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

 The bonfire Sam and Tina had organised for her last night, with jacket potatoes and slightly too much Prosecco, had been the perfect end to a successful day.

The Easter egg hunt had pulled in so many people that Tina and Tom had to do an emergency run to the village shop to buy up all of their leftover eggs, and even then, all but four had been hunted down by the eager locals and passing tourists.

As she swung out of the village, Helen allowed her mind to drift over the night with Tom. Every time they were together it was better than the time before. She couldn’t believe how her body responded to his touch, and marvelled that he found her Rubenesque curves so exhilarating.

‘I’m forty, but I’m not alone and I’m not lonely.’

A cloud passed over her thoughts as she considered how Tom would cope without Dylan within hugging distance. She’d have to be there for him. ‘I will be.’

Goodness knows how Mabel and Bert will take the news when Tom tells them.

*

Thea didn’t allow herself to look at the signposts stating how far she was from Stow-on-the-Wold as she drove her car along the Fosse Way. The hotel she and Shaun had stayed at before Easter could only be a few miles away, and she couldn’t prevent herself from reflecting on how different the drive from the dig to Stow had been to her return trip.

She’d never imagined that when she went back to the Cotswolds, she’d be alone. Her palms were sweaty against the wheel, her nerves coming from thoughts about what sort of reception she and Shaun would get from their colleagues now they were separated, rather than any anxiety about appearing in front of the cameras again. Will Ajay and Andy still talk to me? After all, they’ve been Shaun’s friends for years. I’m just the girlfriend – ex girlfriend. At least, I think I am.

Unsure if it would be easier to accept they were apart if one of them had actually said the words, or if it would have just made it worse, Thea snapped at herself, ‘We’re grownups for goodness sake, we don’t need to spell out the obvious.’

Thea pushed her shoulders back in a way she’d seen Mabel do when she was trying not to worry about Bert. ‘Minerva, I know I neglected you while I was with Shaun, but any wisdom you could throw my way right now would be welcome.’

Keeping her eyes on the road, looking ahead for a garden centre she was sure she remembered being along this stretch of the Fosse Way, so she could pop in and compose herself over a coffee before arriving at Birdlip, Thea tried to focus on the reason for her journey.

*

Tina hummed happily as she scattered some feed into the chicken run. For the first time in weeks she relaxed. The wedding plans were on schedule, and although Shaun was currently AWOL, she was sure that, whatever the situation with Thea, he wouldn’t let them down. And, if he did, Sam had assured him that Tom would step up to the role of best man, with no hard feelings about not being asked to do the job in the first place.

She couldn’t wait to see Dylan dressed in a little suit of his own; he’d been so excited when they’d asked him if he’d like to be Shaun’s right hand man, and be in charge of the wedding rings. ‘Looks like I’ll have both bridesmaids, the best man, the ring bearer and the usher all in place after all, Gertrude.’ Tina dropped a slice of apple at her favourite hen’s feet. ‘I do wish Thea and Shaun were alright though.’

As Gertrude gave the chicken equivalent of an unhelpful shrug, Tina laughed. ‘Maybe I shouldn’t leave them to sort things of themselves? Maybe I should give them a helping hand.’

A blunt cluck seemed to warn Tina against interfering.

‘You think I should let them get on with things themselves and not interfere?’ Tina tugged at her right pigtail as she watched Betty and Mavis home in on Gertrude’s apple slice. ‘I tell you what, I’ll give them until the wedding. If they haven’t swallowed their mutual pride and come to their senses, I’ll sit them down and make them talk to each other.’

All three hens looked at her.

‘You think that’s a bad idea.’ Tina wondered if they were right. Perhaps there wasn’t any going back for Thea and Shaun this time.

*

The campervan she’d used before was just where she’d left it. As were Shaun’s, Ajay’s, Andy’s and three others, which Thea presumed belonged to Hilda, who did their makeup and hair, and a camera and sound man. Otherwise, the field behind the pub was empty. All of Landscape Treasures regular diggers, and the local archaeology team diggers, had gone.

Thea threw her rucksack into the camper, and turned to the pub. If she knew anything about archaeologists, that’s where they’d be if they weren’t digging. Not waiting to ask herself if she was ready to see Shaun or not, Thea strode towards The Carthorse.

Andy and Ajay were huddled over two pints of beer and a plate of sandwiches. There was no side of Shaun or, thankfully, Julian.

With a deep breath she approached the table. ‘Hi, boys.’

‘Thea!’ Ajay stood up as she came towards them. ‘It’s great to see you.’

There was something about his tone that made her uneasy. ‘You sound surprised to see me.’

‘Well, yes. I mean, after what happened…’ Ajay’s sentence petered out as he got up. ‘Can I get you a drink?’

‘Coffee please.’

As Ajay left, Thea looked at Andy expectantly, ‘How do you mean, “after what happened?” What did Shaun say to make you think I wasn’t coming back to finish the job properly?’

‘Shaun didn’t say anything. It was Julian. He said you’d decided television wasn’t for you,