it around her neck. ‘Thank you.’

Tom admired how the trowel pendant sat neatly just above the dive of her cleavage. ‘Looks good. A bit too good actually, I don’t think I’d better let my eyes linger.’

Laughing, Helen held him close. ‘I love it and I love you, but now it’s Mill Grange’s turn to be showered with attention. Ready for the chocolate onslaught?’

‘As I’ll ever be. Dylan has already had a visit from the Easter Bunny. It’ll be a miracle if he isn’t sick by teatime.’

*

Thea had lost count of how many empty tea and coffee cups she’d carried back to the kitchen. She was sure the whole of Upwich had come to see how the manor had changed since it was last opened to the public, just before Sam bought the house. When Shaun and I got together.

As she stacked the dishwasher, Thea tried and failed to stop the next logical thought. And this time it’s when Shaun and I split up.

She hadn’t heard from him since he returned to the dig site. Thea had lost count of the number of times she’d almost called him, almost texted, almost emailed. But as he’d walked out on her, and he hadn’t been in touch, she resisted temptation so far.

When she wasn’t thinking about Shaun, she was worrying about what Julian might be saying to him. Had he lost his job? Would any change at Landscape Treasures mean trouble for the AA as well?

Thea had almost called Ajay, but knowing how much he liked to gossip, she hadn’t dare.

Glad that there was so much to do at Mill Grange, Thea checked her watch. She had ten minutes before she was due to give a tour of the house. Just time to run up to the attic and stuff a few clothes into her rucksack.

Tomorrow she had to return to the Cotswolds, whether she wanted to or not. However things were with Shaun and Julian, she was determined to be professional and return to finish the additional filming they wanted to do over the mosaic.

Besides, she thought as she stuffed her cosiest pyjamas into her packing, I helped to find that mosaic. I’d like to see it again.

Flinging a pair of boots onto the bed, Thea checked the time and ran down the servant stairs, before stopping. As she paused to gather herself, she heard Dylan and Helen chatting happily about how fast the eggs were being found. Sticking on the fake smile that she seemed to have worn as a constant mask over the past few days, Thea headed to the main door, where her next group of guests would be gathering.

Forty-nine

Monday April 13th

The back of the Land Rover was full of balloons. Helen hadn’t wanted to leave Mill Grange – but this time there were no