by Jenny Kane
‘I love it!’
‘Tom, if it’s alright with you, I’d like to treat Dylan to the biggest slice of cake he’s ever had. I also think he needs a rest; the lad’s been working his socks off. Would you like to take him to Sybil’s Tea Rooms? My treat.’
‘Cor yes! Can we, Dad?’
Tom smiled. ‘Go and wash your hands then, and we’ll go. As long as you don’t need me for anything else here, Sam.’
‘It’s supposed to be your day off. Go and spend some of it with your son, without the likes of us getting in the way.’
*
Phil had disappeared with the sound man to check through the day’s filming, and Mabel and Bert had gone home for a rest before returning to help with dinner in a few hours’ time.
Sat around one of the picnic tables near the kitchen, Shaun, Thea, Tina, Sam and Helen sipped hot chocolate while staring at the four clipboards laid before them. One listed the tasks that needed completing before the filming wound up the following day; the others listed jobs they’d hoped to complete before the six guests came on Monday afternoon.
‘I can’t believe we open the day after tomorrow.’ Thea looked up at the house. It was as solid and patient as ever, stuck in an eternal wait for its occupants to get on with whatever they demanded of it.
Sam pointed to the clipboards. ‘We have to be realistic; a lot of this stuff was wishful thinking. We have most, but not all of the equipment we need for gardening; although it should be here by Wednesday. It’s the wrong time of year to be doing much outside beyond preparing the ground for spring and creating new vegetable and flower beds anyway. As to the greenhouse, we can ask willing helpers to finish clearing out the small amount of debris left around it but, like the mill, we don’t have the resources to repair it at this time.’
Tina glanced up at the sky. It was grey, with a blanket of cloud that looked caught in indecision as to whether to rain or not. ‘Even the chickens are laying less. Normal in the colder months apparently.’
Shaun tapped the list associated with the ongoing excavation plans, post Landscape Treasures. ‘At least this list has no time limit on it. The work you’re suggesting, Thea, opening out the trenches, cataloguing finds and so on, is all good. I can’t see why we need to stress over any of that. Let’s do what can be done while the weather is reasonable, and go from there.’
‘As to the house,’ Thea added, ‘the rooms are ready. We sorted them prior to the TV crew arriving. The downstairs and attic washrooms want a clean, and the meals need confirming with Mabel, but otherwise, we’re good to go.’
‘I’ve taken the week off from the Trust, so I can spend the day with Mabel after the telly folk have gone tomorrow.’ Tina pointed to where it said “food” on the list. ‘We’ve already done a bulk supermarket order, so the majority of the essentials are on their way. Should arrive by ten tomorrow.’
Sam rubbed his hands together with an air of satisfaction. ‘So it’s just down to the filming then, Shaun. Is it finished, or will there be last-minute things for the team to do tomorrow? Unexpected tiles likely to turn up do you think?’
‘God, I hope not!’ Shaun grinned. ‘Whether we’re finished will depend on the quality of the film taken today.’ He got to his feet, not wanting to contemplate the possibility of having to reshoot Sam’s indoor scene. ‘I’ll go and ask Phil now. If it’s good, then, unless he wants to do a final sweep of us digging in the morning, we’re done. I know my script work is complete, and Thea did her bit about the house and the Roman occupation, or lack of, in the area, while you stormed your debut, Sam. So fingers crossed.’
‘If it is done—’ Thea turned to Sam ‘—I think a celebration is in order, whether we’ve got work left to do or not. Don’t you think?’
Tina clapped her hands together, reminding herself of Lady Malvern when she was excited. ‘We should be celebrating anyway. Sam was amazing today.’
‘I wasn’t. Dylan was. That lad’s a flipping hero.’
Helen smiled as she thought of the little boy. ‘Didn’t Tom say Dylan would enjoy dinner around a bonfire like we did the other night? What do you think? Simple low-maintenance fun.’
