Spring Blossoms at Mill Grange

by Jenny Kane

  ‘I hoped you’d like it.’

  ‘You’ve stayed here before?’

  ‘Once, on the way to a conference. I hated being in those big beds and having no one to roll around with.’

  Thea blushed, glad their early start meant they were the only ones in the breakfast room.

  Since they’d got into Shaun’s car the previous evening and driven to the nearby hotel in Stow-on-the-Wold, Thea had vowed to leave all thinking about what Julian had said until they were back at Mill Grange. Now, as they ate, she squashed the flutter of guilt she felt at keeping a secret from Shaun. The evening before, the night, and now their shared breakfast, had all been so perfect, she didn’t want to ruin a second of it.

  ‘I’m looking forward to being back at Mill Grange, but it would be nice to stay here longer and hide from the world for a while.’ Thea brushed croissant crumbs from her cleavage.

  ‘I was thinking the same.’ Shaun checked to make sure they weren’t overheard by the few diners that had started to arrive. ‘In the meantime, I’ve secured a late check out, so I’d be obliged if you’d leave a few of those crumbs for me to find later.’

  Thea’s eyebrows rose. ‘Perhaps I should have ordered more pastries and no fry up.’

  Shaun winked as a rack of toast was delivered to the table. ‘Toast crumbs work for me too.’

  *

  The staircase hadn’t gleamed as brightly since Mill Grange had held an Open Day the previous July. Tina had buffed and polished it so much, it was a wonder you couldn’t see your reflection in the wood. The paintings hanging in the main corridor had been straightened and re-straightened, and the usual pile of muddy shoes by the front door was conspicuous by its absence.

  Helen, having expected to find Tina in the kitchen making coffee in readiness for her future in-laws arrival, had tracked her to the hallway by following the scent of beeswax.

  ‘If you polish that door any more, it’ll gleam.’

  Focusing all of her nervous energy on the duster she was working over the door’s oak panels, Tina sagged. ‘Do you think the house looks okay, Helen?’

  ‘I thought it looked okay when you asked me last night, and again at eight o’clock this morning.’ Taking the duster firmly but politely from Tina’s hand, Helen steered her towards the kitchen. ‘If you don’t sit down soon, you’ll have no energy left for when they get here.’

  ‘But what if they don’t like the house?’

  ‘Then taking off non-existent layers of dust won’t make any difference.’ Helen led her to where Mabel was waiting with a mug of coffee and a plate of biscuits.

  Allowing herself to be sat down, Tina picked up a cookie. ‘Thanks, Mabel. Anyone know where Sam is?’

  ‘In his tent getting changed.’

  Tina jumped back to her feet, and stared down as her outfit. ‘I was so busy making sure Mill Grange was perfect, I forgot about changing!’

  Mabel placed a gentle hand on Tina’s shoulder, and persuaded her to sit down again. ‘Drink your coffee, have some food and then go. They won’t be here for at least another hour.’

  ‘But what if they’re early?’

  ‘Sam had a call about half an hour ago; they are running late. Heavy traffic on the motorway.’

  ‘I wish he’d told me.’

  ‘He was helping Tom move some furniture around upstairs so that Dylan’s got a table in his bedroom.’

  ‘Oh yes. I remember him saying now.’ Tina picked up her coffee, looked at her friends. ‘I’m flapping, aren’t I?’

  ‘You are. Which is perfectly understandable.’ Mabel took a cloth and wiped away a few crumbs Tina had spilt. ‘But this isn’t a snap army inspection. They are visiting you and their son because they haven’t seen the house before. Don’t think of it as more than that.’

  ‘I’m trying not to.’

  ‘But it’s hard not to worry at the same time.’ Helen sat down and took a biscuit of her own. ‘Do we know what time Thea and Shaun are due back?’

  ‘Late afternoon.’ Tina sipped at her coffee, enjoying its comforting warmth. ‘It’ll be good to all be together again. Seems ages.’

  ‘If Lord and Lady Malvern stay for dinner, at least Shaun will be able to regale them with tales from Landscape Treasures.’

  Tina’s coffee cup met the table with a thud. ‘Stay for dinner?’ Oh my God. What if they do? They said they were coming for the day. So, lunch is sorted, but we assumed they’d go about four. You don’t think they’ll stay do you?’

  ‘Whoa.’ Helen took Tina’s arm. ‘If they were going to stay, they’d have said.’

