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

‘Or young,’ Andy added.

‘Young women.’ Thea mentally counted to ten so she didn’t explode. ‘Well that rules me out then, so perhaps you could get that particular bee out of your bonnet Shaun. And, while we are at it, you know full well that I do not want a television career, and I particularly dislike anyone – male or female – getting a job based on their gender alone. All jobs should go to the candidate best suited for it. Equality is supposed to work both ways. God…’ She paused, realising she was talking rather louder than she’d intended to, and that the AA were looking at her in an odd way. ‘You know I hate that sort of thing.’

After a second’s awkward silence, Shaun nodded.

‘And, as I’ve said more times than I care to mention, I’d never take your job away from you. Right,’ Thea stood up, her hands tingling within her jeans pockets, ‘I’d better find out what I can.’

She’d only taken one step when the door to the function room opened, and Julian, his laptop bag in his hand, his designer jacket slung over his shoulder, waved at her. ‘There you are, Thea. Come on, we’ve lots to discuss.’

‘Come on where?’ Thea glanced at Shaun.

‘The Harborough Hotel. I told you in the email.’ Without looking at the Landscape Treasures team he kept on walking. ‘I’ll meet you by my car.’

Thea knocked back the dregs of her coffee, getting ready to leave, when Ajay placed a hand on her arm.

‘Before you go, I’ve had an idea…’

Fifty-one

Monday April 13th

Having told Julian she’d follow him in her own car, Thea found herself waiting in the hotel’s lobby while the producer spoke to the receptionist.

The modern furnishings and tinny music that leaked through a speaker in the corner of the room felt at odds with the age of the building; jarringly out of keeping with the rest of the Cotswolds. Ignoring the stainless-steel tables and chairs, Thea watched Julian sweet talk the young woman behind the counter. With a wave to Thea to sit down and wait, Julian disappeared with the receptionist down a corridor.

Now what? Thea perched apprehensively on the edge of an uncomfortable metal seat.

She hadn’t wanted to come, but the AA, furious at whatever their producer was planning – before they even knew what it was – had convinced her to at least try and discover what was going on. It’s their futures too – not just Shaun’s.

The receptionist returned to her desk, but there was no sign of Julian.

Five minutes later, the receptionist came over to Thea. ‘Mr Blackwood apologises, he has to take a call. He won’t be long. Can I get you a drink while you wait?’

‘No, thank you.’ Shifting in the hard seat, Thea closed her eyes. Shaun had looked awful. He obviously hadn’t slept and his anger at being messed about by Julian was etched into every tired line on his face.

He didn’t look at me.

Glancing at her watch, Thea got up. She was waiting to see a man she didn’t like and didn’t trust. Someone who had driven a wedge between her and the man she loved. She’d had enough.

Picking up her handbag, Thea went over to the receptionist. ‘Can you point me in Mr Blackwood’s direction please? I don’t have time to wait any longer.’

‘The Oakwood suite. The door’s labelled. Fourth room after you go through the glass door at the end of the corridor.’

‘Thank you.’

‘Would you like me to phone ahead?’

‘No, thank you.’

With her mobile phone in her hand, Thea knocked on the door to the Oakwood Suite and waited. Hearing no reply, she pushed it open. Julian was still on the phone. He was looking out of the window, his back to the door, which was at least six metres from where she stood. He was completely oblivious to her presence.

This wasn’t a conference room as his messages had claimed, but a palatial suite, made up of a lounge and bedroom and, presumably, a bathroom. A double bed sat next to where Julian stood. He wore a dressing gown, and quite possibly nothing else.

OMG. Shaun was right!

Thea was about to back out, when Julian raised his voice down the phone. His words froze her feet to the floor.

‘I told you I had it covered!’

Had what covered? Thea took a step backwards, hoping the door wouldn’t creak as it closed.

‘I know she doesn’t fit the age range you specified, but she looks a damn sight younger than she is and, frankly, we need someone who knows what they’re talking about. This isn’t a sports show where people can fake enthusiasm when they need to. This is skilled stuff.’

With her foot keeping the door ajar so she could escape when she needed to, cold crept over Thea as she listened.

‘Cowlson’s influence over her is fading fast. He was like the proverbial bear with a sore head when I saw him. Give me an hour and the deal will be done…’ Julian laughed at whatever was being suggested down the other end of the line ‘… a perk of the job…’

Shaun’s influence? Whoever Julian was talking to, it was her they were talking about. If he thinks I’m perking anything… Bastard.

Resisting the renewed urge to run, Thea held her ground. The more she heard Julian incriminate himself the better.

As Julian began to close the conversation, Thea gripped the open door tighter, the airy corridor behind her reassuring. She lifted her phone higher, knowing that despite everything, if she called Shaun, he’d come.

‘Okay mate, I’ll email when things are signed and sealed, if you see what I mean.’

Thea tensed. She had a horrible idea she saw exactly what he meant by signed and sealed as her eyes strayed from Julian’s robe clad back to the bed and back again.

His mobile made a light thump as he threw it onto