by Jenny Kane
Thea felt her fingers tingle. ‘What was the message?’
‘To be at the Stag and Hound at eight o’clock. Same place as last time, whatever that means.’
‘From Shaun?’
‘The message came from the landlady. Moira, I think she said her name was.’
Tina beamed. ‘Same place as last time must mean Moira’s backroom. It has to be Shaun. He has to be back.’
‘Well, if he thinks he can just waltz back without a word…’
‘Oh, for heaven’s sake. Don’t waste time, woman. It’s almost eight now.’
Sam got to his feet. ‘Would you like us to walk you over to the pub?’
Tempted to say yes, Thea declined the offer. ‘Thanks, but it’s not far. You two eat your dinner.’
‘Are you sure you don’t want yours first? It could be a while before you eat. It’s a Saturday night after all.’
‘I’m fine, but thanks.’ Thea brushed her palms down her jeans, briefly contemplating changing. Then she remembered how long Shaun had been AWOL and changed her mind.
He was bloody lucky she was going to meet him at all. Especially as he couldn’t even be bothered to leave a message himself, but had got Moira to do it for him.
Twenty-Eight
May 18th
‘I was beginning to wonder if Shaun would be back for Open Day.’
Sam passed Tina a hot potato, dripping with a heart attack inducing portion of local butter.
‘His timing tonight couldn’t have been better.’ Tina licked stray butter from her fingers. ‘Thea has missed him far more than she’s let on.’
Giving Tina a fork with which to dig out the hot fluffy potato, Sam balanced his own supper in his hands. ‘I have no doubt the feeling is entirely mutual.’
‘Did Shaun confide in you then?’
Sam laughed. ‘You sounded like a teenage schoolgirl then. All eager for gossip.’
Tina felt hot spots of pink on her cheeks before she realised she was being teased. ‘I just want them to be happy.’
‘Isn’t that what we all want?’
Tina shuffled her legs into a more comfortable position on the travel rug upon which she sat. ‘True.’ Realising she’d been given an opening to find out a little more about Sam’s life, she added, ‘How about you? Do you have someone waiting to make you happy in a tent somewhere?’
Sam held her gaze steadily. As his eyes met hers, Tina knew there was no one else. She found herself blustering, ‘Forgive me, I shouldn’t intrude.’
Pushing up his jumper sleeves, Sam lowered his attention to his potato. ‘If there was someone, would I be here?’
‘Probably not.’ Tina mumbled, taking a mouthful of too-hot spud. Struggling not to spit it out again, she let it burn her mouth as her eyes fell on the bottom edge of a tattoo that had been made visible on his right arm by the rucking up of his sleeve.
‘How about you? If you don’t mind me asking.’ Sam poured some honey into their mugs, followed by hot water from a billycan he’d been warming on the fire. ‘I’ve rather assumed you are also single. It can’t just be devotion to your work and your friend that keeps you here all hours.’
Tina felt oddly indignant that Sam had assumed she had nothing else in her life, until she realised that, despite her best efforts, it was the truth. Then she just felt sad.
‘Here.’ Sam passed the well stirred drink. ‘It’s honey, hot water and a little tot of whiskey. Goes well with jacket spuds.’
Tina gave a weak smile that expanded into a broad grin as the soothing liquid slid down her throat. ‘That’s delicious.’
‘I am a man of many talents.’
‘You most certainly are. I can’t tell you how grateful we are that you could fix the window pulley.’
‘That was more Derek than me to be honest. He gave instructions and I followed them.’
‘Well, you both were heroes.’
‘It takes rather more than that to be a hero.’ Sam turned abruptly away, hiding his face by looking up at the manor behind them. ‘Tell me about your plans. Once the manor is restored, whether it is sold or not, what will you do?’
‘Go back to my regular job with the Trust. I’m only here on secondment. I’m their business liaison woman in real life. My days are all accounts and telling people what they can and cannot afford to do with their Trust properties.’
Sam’s eyebrows rose. ‘I had no idea you were an office girl. That’s not how you come across.’
‘And how do I come across?’ Tina took another sip of her honey drink, cursing herself for asking a question she wasn’t sure she wanted an answer to.
‘Outdoorsy. Capable, happy and a touch insecure.’
‘Oh.’ Taken aback by the directness, not to mention the speed of his reply which implied he’d considered the question before, Tina nervously asked. ‘Is that good or bad?’