  ‘I wish I hadn’t mentioned it now,’ Mabel looked pale, ‘but if they do – which they probably won’t – I’ll do my lasagne.’

  ‘But, Mabel, that’s kind and everything, but what about Bert?’

  ‘He can have some too.’

  ‘No, I meant, what about Bert being left on his own all day when he’s ill.’

  Mabel headed to the fridge to fetch milk and cheese. ‘He sent me out this morning with strict instructions to enjoy the day.’

  Tina couldn’t help but smile. She could just imagine Bert understanding how much Mabel would want to meet Sam’s parents. She also wondered if, now he was beginning to feel a little better, he was looking forward to a whole day of peace and quiet.

  ‘Well I’m glad you’re here. All reinforcements welcome today.’ Tina suddenly registered what Mabel was doing. ‘Are you making cheese sauce?’

  ‘Lasagne. Might as well bake a couple while we wait. They smell amazing while they cook, so that won’t hurt once your guests arrive, and then we can either freeze them, or you can eat them tonight.’

  Tina got up again and hugged Mabel. ‘I honestly don’t know what we’d do without you.’

  ‘Just think of it as me taking my mother of the bride duties seriously. Can’t have you in a flap just because your in-laws are coming.’

  *

  Sam and Tom sat on the wall which joined the house’s driveway to the road to Upwich, anticipating the arrival of Lord Malvern’s car.

  ‘How’s your room looking now Dylan’s desk is in place? I’m sorry I couldn’t stay and move things round once I’d moved it out of Helen’s room.’

  ‘Don’t worry. You’ve got a lot on today.’ Tom gestured down the empty road to emphasise the forthcoming arrival of Sam’s parents. ‘The room is fine, thank you.’

  Sam grinned. ‘Does that really mean, “it’s great, thanks, but hellish cramped for two”?’

  ‘I’d be lying if I said it was spacious, but it won’t be for long. I’ve signed on with some rental agencies, so it’s just a case of waiting to see what turns up and keeping my eyes open now.’

  ‘And you can have Helen’s room too, soon.’

  ‘Yes.’ Tom was about to ask again if Sam had thought more about her staying, when a navy-blue Bentley appeared from around the corner. It was being driven at about five miles an hour as the driver edged along the narrow lane. ‘Your folks, I think.’

  ‘Oh hell, they brought the tank! I warned them the road was narrow.’ Sam blew out an exhalation of breath.

  Tom gave his friend a pat on the shoulder before darting up to the house to alert Tina to the arrival, leaving Sam to guide Lord and Lady Malvern up the drive to his home.

  *

  Mabel gave Tina a reassuring hug. ‘You look lovely. Off you go.’

  ‘Why am I so nervous? I’ve met them before.’

  ‘Because it’s important to you that they’re happy here. Not just because of the wedding, but because you’re a nice person and you want them to feel at home.’

  ‘Thanks, Mabel.’ Having lost her trademark pigtails in honour of the occasion, Tina anxiously brushed her fingers through her hair.

  Tom echoed Mabel’s sentiments as he filled the kettle. ‘Just relax and have a good day. Imagine you’re simply showing guests around the manor. It’ll be good practice for open house on Easter Sunday.’

  Tina was far from convinced
as she hurried off in Sam’s direction. She’d just got to the door, when she spun back round. ‘Are you sure you don’t mind bringing tea and cake into the garden, Mabel? I hate making you look like a servant!’

  ‘Sshh with you, child. Now, off you go.’

  *

  ‘Tina! How lovely to see you.’ Sam’s mother, bedecked in a bright floral dress and knee length chocolate brown jacket, held out her hand, before changing her mind and giving her future daughter-in-law a hug. ‘I’m so excited to see your home.’

  Taken aback, having expected to have to justify every stone and floor tile, Tina found herself in her third hug of the hour, her nervous smile changing into a real one.

  ‘We’re just so glad you could both come, Lady Malvern.’

  ‘Now, I told you before, call me Bea.’

  Tina stepped back and turned to Lord Malvern. His expression was as sombre as ever; she wasn’t sure if she was supposed to shake his hand or not. Attempting a hug would, she knew, be serious overkill. Sam came to her rescue.

  ‘We thought you’d like a cuppa before we gave you the tour.’ He stretched an arm towards the side of the house.

