Spring Blossoms at Mill Grange

by Jenny Kane

  ‘You know what he wants.’ The reply was blunt. If Ajay and Andy hadn’t already worked out all was not well between their co-hosts, they knew now.

  ‘Can you tell me what he said to you first?’

  Shaun grunted into his pint. ‘And keep him waiting?’

  ‘Until Hell freezes over if necessary,’ Thea snapped back.

  ‘Woah!’ Andy held up his hands. ‘What’s with you two?’

  Ajay’s eyes narrowed. ‘I’d put money on Julian. He’s put his oar in here, hasn’t he?’

  ‘Please, Shaun.’ Thea looked straight at him. ‘Just tell us.’

  Shaun put his pint down. ‘Sorry. He just winds me up the wrong way. He’s so damn smarmy.’

  ‘Agreed.’ Ajay picked a sandwich up from the plate in the middle of the table. ‘So, what’s he done?’

  ‘Thea. Tell them what Julian asked of you.’ Shaun hurried on before she could object. ‘It’s relevant, I promise.’

  As Thea explained about the overheard phone call and Julian’s emails and invitation to guide her into the world of television properly, she spoke fast, apologising every second sentence for not telling them before.

  Andy brushed her apologies away. ‘Man like that, you don’t know what to trust. Why tell us something that could be a pack of lies?’

  Ajay agreed. ‘Or manipulation.’

  Thea looked at Shaun as she replied, ‘I’m glad you two can see that.’

  As a frosty silence descended, Ajay looked straight at Shaun. ‘Let me guess, you still think he fancies Thea? Well, I wouldn’t blame him if he did. Thea is a fine-looking woman, intelligent, funny and excellent on camera. Of course he’s attracted to her. That does not mean she’s attracted to him. So, with all due respect Shaun, wake up and smell the roses, and for God’s sake tell us what is going on before Julian comes out to collect Thea himself!’

  Taken aback, Shaun caught Thea’s eye. She didn’t look triumphant, she just looked tired.

  ‘Okay. Okay.’ He cradled his pint as he spoke. ‘What Thea overheard is, sadly, in line with what Julian mentioned at that meal he held for us. Treasure Hunters have succeeded in getting a better timeslot on a more mainstream channel. One of the reasons for this is their presenter has been dumped.’

  Ajay groaned. ‘Please tell they don’t have a brain-dead celebrity with no archaeological experience and no passion for the subject beyond increasing their profile.’

  ‘I have no idea who it is, but it has rattled our lords and masters’ cages.’

  ‘Including Julian’s?’ Thea wasn’t sure why she asked such an obvious question.

  ‘He was surprisingly smooth about the situation, but he’s made it crystal that a change of presenter here is bound to follow.’

  Andy turned to Thea. ‘He wants you to do it, doesn’t he.’

  Shaun looked directly at her too. ‘Well, has he asked you to do it?’

  ‘You know he hasn’t. But the implication was there. I told you that when we were at Mill Grange.’

  ‘Hang on.’ Andy waved his sandwich as he spoke. ‘What exactly did Julian say to you Shaun? Have you lost your job as our presenter? Is the show being re-commissioned next year?’

  ‘All I got was a lecture on the need to increase viewing figures, the changes in the viewing demographic, and how shows need young female presenters these days.’

  ‘In other words, he said nothing at all.’ Ajay rolled his eyes. ‘Just wanted to get you worried and second guessing about your future as our presenter – what with you not being female.’

  ‘Or young,’ Andy added.

  ‘Young women.’ Thea mentally counted to ten so she didn’t explode. ‘Well that rules me out then, so perhaps you could get that particular bee out of your bonnet Shaun. And, while we are at it, you know full well that I do not want a television career, and I particularly dislike anyone – male or female – getting a job based on their gender alone. All jobs should go to the candidate best suited for it. Equality is supposed to work both ways. God…’ She paused, realising she was talking rather louder than she’d intended to, and that the AA were looking at her in an odd way. ‘You know I hate that sort of thing.’

  After a second’s awkward silence, Shaun nodded.

  ‘And, as I’ve said more times than I care to mention, I’d never take your job away from you. Right,’ Thea stood up, her hands tingling within her jeans pockets, ‘I’d better find out what I can.’

