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

‘It’s not spying if we’re worried about them.’

Tom laughed. ‘I’ll remember to tell the lads that on our next forces reunion. They’ll love that.’

Helen stuck her tongue out at him. ‘Alright. You know what I mean though.’

‘I do.’ Tom slid back into bed. ‘But if you’re expecting them to turn up tomorrow all lovey-dovey, then I fear you’re going to be disappointed.’

*

Sam had seen Thea and Shaun walk up the drive together. As he watched Shaun head off down the driveway again, he almost got up from where he was sat, on the picnic bench near the dig site, to see how his friend was, but something stopped him.

There had been no raised voices. No body language that suggested a row. But nor had there been any form of good night kiss or hug.

‘It’s enough for now though.’ Sam gazed across the garden and into the woods. ‘Hopefully, if they stay here a while, they’ll heal. This place is good at healing people.’

Getting up, he readied himself to walk through the kitchen door, towards his last night’s sleep as a single man.

*

Tina heard the click of heeled boots on the stairs and immediately got out of bed. She paused by the bedroom door and listened. One pair of feet was ascending the staircase, not two. She pushed opened her door and poked her head out. ‘Thea?’

‘Tina?’ Thea started in the quiet. ‘What are you doing up? You should be resting before tomorrow.’

‘Too excited to sleep. Anyway,’ Tina tilted her head as she regarded her friend, ‘I wanted to see how you were. How did it go with Shaun?’

‘Sybil told you about setting me up then?’

‘Apparently Shaun badly wanted to talk to you.’ Tina looked sheepish. ‘Did it work?’

Too tired to go through it all again, Thea simply said, ‘I know what Julian was up to. Shaun’s job is safe. I was never in the frame for it. Beyond that, Shaun and I are friends again.’

‘Just friends?’

‘He told me he loved me and that he’d been an idiot. Apparently, he wants to make it up to me.’ Thea gave a brave smile. ‘Now, stop worrying about me and Shaun. In a few hours you, Miss Tina Martin, will become Mrs Tina Philips, daughter-in-law to the earl of Malvern no less!’

Fifty-seven

Saturday May 23rd

Tom checked his mobile. The wedding was in two hours and Sue still hadn’t arrived. He looked at his outfit for the day, hung on the back of the bedroom door. He didn’t dare put it on until the last minute in case he was needed to do something outside or in the kitchen. Anyway, he’d imagined helping Dylan and Bert into their suits before putting on his own.

‘Where the hell are you?’ He checked the time again. He was due to be at the cottage to help Bert get ready in thirty minutes. ‘You promised! You promised not to be late today.’

Calling Sue’s mobile again, hoping the reason she didn’t answer was because she was driving, Tom ran outside. There was no sign of them.

What if they’ve had an accident?

He squashed the thought flat. This was Sue scoring points in whatever weird game was going on in her head this time.

Turning round, Tom headed to the marquee where he knew he’d find Sam and Shaun helping Sybil lay out plates and cutlery for the late lunch come afternoon tea style reception. He’d only gone two paces when the sound of a car pulling in behind him sent a mutter of relief shooting from his lips. Relief that was extinguished when he saw Sam’s parents’ Bentley rather than Sue’s Mini.

Bea rolled down the window as they came level with the usher. ‘Tom, how wonderful. A sunny day for it too. Where will we find Tina and Sam?’

‘Tina’s inside getting ready with Thea and Helen. They’re using the bedroom opposite the main guest suite. Sam’s in the back garden sorting cake forks.’

Charles laughed. ‘Nothing more unnecessary than a groom in the final hours before his wedding. Might as well put the chap to use!’

‘I’ll see you at the house.’ Tom gestured ahead. ‘Then, as usher of this parish, I’ll show you to your room.’

*

‘Shouldn’t you be flapping just a little bit?’

Helen marvelled as a serene Tina sat in the middle of the bedroom, a chaos of makeup, hairbrushes, lingerie and packets of biscuits all around her.

‘No need. Sam’s here, the dress is ready and all my friends are on hand to help share our day. What is there to worry about?’

Thea laughed as she lounged in the doorway. ‘You have to be the most relaxed bride in history. I was convinced you’d be anxious this morning.’

‘Nothing to be anxious about,’ Tina picked up the nearest hairbrush, ‘although if I don’t start getting ready Mabel will tell me off. The wedding day list on her clipboard states I should be having my hair done at ten and it’s almost five past. We’ll get told off if we are behind schedule!’

‘This is the bit where I wish you’d arranged a professional hairdresser.’ Thea took the hairbrush from Tina. ‘What if I mess it up?’

‘You won’t!’

As Tina brushed biscuit crumbs off her baggy shirt and moved to the chair in front of the dressing table and mirror, Helen peered out of the window. ‘Sam’s folks are here. Tom’s with them’

‘Excellent!’ Tina beamed. ‘Is that everyone present and correct then?’

‘I think so.’ Helen headed to the door. ‘Sue said she’d deliver Dylan at nine-thirty sharp. Tom planned to take him to Bert’s until we were ready for him, so I assume he’s there. I’ll go and fetch Bea. She’s bound to want to come up.’

*

The moment she saw Tom, Helen knew something was wrong. His smile was in place, he was saying all the right things to Sam and his parents as