  ‘That sounds lovely.’ Bea looked up at the granite building, whose stones shone as, with perfect timing, the sun came out from behind a cloud.

  ‘Outside?’ Lord Malvern gave his son an appraising stare.

  Not taking the bait, Sam merely nodded. ‘There is a stunning view over the garden, and it’s such a lovely day.’

  ‘Quite right.’ Bea gave her husband a stern look, before turning back to Tina. ‘Could I trouble you for the bathroom first?’

  ‘Yes of course.’ Tina was suddenly flustered. In the rehearsal of this meeting, which had occupied most of her restless night, she’d offered Lady Bea the chance to freshen up as soon as she’d arrived, but in glow of relief that one of their guests looked happy, she’d forgotten all about her intentions.

  Giving Tina’s arm a reassuring squeeze, Sam said, ‘Come on, Father, let’s go and admire the view while we’re waiting.’

  Looping her arm through Tina’s, Bea watched the men go. ‘How’s Sam doing? Has he been inside yet?’

  Surprised by the familiarity of the gesture, Tina led her companion in through the main door. ‘Yes. He’s getting quite good at downstairs. Upstairs hasn’t happened yet, but we’ll get there.’

  Lady Malvern stopped walking as they reached the porch, tears shone in her eyes. ‘You’re telling me my son is getting better?’

  ‘Yes.’ Tina felt awkward in the face of unexpected aristocratic emotion. ‘He’s working really hard. He still uses the tent to sleep at night if the downstairs bedroom is needed by a guest, but otherwise, the claustrophobia is definitely – slowly – being shown its place.’

  Fishing a neatly folded cotton handkerchief from her long woollen jacket pocket, Bea dabbed at her eyes. ‘Forgive me, Tina, but that’s such good news. I’d begun to think he’d never get better.’

  ‘He’s had a lot of help from Bert of course. You remember us telling you about him when we came to stay?’

  ‘The elderly gentleman who had been through something similar?’

  ‘That’s him.’ Tina led the way through the hall, and towards the staircase. ‘And his work here has helped. Sharing his time with so many veterans who’ve suffered in the defence of their country, it focuses the mind.’

  ‘I don’t doubt it.’ Bea paused at the foot of the stairs. The scent of beeswax hung in the air; the paintings, while a million miles from her own collection of old masters, were fascinatingly eclectic. The light from the window on the landing bathed the hallway in a golden glow.

  Hoping her guest approved of the view, Tina stepped onto the first stair. ‘I’ve laid out a bathroom for you. It’s just up here, to the left.’

  Smiling by way of thanks, Bea ran her palm up the smooth banister, her eyes taking in everything around her as Tina walked nervously by her side, feeling as though she was waiting for a verdict from a court cased.

  Lady Bea had almost reached the top of the stairs, when she stopped and inhaled. ‘What’s that wonderful smell?’

  ‘The wood polish?’

  ‘No, it smells like someone’s cooking.’

  ‘That’s Mabel. Well, the smell isn’t Mabel, it’s lasagne.’ Tina shook her head and started again, ‘What I mean is, Mabel is in the kitchen cooking lasagne.’

  ‘Mabel is Bert’s wife?’

  ‘Yes.’ Pleased Bea had remembered, Tina was taken back when her guest turned around.

  ‘To tell you the truth, Tina. I don’t need the bathroom. I was just dying to see inside the house. Shall we go to the kitchen? It’s the heart of a house, don’t you think?’

  Twenty-eight

  Saturday April 4th

  ‘Oh, it’s perfect,’ Lady Malvern muttered as she stood at the threshold to the kitchen, blocking Tina’s path so she couldn’t dart through and warn Mabel, who was deep in concentration, that she was being watched.

  Bea’s eyes shone with delight as she ran her gaze from the Aga to the dresser, and on to the little old lady sat at the wooden table, umpteen recipe books laid open before her. ‘You must be the inestimable Mrs Hastings. I’m delighted to meet you. Sam and Tina told us all about you when they came to Malvern. They owe you so much, and so, therefore, do my husband and I.’

  Mabel jumped to her feet in surprise and wavered. Tina could see she was unsure if she should curtsey, and was relieved when her friend settled for holding her hand out in greeting.

  ‘That’s most kind of you, my Lady.’ Mabel’s eyes darted in alarm to the dishes waiting to go in the dishwasher and the empty coffee mug by her side. ‘You must excuse the mess. I wasn’t expecting you to come in here.’