  She’d only taken one step when the door to the function room opened, and Julian, his laptop bag in his hand, his designer jacket slung over his shoulder, waved at her. ‘There you are, Thea. Come on, we’ve lots to discuss.’

  ‘Come on where?’ Thea glanced at Shaun.

  ‘The Harborough Hotel. I told you in the email.’ Without looking at the Landscape Treasures team he kept on walking. ‘I’ll meet you by my car.’

  Thea knocked back the dregs of her coffee, getting ready to leave, when Ajay placed a hand on her arm.

  ‘Before you go, I’ve had an idea…’

  Fifty-one

  Monday April 13th

  Having told Julian she’d follow him in her own car, Thea found herself waiting in the hotel’s lobby while the producer spoke to the receptionist.

  The modern furnishings and tinny music that leaked through a speaker in the corner of the room felt at odds with the age of the building; jarringly out of keeping with the rest of the Cotswolds. Ignoring the stainless-steel tables and chairs, Thea watched Julian sweet talk the young woman behind the counter. With a wave to Thea to sit down and wait, Julian disappeared with the receptionist down a corridor.

  Now what? Thea perched apprehensively on the edge of an uncomfortable metal seat.

  She hadn’t wanted to come, but the AA, furious at whatever their producer was planning – before they even knew what it was – had convinced her to at least try and discover what was going on. It’s their futures too – not just Shaun’s.

  The receptionist returned to her desk, but there was no sign of Julian.

  Five minutes later, the receptionist came over to Thea. ‘Mr Blackwood apologises, he has to take a call. He won’t be long. Can I get you a drink while you wait?’

  ‘No, thank you.’ Shifting in the hard seat, Thea closed her eyes. Shaun had looked awful. He obviously hadn’t slept and his anger at being messed about by Julian was etched into every tired line on his face.

  He didn’t look at me.

  Glancing at her watch, Thea got up. She was waiting to see a man she didn’t like and didn’t trust. Someone who had driven a wedge between her and the man she loved. She’d had enough.

  Picking up her handbag, Thea went over to the receptionist. ‘Can you point me in Mr Blackwood’s direction please? I don’t have time to wait any longer.’

  ‘The Oakwood suite. The door’s labelled. Fourth room after you go through the glass door at the end of the corridor.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  ‘Would you like me to phone ahead?’

  ‘No, thank you.’

  With her mobile phone in her hand, Thea knocked on the door to the Oakwood Suite and waited. Hearing no reply, she pushed it open. Julian was still on the phone. He was looking out of the window, his back to the door, which was at least six metres from where she stood. He was completely oblivious to her presence.

  This wasn’t a conference room as his messages had claimed, but a palatial suite, made up of a lounge and bedroom and, presumably, a bathroom. A double bed sat next to where Julian stood. He wore a dressing gown, and quite possibly nothing else.

  OMG. Shaun was right!

  Thea was about to back out, when Julian raised his voice down the phone. His words froze her feet to the floor.

  ‘I told you I had it covered!’

  Had what covered? Thea took a step backwards, hoping the door wouldn’t creak as it closed.

  ‘I know she doesn’t fit the age range you specified, but she looks a damn sight younger than she is and, frankly, we need som
eone who knows what they’re talking about. This isn’t a sports show where people can fake enthusiasm when they need to. This is skilled stuff.’

  With her foot keeping the door ajar so she could escape when she needed to, cold crept over Thea as she listened.

  ‘Cowlson’s influence over her is fading fast. He was like the proverbial bear with a sore head when I saw him. Give me an hour and the deal will be done…’ Julian laughed at whatever was being suggested down the other end of the line ‘… a perk of the job…’

  Shaun’s influence? Whoever Julian was talking to, it was her they were talking about. If he thinks I’m perking anything… Bastard.

  Resisting the renewed urge to run, Thea held her ground. The more she heard Julian incriminate himself the better.

  As Julian began to close the conversation, Thea gripped the open door tighter, the airy corridor behind her reassuring. She lifted her phone higher, knowing that despite everything, if she called Shaun, he’d come.

  ‘Okay mate, I’ll email when things are signed and sealed, if you see what I mean.’