‘Very good. Everyone is insecure and we’d be foolish to pretend otherwise, but anyone who can help build a chicken coop at a moment’s notice out of random pieces of wood and old tea chests is capable in my book.’
‘It was fun.’ Tina suddenly felt shy. ‘And the chickens must be happy as they’re laying well.’
‘They’re happier still now Mr Stark has moved in.’ Sam laughed. ‘Such a cracking name for a cockerel.’
‘What about you? What will you do once Mill Grange is restored?’
Layering up his fork with potato Sam used it to gesture towards the building. ‘Just look at this place. How could anyone bear to leave?’
‘It’s going to kill Thea if she has to find a new job after all her hard work. She gave up so much to come here to restore it and become the manager once it opened. If it wasn’t for…’ Tina stopped talking.
‘But the reason she gave up what she did is her story to tell, right?’
‘Absolutely.’ Tina ate quietly. ‘I hope she and Shaun are getting on okay.’
*
Thea checked the time on the mantle clock. She’d been there almost an hour, but there was no sign of Shaun.
The backroom to the Stag and Hound had been empty when Moira, who was clearly expecting her, ushered Thea inside, as if she was on a covert operation for the SAS. Having taken her drink and food, insisting that her visitor would be there soon, but was running late, Moira had left Thea in peace.
The jacket potato and salad that was now history hadn’t looked anything like as appetising as the ones Tina and Sam would be tucking into.
‘If he isn’t here in five minutes, I’m going home.’
No sooner had Thea uttered the words to herself, than the door opened and Moira fussed back in, all smiles, reassuring her that the gentleman had arrived and was on his way.
Thea laughed. ‘Why don’t you just call him Shaun? I grant you he can be a gentleman, but he’s kept me waiting weeks without a word and he’s an hour late. That doesn’t rate high on the gentleman score chart.’
‘Because it isn’t Mr Cowlson.’ Moira’s shoulders drooped as she saw the disappointed expression that crossed Thea’s face.
‘Who is it then?’
‘Mr Sommers. He said it was a surprise, that you would be delighted and—’
‘John?’ Thea pulled her coat back on. ‘I’m sorry Moira, but I can’t face dinner with John. Can I leave via the back?’
‘Of course, but why?’
‘Please Moira. I will explain soon, I promise, but it’s best I leave before John gets here.’
Moira was already leading Thea along the corridor that she’d used with Shaun a few weeks ago. All the way she was apologising, ‘It was supposed to be a nice surprise, he said…’
‘In his mind it would have been.’ Thea turned to face her host. ‘Will you keep this to yourself? I couldn’t bear the villagers to know that I walked out on dinner with one of my volunteers.’
‘I’m sure you have your reasons.’ Moira’s eyebrows met in the middle. ‘I’ve never had one customer run away from another customer before.’
&nb
sp; ‘I’m not running away, I’m just… just so very busy.’ Thea’s hand was on the back door out of the pub when she remembered she hadn’t paid for her food yet. ‘The bill. I haven’t…’
‘Forget it. Just get going. If Mr Sommers asks, I’ll tell him you’re staying with a friend tonight, shall I?’
‘Yes. Thank you, Moira.’
Not sure why she’d agreed to that, and knowing Moira hadn’t bought her ‘too busy’ excuse, Thea rushed back towards Mill Grange. She felt an utter fool. ‘Whatever made me think Shaun would come back and surprise me like that? We hardly know each other.’
With every step she cursed Shaun for being away. With every second step she told herself off for expecting Shaun to solve her problems. No one could sort out John’s delusions but her.
Visions of John pacing the backroom of the pub filled her head, soon to be transplanted by images of him leaving the pub and striding towards the manor.
Maybe I should have stayed? Guilt raised its ugly head as Thea walked along. What harm could having a drink with him do? Maybe if I listened to him… As the path curved towards the garden and woods of Mill Grange, Thea let out a groan. ‘No, if I’d stayed, we’d only have gone over the same old ground again.’
*
‘Who’s that?’
Sam had leapt to his feet before Tina was aware of anyone approaching.
A trickle of fear washed down her spine as she stood with Sam, holding her fork in her hand as if it was no longer a tool, but a weapon. The trees whose leaves had chatted behind them in the breeze, now felt dark and oppressive. They could be hiding anything, or anyone.
Barely whispering, Tina muttered, ‘What is it?’
‘I heard someone walking this way. They’re close, they… Thea!’