  Flapping the apology away, Bea sat down opposite Mabel. ‘I love a kitchen, Mrs Hastings. You can learn more about a home and its household from a kitchen than anywhere else, don’t you think?’

  ‘I most certainly do.’ Mabel was in full agreement. ‘I was about to make up a tray of coffee and cake. Do you still want it outside, Tina?’ Mabel glanced at the kitchen clock. ‘Or would you like lunch? Time seems to be galloping away this morning.’

  ‘I think coffee and tea to start with.’ Tina headed to the coffee maker. ‘But I’ll do it. You two look comfortable.’

  Lady Malvern was already leafing through the nearest cookery book. ‘Your lasagne smells incredible. Is it your own recipe?’

  ‘More a combination of other peoples, from which I’ve created my own.’ Mabel took a piece of paper from her ever present list pad. ‘Would you like me to write it down for you?’

  ‘I’d love it. Thank you. Charles is most partial to Italian food. I’ll pass it onto Karen. She’s our cook at the moment. Brilliant girl. Doing a Physics PhD.’

  Feeling she ought to contribute to the conversation, Tina said. ‘Lord and Lady Malvern employ post grad students, so they can earn while they learn.’

  ‘What an excellent idea.’ Mabel got up from her seat and fetched a cake tin from the cupboard. ‘That must be where Sam gets his goodness from. You should see him with the guests here. He coaxes them out of themselves without them even noticing.’

  Placing cups onto the tray, Tina smiled. ‘I’m so proud of him. Although, I must say, the whole team here are excellent.’

  ‘They are,’ Mabel concurred. ‘Tom and Helen, they run the archaeological dig and the training that goes with it. They’re so skilled, and the guests love them. Then there’s Thea and Shaun of course. They’re away filming on Landscape Treasures, would you believe! When she’s here, Thea helps Sam and Tina run the place.’

  ‘Sam told us all about you having a celebrity in your midst. I must say, I love Landscape Treasures!’

  ‘Shaun and Thea should be here this afternoon; you’d be welcome to stay and say hello.’ Tina, who’d previously wanted to get their visitors in and out of the house as soon as possible, found herself hoping Bea would stay.

  ‘That would be
lovely. I can’t wait to tell the ladies at bridge club that I met Shaun Cowlson. Several of them have a serious crush in that direction.’

  ‘Really?’ Tina wondered how Shaun would feel about having a team of aging groupies, when she suddenly realised he was probably used to it. ‘Both Thea and Shaun will help with the dig once Helen leaves next week.’

  ‘You’re losing a staff member. That’s a shame.’

  ‘It is.’ Tina – who hadn’t given up hope that Helen would decide to stay – was afraid Bea would think there was a sinister reason for her leaving, so quickly added, ‘She was only here on sabbatical. Helen runs the Roman Baths in Bath.’

  ‘Goodness. Now that’s a job and a half I’m sure.’ Bea got to her feet and headed to a chest of drawers. ‘Cutlery in here? Shall I dig out the forks for that delicious cake?’

  ‘Thank you, Lady Malvern.’ Tina saw Mabel’s eyebrows rise. Helping out in the kitchen obviously did not fit with her picture of how the aristocracy should behave.

  ‘My pleasure, and please, you must both call me Bea. Having a title does rather get in the way of relaxed friendships. Sometimes I do wish I was plain Mrs Philips.’

  ‘Then you must call me Mabel.’

  ‘Thank you, Mabel. I can’t tell you how tired I get of formality. It’s important to keep up standards of course, but with family… well, I’d love it if we could just relax.’ Bea straightened up, her shoulders losing their previous rigid uprightness. ‘So, tell me, Mabel, what would your go-to cake recipe be? I just love a Victoria sponge. Traditional maybe, but when done right – perfection!’

  ‘You are so right, Bea. My mother made the lightest sponge you can ever imagine.’ Mabel smiled wider than ever. ‘For me however, it has to be a Swiss roll. A home made one, rolled in a tea towel. My grandmother taught me how to make them.’

  ‘You know the old-fashioned cakes are often the best.’ Bea reached for the nearest recipe book and began to flick through the pages,

  Exchanging glances with Mabel, Tina’s eyes darted back to the kitchen clock, prompting the older woman to say, ‘You know, it really is nearly lunch time. How about we get some soup going?’