Sam raised his hot chocolate mug. ‘I’ll drink to that!’
Fifty-Two
October 3rd
Dylan wandered around the bonfire, not letting go of Bert’s hand as he tentatively threw small branches onto the blaze.
‘Is this really for me?’
‘It is, young fella. And for Sam for being brave today.’
‘He was really nervous.’ Dylan confided, ‘I felt him shaking.’
‘And you helped him feel better.’
‘Did I?’
‘You did.’ Bert pointed towards two deckchairs Thea had put out so he and Mabel didn’t have to sit on the ground. ‘Shall we see if one of those chairs is strong enough for both of us?’
*
The jacket potatoes were consumed and hot drinks served, with lager chasers. Dylan yawned in Bert’s lap as Phil raised a toast of thanks.
‘I’m not sure how we did it in the time, but we did. The filming of the Landscape Treasures Christmas episode is complete. Thank you for making it so straightforward. As Shaun will tell you, that’s rarely the case.’
‘Especially in Cornwall.’ Shaun raised his mug of tea in salute.
‘The episode, should the schedulers be believed, will go out on Christmas Eve at six o’clock. Prime-time telly, ladies and gents. And the Cornish episode will be the week before; so that’s when you’ll be able to catch your TV debut, Thea.’
‘I’m not sure I’ll be able to watch!’
‘Well you should, because you’re a natural. In fact, if you would give me a ring next week, I’d like to talk to you about maybe doing some more work with us on the next series.’
‘Truly?’
Shaun put his arm around Thea’s shoulders. ‘Phil never says things he doesn’t mean.’
‘I certainly don’t!’ Phil put down his lager bottle. ‘While I have the floor, I’d like to thank the secret power behind Mill Grange before we all get too befuddled on Mabel’s excellent lasagne.’ Phil raised his bottle of lager. ‘To Bert; without whom I don’t think the indoor scene would have happened.’
Mabel snorted. ‘Secret power to drop off to sleep while peeling potatoes more like.’
Dylan giggled. ‘Did you really do that, Bert?’
‘Once, about eight years ago. Mabel likes to remind me every now and then.’ He winked as Dylan sucked his orange juice nosily through a straw.
Sam inclined his head towards Bert. ‘You are a man of many parts. I for one couldn’t manage without you. Thank you.’
‘Now, my boy, none of that soppy stuff.’ Bert patted Dylan’s shoulder. ‘How about we tell this young fella a story? Where better than beside a camp fire to hear a tale before bed?’
Dylan reached out a hand to this father, who sat next to Bert. ‘Can I have a story here, Dad, before we go to our room in the pub?’
‘Of course. What would you like it to be about? Castles and dragons like on your boots?’
‘No, Dad, I think it should be about the Romans who lived here.’ Dylan tilted his head to one side. ‘But, maybe they could meet a dragon?’
*
As Tom and Dylan disappeared into the distance, the only sound that could be heard was the crackle of flames and the rustle of the trees above as the evening breeze stepped up its pace.
It was Bert who broke the silence. ‘That was one hell of a good day.’ He reached a hand out to Mabel, and they levered each other off their chairs. ‘But us oldies are off to bed.’
Sam clambered to his feet. ‘Thank you both. I don’t know what we’d do without you.’
‘I’ll second that.’ Tina hugged Mabel and then Bert.
‘Our pleasure.’ Bert gripped Mabel’s hand. ‘Thanks for letting Tom bring his son here. A breath of fresh air to our ageing bones.’
The first drops of rain fizzed against the bonfire
as Bert and Mabel disappeared down the drive. Helen pulled up her hood as she watched the flames begin to gutter in the breeze. Suddenly tired to the bone, she was glad she’d be sleeping in the manor, unlike the Landscape Treasures team, who’d be huddling up in their tents for one last night, rain or no rain.
Leaning in next to Thea, Helen whispered, ‘You know what you said about me staying, did you mean it?’
