Autumn Leaves at Mill Grange

by Jenny Kane

  *

  ‘I can’t believe it’s our last night,’ said Woody as he lay down his knife and fork. ‘It’s so beautiful here.’

  Sam looked up at the star-studded velvet black sky. The scene was so precise; as if a primary school child had drawn it. ‘I can’t believe my luck in finding this place, and Tina being here too well… There was a time when I thought nothing good would ever happen again.’

  ‘That I understand.’ Woody stared across to the woodland beyond the garden. The tops of the trees blended into the skyline, making it appear enchanted. ‘I’m not keen on returning to reality.’

  Ann and Dave murmured in agreement, their mouths full of Helen’s roast potatoes.

  ‘It’s been great having you here.’ Sam switched his attention back to his friends. ‘As we’re all here, do you mind me asking if you have any suggestions on how I could improve things? Any activities that you think would work, or wouldn’t work? Anything that you think might help make Mill Grange the best it can be?’

  *

  ‘Here.’ Thea placed a dinner plate wrapped in tin foil on the table next to the window. ‘The plate’s hot. Helen kept it warm for you.’

  Embarrassed to have fallen asleep, Tina sat up and rubbed her eyes. ‘I was only going to have ten minutes. What time is it?’

  ‘Half past eight.’

  ‘Oh hell. And it’s our guests’ last evening here! What will they think?’

  ‘That you’re tired.’ Thea smiled. ‘Helen said you’d had a rough day.’

  ‘Did she?’

  Thea sat on the edge of the bed next to her friend. ‘Are you alright, Tina? We’ve hardly seen you these past couple of days, and you’ve been quiet when you have been around.’

  ‘I’m fine. Just busy.’

  ‘Are you sure that’s all?’

  ‘Of course.’ Throwing back the bed covers, Tina dragged on a thick jumper to counteract the sudden chill. ‘There’s so much to do before October. Especially if Shaun and Landscape Treasures do come.’

  Thea sighed. ‘I wish we knew for certain.’

  ‘Has Sam said anything about Treasure Hunters?’

  ‘All I know is that they’ve made another offer. We’ve had three now. If Shaun can’t give a precise date, then Sam may have to accept it.’

  Tina nodded. ‘I was afraid of that. I don’t blame Sam, but it would feel wrong if it wasn’t Landscape Treasures filming it.’

  ‘I think it’s the idea of providing a certificated qualification that’s tempting Sam to take the Treasure Hunters money.’

  ‘What certificated qualification?’

  ‘Sorry?’

  Tina pulled on her trainers. ‘What certificate?’

  ‘You don’t know about the idea to have an archaeological skills qualification available here?’ Thea didn’t know what else to say as Tina’s normally placid face flushed in anger.

  ‘Clearly not.’ She looked at the covered plate of dinner, ‘But you did, and I suspect Helen did. Maybe our guests did, but me? Not a clue. Why would Sam even think about consulting me?’ Fuming, she rounded on her friend. ‘I thought we’d sorted this. I thought we had reached an understanding about running this place together. Sam actually had the cheek to tell me this was a partnership. That we were in this together. And do you know what makes me really angry?’ Tina swallowed. ‘I believed him! How bloody gullible I’ve become.’

  Following her friend as she flew to the door, Thea called, ‘Perhaps he wanted it to be a surprise or something?’

  Tina stopped and turned to face Thea. ‘Did he tell you not to tell me?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Then it wasn’t going to be a surprise was it.’

  ‘I don’t know what to say? I honestly thought Sam had talked it over with you, and I’ve been so busy with—’

  ‘With Helen. Yes, I know. You haven’t seen her for ages, and you’ve needed to catch up. Perfectly normal.’

  The sad tone to Tina’s voice hit Thea as she watched her friend run down the corridor. It hadn’t been bitter, but resigned, as if being out of the loop was something she was coming to accept.

  *

  Tina wasn’t sure where she was going. Her intention had been to confront Sam there and then. To demand to know what decisions he’d made about the manor without her. On reaching the kitchen, however, she’d been met by a wall of laughter from beyond the open back door. If she stormed outside now, she’d humiliate Sam, and although she was furious with him, he didn’t deserve that. Nor did Tina want them to laugh at her. And they might. The idea made her toes curl.

