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

Fifty-six

Friday May 22nd

Having abandoned her no alcohol policy in light of what she’d just learned, Thea drank a glass of Pinot with rather more speed than was wise.

Treasure Hunters? She could see why Julian was keen to become their producer. They were in the process of moving from being a second-rate series to an up and coming show. He’d relish the challenge of trying to make more popular than Landscape Treasures. But why try and destroy her and Shaun’s happiness in the process?

 Lost in their own thoughts, not knowing what to say to each other, Shaun and Thea sat either end of a sofa, coming to terms with how they’d both been played.

‘The thing is,’ Thea said, suddenly awkward, ‘Julian didn’t do that much damage to us at all. We did it to ourselves.’

Shaun knew she was right. ‘He enjoyed watching us unravel. Or, hearing about it at least. During that bit on the recording where he said he’d almost broken us, his voice oozed triumph.’ Swirling whiskey around in his glass, having decided he needed something stronger than beer, Shaun added, ‘Would be good wouldn’t it, from a publicity point of view, to have two rival shows hosted by real life rivals. Real life exes.’

‘We wouldn’t be rivals. Even if we aren’t together, that wouldn’t happen.’

‘I know that, but Julian thinks as if he’s living in a soap opera.’ Shaun took another sip of the amber liquid circling his glass. ‘His mind works like a tabloid newspaper. I’d put money on him already having The Sun on standby, with headlines all typed up and ready to go. “Treasure Trowels Drawn at Dawn”, or something equally tacky.’

Thea shivered at the thought. ‘At least we’ve deprived him of that. I made it very clear I had no interest in working with him on any level. And as for anything else. Ug! No thank you!’

‘At least we know he’s leaving Landscape Treasures.’

‘Is he? That’s fantastic!’

 Relieved to see a genuine smile on Thea’s lips, Shaun nodded. ‘Assuming we’re re-commissioned for a new series, it’ll be under another new producer.’

‘They can’t be worse than Julian.’ Thea peered into her wine glass, the weight of what hadn’t yet been said hanging over her. ‘Do Ajay and Andy know about Julian and Treasure Hunters?’

‘Not yet. I wanted to talk to you first.’

‘Thanks.’ Thea drained her glass and looked at the time. It was almost midnight. ‘Been the bane of our lives hasn’t it, Treasure Hunters? What with Sophie messing with them to try and keep Landscape Treasures, or you, rather, in Cornwall last autumn, and now this.’

Shaun sighed. ‘They’re a good team, or they were. Goodness knows what it’ll be like once Julian has finished with them.’

‘Well, we know it’ll be a female presenter under thirty-five, probably blonde.’

Shaun snorted. ‘Maybe we should call all the female archaeologists we know and warn them!’

‘Not a bad plan.’ Thea looked back at the orange juice cartons. ‘I have to go. In a few minutes it’ll be our best friend’s wedding day. I ought to be at the house in case Tina’s having last minute jitters.’

Shaun’s expression was sad but accepting. ‘Do you think she’ll be in a panic?’

‘Honestly, no. Tina has been amazingly calm since her wedding party stopped running away from each other and generally acting like children.’

‘Point taken. I’m sorry I went away.’ Not giving Thea time to respond, Shaun got to his feet. ‘Would you like me to walk you home?’

‘Surely you’re going that way anyway?’

‘I’ve got a room here.’ Shaun waved a hand towards the door to the bar. ‘I wasn’t sure, you know, about us… It didn’t feel right to sleep at Mill Grange.’

‘Oh.’ Not sure if she was disappointed or relieved, Thea headed to the door. ‘I’ll be fine walking up on my own. This is Upwich not London.’

Shaun let her get as far as the door. ‘Actually, if you wouldn’t mind the company, I think I’ll come with you anyway.’

‘There’s no need. Really.’

‘There’s every need.’ Shaun gave her a rueful look. ‘Three reasons, remember? Number one, even if things have been odd lately, I still love you. Two, because you needed to know what Julian was planning and then there’s number three.’

‘And number three is?’ Thea’s heart beat faster as she hovered by the door, uncertain if she should hug him or hold back.

‘Three is obvious! I’ve been an idiot, and I intend to try, somehow, to make it up to you.’ He moved to the door, pushing it open for them both. ‘And I shall start by acting like an old-fashioned gent, and see you safely home.’

*

Mabel gave a satisfied nod as she watched from her cottage’s bedroom window. Shaun and Thea may not be walking arm in arm as they made their way from the pub to the manor, but nor were they arguing.

Reassured her suggestion that Shaun talk to Sybil about ways to get Thea on her own had worked, she changed for bed. The sound of Bert’s snoring, rather more breathless than it used to be, echoed around the room.

Brushing her hands down her full-length night shirt, Mabel ran an approving eye over Bert’s suit and her own wedding outfit. ‘Mother and father of the bride.’ A single tear suddenly trickled down her wrinkled face. ‘Sam, Tina, I’m not sure you’ll ever truly understand how much this means to us.’

*

Tom had been keeping a vigil at the attic window. ‘It’s alright, Thea’s back. Shaun’s just walking her up the drive.’

‘They’re together?’ Helen felt a rush of relief. ‘Thank goodness for that!’

‘Not sure together is the word, but they’re talking at least.’

‘No kiss on the doorstep then? He hasn’t come in with her?’ Helen’s newly discovered romantic streak was disappointed.

‘Hang on.’ Tom craned forward to try and see the door below him. ‘Nope. Shaun’s heading back