‘I did.’
‘Maybe, if it’s okay, I could stay for a while. I called work. They’re agreeable to me taking a six-month sabbatical. That way I haven’t closed any doors if you don’t need me long term, but I’ll get a break from being the person in charge. What do you think?’
‘I think that’s fantastic.’ Thea peered up at the gathering storm clouds. ‘I can’t wait to tell the others.’
‘Actually, would you mind if we saved the news until the first week of guests is over? Then we’ll know if I can hack being nice to people twenty-four-seven!’
‘Deal!’ Thea laughed. ‘Everyone will be delighted. Especially Tom.’
*
The fire had been damped down and everyone was huddled in the kitchen, clutching fresh hot drinks.
Having asked for the kitchen table to be dragged as close to the back door as possible; Sam sat sideways on, so he could sit against the open door, but still be with his friends. He was the only one wearing a coat, but he didn’t care.
Today, after years of fear, he’d spent almost thirty minutes inside his home. He was in it now, even if only just. As rain fell outside, the wind blowing against his back, Sam felt a level of contentment he hadn’t experienced in years. The dig had been filmed, the house was almost ready to be a fully fledged rehabilitation retreat, and their first guests were arriving tomorrow.
He looked across to Tina on the opposite side of the table. She was laughing with Thea at something Shaun had said.
In that moment Sam knew what he had to do. He just hoped his courage would hold so he could go through with it; because this time Dylan could not come along to help.
*
‘Are you ready to make a dash for it?’ Tina peeked out of the kitchen door. ‘I think we’d better take a brolly as well as the hot water bottle.’
Everyone else had gone off to their bedrooms or tents, full of promises to meet up for breakfast before the Landscape Treasures crew headed off for some well-earned holiday, and the Mill Grange team rolled up their sleeves and got on with the pre-guest arrangements.
‘Actually—’ Sam wiped some perspiration from his palms ‘—I thought you might like to sleep inside tonight. It’s so damp and cold out there.’
‘No way. After all you’ve been through today, I’m staying with you.’ Tina kissed Sam softly. ‘You deserve a reward.’
Smiling suggestively, Sam took her hands and said, ‘I wasn’t thinking of forgoing my reward. If you’re okay with it, we could reward each other indoors. Together.’
Tina gasped. ‘Are you sure?’
‘Very.’ Sam trailed his hands through her hair, tugging out the pigtails that were half falling out anyway. ‘There’s one snag.’
‘You might leave for the tent in the middle of night? That’s okay I—’
‘No, not that.’ Sam’s legs started to tremble. ‘I’m not ready to face stairs or attics, so we’d need to use the downstairs room. But it’s ready for Woody tomorrow, so…
Tina laughed. ‘You’re concerned about changing some bedding at a time like this!’
Taking her hands, Sam, his eyes a combination of desire and anxiety, muttered, ‘You won’t let go of me, will you?’
‘Not for a second.’
As they reached the downstairs room, all crisp and clean for their guests, Sam let out a ragged sigh of relief. He’d made it. ‘There’s one thing I need to ask you before I can face having the door shut behind me.’
‘What’s that?’
Sam tried to block out the idea of the doorway, of the piece of wood that was going to have to close if he was going to get into bed with the woman he loved. He had been in the house before, and so he could do it again. Each time it would be easier. He knew that was true. It just didn’t feel true.
Be brave, Sam.
Dylan’s eager voice echoed in his ears as, inhaling and exhaling, Sam closed the door.
‘Sam?’ Tina couldn’t stop her smile from widening, but she felt concerned nonetheless. ‘Were you going to ask me to open the window?’
‘Yes. No… Later maybe.’
‘Okay.’ She stroked his face. ‘What did you want to ask me then, if it wasn’t to see if I’d sleep with the window open?’
With his pulse rate increasing, and not entirely because he was inside, Sam abruptly dropped to one knee.