  Changing direction, ignoring the growl of her empty stomach, Tina headed to the front door, and quietly took her coat off the peg.

  Twenty-One

  September 10th

  Thea rushed back to the kitchen. Keeping out of sight, she checked on Sam and his friends. Her relief at finding all as convivial as before was followed by anger at herself for thinking Tina would have a public row with Sam. She knew her friend hated confrontation as much as she did.

  Assuming Tina was hiding in the house, Thea moved from room to room. By the time she’d reached the laundry, the final door around which to peep, she had to accept that her friend had left the manor.

  Thea checked her watch. It was almost nine o’clock. Not only was it late, but she’d been gone from their guests a long time for someone who’d just said they were nipping to the bathroom.

  Wishing she had Shaun there, Thea sat on the bottom step of the staircase and tried to think what to do. If she told Sam his girlfriend was missing, then the successful week they’d spent with their practice guests would end with them all hunting for Tina. She didn’t want Ann, Woody and Dave to have a memorable week at Mill Grange for entirely the wrong reasons. On the other hand, if she went on a longer search for Tina, and didn’t return to the group herself, then eyebrows would be raised at her absence, especially by Helen.

  ‘Why are you faffing? You need to find your friend.’ Annoyed with herself for being just as culpable in the neglect of Tina as Sam had been, Thea crossed her fingers against the lie she was about to tell. She returned to their visitors.

  ‘Tina’s fast asleep, so I’ve left her where she is.’

  ‘Good idea.’ Sam reached for his drink. ‘She’s probably exhausted. She’s had a very busy few days with the Trust’s most challenging clients.’

  Seeing at once that he hadn’t a clue how Tina was feeling, although heartened that he’d at least taken note of what his girlfriend had been doing for the past few days, Thea said, ‘If you wouldn’t mind me spiriting Helen away, Sam, I’ll show her to her room.’

  ‘No problem.’

  ‘I ought to do the washing up first.’ Helen gestured to all the dirty dishes. ‘I made the mess after all.’

  Ann was already shaking her head. ‘It’s my turn to face washing-up duty, fear not.’

  Waiting until they were out of earshot, Thea turned to Helen. ‘I’m sorry to do this to you when you were having such a good time, but I need your help. Tina’s missing.’

  ‘Not asleep?’

  ‘I can’t find her anywhere in the house and she isn’t in Sam’s tent.’ Thea kept walking until they reached the back door and returned to the outside world. ‘Her car is here, so I can only assume she’s gone to the Stag and Hound.’

  Helen was hot on Thea’s heels. ‘Tina didn’t seem pleased to see me earlier. Are you sure I should be there when you find her?’

  ‘Definitely.’ Thea kept going. ‘I’ve a feeling it’s partly my fault she’s gone off. I was so excited to see you, and I’ve been so wrapped up in the site and Shaun that I didn’t stop to think about Tina.’

  ‘Should you have?’ Helen frowned. ‘I know she’s a friend, but this is a business you’re trying to build here. It isn’t about your friendship. And she has her own job.’

  ‘She does, and she is very good at it. That isn’t the problem.’

  ‘Then what is?’

  ‘Although,
technically, Mill Grange belongs to Sam, it’s a joint venture for their future together.’

  ‘Ahh. I didn’t know that. I got the impression it was Sam’s show, with you as an employee and Tina… well, just being here as Sam’s girlfriend, I guess.’ Helen winced. ‘And Tina came home from work today and found me in the kitchen without having been consulted. Ouch.’

  ‘That, in itself, would not usually be a problem. Tina’s lovely, and would welcome you with open arms as a rule.’

  ‘She was really friendly when I first turned up.’ Helen wasn’t convinced she wasn’t to blame. ‘But I’m sure I’ve offended her by still being here.’

  ‘Not at all. Sam has put his foot in it big time, and now Tina is feeling sidelined. Pretty much the worst thing you can do to Tina.’

  ‘What’s he done?’

  ‘It’s what he hasn’t done.’ Thea slowed her pace as they reached the village and the pub came into sight. ‘And I made it worse because I didn’t know she didn’t know.’

  ‘You realise you’re making no sense whatsoever?’

  ‘I’ll explain over a drink when we’ve found Tina. A large one.’

  *

  ‘Here you go, lass.’