  Thea tensed. She had a horrible idea she saw exactly what he meant by signed and sealed as her eyes strayed from Julian’s robe clad back to the bed and back again.

  His mobile made a light thump as he threw it onto the duvet behind him. Julian stretched his arms above his head as he stared across the countryside beyond the window. His robe slipped up in the process, revealing over-toned calves to Thea’s unimpressed eyes.

  ‘Now all I’ve got to do is persuade her.’ Julian spoke to the view in general, spinning around at speed as Thea, her heart in her mouth, replied.

  ‘Persuade who exactly?’

  ‘Thea?’ A flash of panic crossed Julian’s face, only to be extinguished by a half smile. ‘How long have you been there?’

  ‘Long enough.’ She held out her phone. ‘You have ten seconds to tell me who you were talking about and what your intentions for her are before I call Shaun, and ask him to report you to the production company.’

  ‘I don’t think that would be a wise move for your future, Thea.’ Julian patted the bed as he sat down. ‘Why don’t we talk about it like civilised adults?’

  ‘How about you put your clothes back on and we talk about it in the bar, in public, like civilised adults?’

  ‘But I’ve gone to so much trouble for you.’

  The snorting laugh that escaped Thea’s lips came out before she could stop it. ‘You told me this was a meeting room. That we were to have a conversation about my future. Unless I’m very much mistaken, such meetings normally take place while fully dressed, with tea and coffee to hand, not in dressing gowns with champagne already on ice.’ Thea pointed to the ice bucket she’d just spotted on the opposite side of the room. ‘Rather pre-emptive of you. Or backwards thinking even – this isn’t the 1970s!’

  ‘I prefer forward thinking.’

  ‘I bet you do! Either way, that’s a waste of champagne.’ Thea marvelled at how steady her voice was. ‘Are you going to tell me what this is all in aid of, or do I call Shaun?’

  ‘You two broke up.’ Julian sounded satisfied by the fact.

  ‘I thought you and I were here to have a professional discussion. Shaun is a professional and so am I, and for your information I love him very much. Now, tell me, who were you talking to?’

  ‘The person who could make you a household name.’

  ‘Like Cadbury’s or Harpic?’

  ‘Don’t be flippant, Thea. I’m serious!’

  ‘Serious! You are acting like a 1960’s film producer trying to seduce a young actress. What’s wrong with you!? The world has changed! Or have you been too busy smarming your way up the greasy pole to notice?’

  Finally accepting that he’d gauged Thea all wrong, Julian got back up and gave her a curt nod. ‘I’ll see you in the bar in five minutes. It’ll be worth your while, I promise.’

  *

  The sun shone behind Shaun as he beamed into the camera, highlighting both him and the work of art at his feet. Only Thea and Hilda knew just how much makeup had been applied to stop him looking like he hadn’t slept for weeks.

  ‘This, one of the finest villa mosaics in England, possibly the world, is a stunning example of local craftsmanship.’ Shaun knelt down and extended an arm, sweeping across the Roman tesserae to underline his words. ‘The way each and every tile has been cut, to fit precisely into its given space, is a testament to the devotion of the mosaic makers of the age. The Gloucester school of mosaic makers, who must surely have been responsible for this work of art, should be justly proud.’

  Thea crouched besides Shaun, her trowel to hand and she looked into the camera. ‘We can only wonder what they’d think, to know that here we are, almost two thousand years later, marvelling at their skill, and opening up this bath house floor to be admired by future generations.’

  ‘Cut!’ Julian lowered his hand as Thea’s closing words were delivered faultlessly into the camera. ‘We’ll do a check through for sound quality, but I suspect we are finally done here. If you could wait in the pub, I’ll confirm completion as soon as I have it.’

  As Julian strode towards the camera and sound men, Shaun growled under his voice. ‘That’s it then. No, “thanks for coming back to finish off” no, “sorry to inconvenience you” just, oh, we’re done now, off you go and play!’

  ‘Shaun!’ Thea snapped in exasperation. This wasn’t the Shaun Cowlson she had first met, fuelled by exuberance and full of love and passion for his job and his life. He was lost. Thea battled the urge to shake him back into his usual optimistic self. She spoke softly, her hand brushing his arm. ‘What the hell has happened? Please, talk to me.’