‘Tina Martin, will you marry me? And open the window?’
Epilogue
October 5th
Mill Grange was ready for its first full-paying guests at three-thirty in the afternoon. At four o’clock, a taxi bearing the first visitor rolled up the drive. The four men and two women then all arrived within half an hour of each other.
After a flurry of welcomes and introductions from Sam and Tom in the driveway, suitcases had been taken inside, and bedrooms allocated. Acting as self-imposed guide, and chatting happily about his previous experience at Mill Grange, Woody was in his element. Directing the guests to the drawing room, now free of festive decoration, he expounded the virtues of Mabel’s cooking. A claim underlined by the delicious scent of beef casserole and dumplings wafting through the open kitchen door.
Helen and Tom passed around slices of lemon cake and offered tea and coffee, as the newcomers slowly relaxed into each other’s company.
Five minutes later, Shaun, Thea and Tina joined them, ready to deliver an introductory talk about what their guests could expect over the next five days.
Joining her fiancée, as he appeared on the outside of the open window, Tina leant close and whispered into Sam’s ear. ‘This is it! Are you ready?’
With an almost imperceptible nod, Sam cleared his throat as Tina smiled at their friends – Thea, Helen, Tom and Shaun – and tapped the side of her cup with a teaspoon.
Every eye in the room turned towards the window as, with his mug of tea raised high, Sam announced, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, I hereby declare that the Mill Grange retreat is now officially open!’
Acknowledgements
Writing has been a joy, and I’d like to thank a few of the The writing of Autumn Leaves at Mill Grange came hot on the heels of writing Midsummer Dreams at Mill Grange. It was wonderful to be able to continue the tale of Thea, Shaun, Tina, Sam and their companions. I’d like to thank a few people who accompanied me along the way.
First, the team at Aria (Head of Zeus), especially Rhea, Vicky and Holly; for all their help and support.
Also, to my agent Kiran; for her gentle guidance and sound good sense.
To the Nicholson family, in particular Tammy, who welcome me (along with many of our Imagine students), to Northmoor House in Exmoor each October, for an annual writing retreat. Northmoor
House on Exmoor is a place of unending inspiration, which forms the backdrop for Mill Grange.
Last, but not least, to my family and friends, whose love had encouragement have kept me writing this series, and many others.
About the Author
From the comfort of her cafe corner in Mid Devon, award winning author JENNY KANE wrote the contemporary women’s fiction and romance novels, Autumn Leaves at Mill Grange (Aria, 2020) Midsummer Dreams at Mill Grange (Aria, 2020), A Cornish Escape (2nd edition, HeadlineAccent, 2020), A Cornish Wedding (2nd edition, HeadlineAccent, 2020), Romancing Robin Hood (2nd edition, Littwitz Press, 2018), Another Glass of Champagne (Accent Press, 2016), Jenny Kane’s Christmas Collection (Accent, 2016), and Another Cup of Coffee (Accent Press, 2013).
Under the pen name, Jennifer Ash, Jenny has also written The Folville Chronicles (The Outlaw’s Ransom, The Winter Outlaw, Edward’s Outlaw - published by Litt
witz Press), The Power of Three (Spiteful Puppet, 2020) and The Meeting Place (Spiteful Puppet, 2019). She also created four audio scripts for ITV’s popular 1980’s television show, Robin of Sherwood. The Waterford Boy, Mathilda’s Legacy, The Baron’s Daughter and The Meeting Place were released by Spiteful Puppet.
Jenny Kane is the writer in residence for Tiverton Costa in Devon. She also co-runs the creative writing business, Imagine.
All of Jenny Kane’s and Jennifer Ash’s news can be found at www.jennykane.co.uk
@JenAshHistory
@JennyKaneAuthor
@Imagine_Writing
Jennifer Ash https://www.facebook.com/jenniferashhistorical/
Jenny Kane https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100011235488766
Imagine www.imaginecreativewriting.co.uk
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