  Bert passed a box of tissues to Tina as Mabel placed a steaming mug of hot chocolate next to her.

  Taking a big blow of her nose, Tina tried not to feel a total fool – and failed. ‘Thank you.’ She gave a brave smile. ‘I don’t know why I came here.’ She stopped talking. The words ‘I didn’t have anywhere else to go’ formed on her lips, but got stuck. If she spoke them aloud the tears would start again.

  Cradling the hot mug, she stared into its creamy contents. This wasn’t the “just add boiling water” stuff she was used to. Mabel had made this from scratch. She’d taken the time to do it properly. The idea of that much effort being taken for her, when she’d turned up on their doorstep as they’d been preparing to go to bed, embarrassed her.

  As if reading her mind, Mabel said, ‘It was no trouble. It’s soothing to prepare as well as to drink. Bert and I can’t take it this late anymore, but we enjoy the occasional cup as a treat when we can’t shift the damp from our bones.’

  ‘I’m sorry I disturbed you so late. I didn’t think about the time. I just…’

  Bert dismissed her apology with a wave of his hand. ‘Not a bit of it. You needed to talk, and where else would you go but to friends. Now, what’s that young Sam done?’

  Tina felt a giggle form in her throat. It was almost hysterical after the tears. ‘What makes you think Sam did something?’

  Mabel snorted. ‘More like what he didn’t do if I’m any judge.’

  Bert grinned. ‘And she is, Tina love. A good judge. My Mabel has always been good at knowing people.’

  ‘Thank you, dear.’

  ‘Doesn’t stop you putting your foot in it though, lass, so don’t you go preening.’

  Afraid she was about to cause a row between her hosts, Tina got to her feet. ‘Please, I didn’t want to cause trouble. I should go.’

  Bert, unable to get up as quickly as Tina, who was already by the door, called out, ‘Tina, sit down, lass. We’re just bickering. It’s what we do. It’s okay.’

  Mabel guided her friend back to the sofa. ‘You don’t find it easy do you – arguments and confrontation?’

  ‘I hate it. My parents used to argue sometimes, and so did the other kids at school. Somehow the rows always felt like my fault, even though, logically, I knew they weren’t.’

  ‘You and that Thea, you’re like two peas in a pod on that front; both hating confrontation.’ Mabel picked up the mug of hot chocolate again and pushed it into Tina’s hands.

  ‘She misses Shaun. She hasn’t talked about it much, but I know she does.’

  ‘Aye, lass, she does.’ Bert nodded. ‘I reckon that’s why she was so pleased to see that Helen. Another archaeologist; means Thea can have the same work chats, even if she can’t have the rest.’

  Tina went back to staring into the hot chocolate, watching the steam lessen as it cooled. ‘I hadn’t thought of that.’

  ‘You are allowed you know.’ Bert gave a reassuring smile.

  ‘Allowed?’ Tina took a sip of her drink so she didn’t have to say anything else.

  ‘To be put out. To feel left out. To argue even. It’s all allowed. Nothing bad will happen if you admit to being unhappy or cross.’

  Tina stole a glance at Bert; she didn’t know what to say.

  *

  Thea thumped onto the bench next to the Stag and Hound, opposite Sybil’s Tea Rooms. She slipped her hands into her pockets to hide their anxious shake as Helen sat beside her.

  ‘You can’t think of anywhere else she would have gone?’

  ‘I was so sure she’d be at the pub.’ Thea slapped the bench’s arm in frustration.

  ‘What about Sybil?’ Helen pointed at the café. ‘Are they close?’

  ‘They’re friends, but I don’t think Tina would go to her in a crisis.

  ‘Isn’t there anyone she would go to?’

  ‘Of course!’ Thea leapt up. ‘I know exactly where she’s gone.’

  *

  ‘Lord and Lady Malvern!’ Mabel was on her feet. Tina had the strangest sense that the old woman was going to bow.

  ‘Well, I think it is Earl and Lady Malvern. I’m not quite sure on the etiquette title-wise.’

  ‘Sam is an earl’s son?’ Mabel looked like she might faint as she sat back down again. ‘But he has a ponytail?’

  Tina burst out laughing. ‘I’m sorry, Mabel, I’m not laughing at you, it’s just I agree. Sam is an unlikely candidate for the nobility – ponytail or not.’