  ‘Talk about what? Top tips on how to be the lead presenter on Landscape Treasures perhaps? You’ve been back from the hotel with him for three hours, and you’ve said nothing about what you got up to there. And knowing him I—’

  ‘Right. That is it!’ Thea threw down her trowel in exasperation. ‘That is officially it! Have you any idea what I have been through today? Have you? No, you haven’t a clue, because I came straight back from the hotel with that creep and got on with what we are here for. Not because I’m trying to show Julian how suitable I am for your job – which, for the millionth time, I DO NOT WANT, but because I’m a professional. We are professionals. Or we’re supposed to be.

  ‘There was no time to talk to you about my meeting. I was not putting it off. Nor was I hiding anything from you. And if you can tell me exactly when I was supposed to have filled you in on my meeting, then I’d be very interested to know when that moment was!’

  Fifty-two

  Monday April 13th

  Taking three big gulps of air, Thea’s hands shook as she checked her phone. Whatever app it was that Ajay had installed to record her conversation with Julian, had left a notification on her screen, so she presumed it had worked. She didn’t dare play back the conversation for fear of accidentally deleting it.

  Now, as she stood in The Carthorse beer garden, grateful that no one was around to see her as she gathered herself, Thea knew that what she was about to do was probably in breach of data protection and possibly illegal.

  Thea had felt uneasy when Ajay had suggested recording her meeting with Julian. She had a feeling Ajay was intending some sort of mild blackmail, but as an image of Julian in his bathrobe floated through her mind, it squashed down her guilt. He’d been underhand with her; she was simply returning the compliment.

  With a deep breath she headed to the bar. Ajay and Andy were in the corner of the room, bent over their laptops, making sure all the geophysics graphics for the broadcast were in order, so they too could go home.

  Here goes nothing.

  *

  Sam hung up the phone, turning to Tina as she broke eggs into her lemon cake mix.

  ‘All sorted. The marquees will go up on the afternoon before the wedding. I’ve offered mine and Tom’s services as labour, so that will cut costs a bit. One will be in
the walled garden for the ceremony, and then two others will go on the main lawn for the reception.’

  ‘That’s great.’ Tina squeezed some vanilla essence into the mix. ‘Sybil confirmed this morning that she’ll provide afternoon tea for forty, to be served under a marquee in the main garden. My dress is sorted, and we have two bridesmaids primed and dresses sorted – thank goodness!’

  Sam wrapped his arms around her as Tina stirred a spoon through the bowl. ‘I can’t believe I’m in a kitchen, inside, with the woman I love, soon to get married. I never dared dream that one day…’ Sam broke off, suddenly unable to finish his sentence.

  ‘It’s okay, I know.’ She kissed him gently. ‘I can’t believe my luck either. Not only do I get to marry the kindest man in the world, I get to see him in a suit.’ She winked playfully. ‘Even more of a miracle perhaps.’

  ‘Cheek!’ Sam pulled playfully at her pigtails. ‘And I can report that the suit is, finally, in the process of being sorted. Tom found someone who’ll come to us, rather than me to them. He’s going to sort Bert as well. I’ll be relying on you to sidetrack Mabel, so Bert and I can tackle the tailor without her well-meaning help.’

  ‘I’ll do my best, but I’m promising nothing!’ She gestured a floury hand towards the clock. ‘I was just wondering how Thea was getting on with Shaun. I know they’ve both promised to still be best man and chief bridesmaid, but it would be a hell of a lot nicer for everyone if they had sorted themselves out before the wedding.’

  ‘Got back together you mean.’ Sam rubbed at his stubbly chin. ‘I’m wondering if that will be one miracle too far.’

  ‘But they love each other.’ Tina dropped her spoon with a clatter against the side of the bowl. ‘If they’d just get off their high horses and talk to each other.’

  ‘You can’t manufacture happy endings for everyone you know.’ Sam kissed the top of her head.

  ‘I could try though, couldn’t I?’

  *

  She’d almost called Tina. A chat to her best friend for some advice would be more than welcome, but as she didn’t know how much time she had before Julian turned up, Thea headed to the AA.