  ‘Yes, well.’ Mabel composed herself. ‘If his father is an earl, then his mother is a countess.’

  Bert observed their visitor carefully. ‘Sam’ll want to take you to visit their home.’

  ‘Yes.’ Tina put down her mug down. ‘He hasn’t said much about it.’

  ‘I suspect he’s afraid to. Sam told me he wants to live up to their expectations, while not letting you down at the same time.’

  Sensing her disquiet, Bert raised a hand, and said, ‘Before you get offended that he spoke to me about who his parents are, and how badly he wants you all to get on, you should know that young Sam felt rather awkward about sharing his fears with me. I wouldn’t have said anything but, in the circumstances, I thought I should. I’d hate to upset you.’

  ‘You could never do that.’ Tina reached her hand out and patted his pyjama-covered arm.

  Mabel spoke before Bert had the chance to answer. ‘You knew Sam was gentry and didn’t tell me!’

  ‘Sam told me in confidence.’

  Mabel huffed as she turned back to Tina. ‘And you didn’t know Sam had confided in Bert?’

  ‘I don’t seem to know about much that’s going on these days, but I did know about the dinner invitation. That was sort of my fault.’

  ‘Your fault?’ Mabel pursed her lips as she gathered up the hot chocolate mugs. ‘Oh, I doubt that very much.’

  Twenty-Two

  September 10th

  ‘Thea!’ Bert blinked into the night air as he opened the door of his home. ‘And Helen. You’ve just missed Tina.’

  ‘She was here then? Thank goodness.’ Thea exhaled in a rush of relief. ‘We’ve looked everywhere and she isn’t answering her phone. Is she alright?’

  ‘Put out. She headed back to Mill Grange about ten minutes ago.’ Bert stood back to invite the women inside.

  ‘You’re very kind, Bert, but it’s late, and I think you and Mabel have been disturbed enough for one evening. We’ll see you tomorrow.’

  Helen yawned as they walked back through Upwich. ‘Will you go and talk to Tina tonight?’

  ‘If she’ll talk to me.’

  ‘Of course she will. You haven’t done anything wrong other than getting wrapped up in work.’

  ‘That is beginning to feel like a feeble excuse.’ Thea swallowed. ‘Let’s just hop
e she’s gone straight back to the manor.’

  Lost in her own thoughts, Helen didn’t break the silence until they reached the top of the drive. ‘Where do you want to try first? Inside the house? Or do you think Tina’ll be in the tent with Sam?’

  ‘Hopefully the house – or Sam will wonder why I told him she was fast asleep inside when he finds her in the tent.’ Thea stifled a sigh as they rounded the bend that took them to the side of Mill Grange. The back entrance was off to their left, and the main door in front of them. ‘Let’s zip up and see if she’s in her room. I can show you your room at the same time. That’s what I told Sam I was doing after all.’

  Kicking off their shoes, the women climbed the main staircase. With every step, Thea hoped they’d find Tina safe in her room. She wasn’t sure what to say when they got there, but seeing that her friend was physically unharmed would be a good start.

  Pointing to the door next to her own bedroom, Thea said, ‘You’re in there, Helen.’

  ‘And Tina?’

  ‘On the other side.’ Thea hesitated. ‘If you want to check your space out, I’ll go and see if she’s okay.’

  Helen was delighting over the beautifully appointed little bedroom, with its original fireplace and the fabulous view, when Thea reappeared. One glance at her face told Helen that their search was not over. ‘Tina’s not there.’

  ‘No.’ Thea suddenly ran back towards the stairs, not stopping until she reached the main garden. Her palms prickled with nerves. She was going to have to go to Sam’s tent. If that meant admitting to Sam that she’d lied about Tina being asleep, then she’d just have to face the consequences. All that mattered was making sure her friend was okay.

  Helen was on her heels as they stood outside the main door, when Woody came around the corner from the garden.

  ‘Late-night stroll?’

  ‘Thea’s been showing me Upwich.’ Helen waved a hand towards the driveway. ‘We took a walk after checking out my room.’

  ‘I don’t blame you. It’s such a lovely evening.’ He gazed at the sky. ‘I can’t remember the last time I could see so many stars so clearly in UK skies. If you were after Sam, you’ve just missed him. He’s gone back to his tent.’