Sam dashed forward, with Tina close behind him. ‘Thea? Where’s Shaun?’
Thea grimaced, ‘Not Shaun. John.’
*
Sam patrolled the perimeter of the manor while Tina took Thea inside and made her a sub-standard, but nonetheless welcome, version of Sam’s honey and whiskey toddy.
‘I can’t believe this. How did John know you met Shaun there last time?’
‘Moira, I guess.’ Thea rubbed her temples. ‘She has no idea about John being my ex – why would she? Moira thought she was doing something good. She was almost girlish about it until the penny dropped.’
‘I’m staying here until Shaun gets back.’ Tina glanced towards the kitchen window, checking to make sure no one was looking in.
‘It’s very kind of you both, but I’m not afraid of John, I’m just driven to distraction by him.’
‘I’m still staying. I’ll make do with the clothes I’ve got on tonight, and then tomorrow I’ll go home and fetch some clean ones. It makes sense for me to be here now we’re only two months from Open Day.’
Thea nodded. ‘This is so stupid. He didn’t do anything. I didn’t even see him. I keep wondering if I should have stayed – heard it all one more time just to keep the peace.’ Thea massaged her aching forehead. ‘I hope Moira’s alright.’
‘I’m going to go and call her now.’
‘Would you? You’re a star. Thank you.’ Thea held the mug to her chest, inhaling the comforting aroma. ‘Tell her she didn’t do anything wrong.’
‘I’m going to talk to Sam as well. He deserves to know what’s going on, if that’s okay with you.’
‘Yes. Thanks.’ Putting down her cup, Thea held her head in her hands. ‘I feel such a fool, but I’m up to here with his delusions about us having a happy-ever-after.’
Tina gave her friend a quick hug. ‘If you’d stayed, do you think you’d have discovered if there’s more to this than being madly in love with you?’
‘If he was madly in love with me, he wouldn’t be acting like this. He’d be acting like…’
‘Like Shaun does?’ Tina smiled as she reached the door. ‘I’ll have a quick word with Sam and tell him you’re okay. Stay right there. Drink your drink. I’ll be back very soon.’
Twenty-Nine
May 19th
Thea passed Sam a mug of tea as he stood by the front door. ‘I wanted to apologise for my behaviour, and to thank you for looking after me and Tina last night.’
‘You have nothing to apologise for.’
‘John didn’t do anything. I didn’t even see him.’ Thea raked a hand through her tousled hair, ‘He might have been about to apologise and tell me he was leaving.’
‘You don’t really believe that. He’s come this far – why would he quit now? I’m sorry Thea.’ Sam shook his head, ‘I’ve met men like John before. They don’t give up easily when they don’t get what they want.’ He sounded apologetic. ‘Tina explained the situation. How putting some distance between you and John was one of the reasons you came to be at Mill Grange in the first place, I mean.’
Thea wasn’t sure what to say. ‘Did you watch outside the door all night, or did you get some sleep?’
‘Never mind how much sleep I did or didn’t get. You haven’t slept, that’s very clear. Go back to bed now.’
Thea’s voice was laced with panic. ‘How can I? No one but you and Tina know I’m sleeping here. If I go to my room now, I’ll be a hostage in there all day. Plus it’s already almost eight o’clock. There’s stuff to be done. The chickens need cleaning for a start, and let me tell you, Gertrude and her gang do not like being out of routine.’
Sam gave her a reassuring smile. ‘I have already seen to Miss Gertrude and her cohorts. Tina is in the office looking at quotes for the greenhouse. Until John arrives, I’m going to tackle another long overdue job, which is to clear all the tools out of the entrance to the butler’s pantry. If we moved everything to one of the actual sheds, it would be further for us to get what we need, but an extra room of interest would be available to open to the public.’
Thea suddenly felt she might burst into tears. She knew very well that Sam was proposing to tackle that particular job because it meant he could see the main door and the access path to the back door from where he worked.
Sam and Tina’s kindness, on top of Shaun’s desertion and John’s endlessly bizarre behaviour, felt too much and she could only croak, ‘When the others arrive, what will you tell them? Where will you say I am?’
‘That you are having a well-earned day off.’ Seeing Thea was about to object again, Sam held up a hand. ‘Now, go up to your room, get enough things for an overnight stay. Tina’s going to drive you to her place. You need some time away from here. Twenty-four hours with a modern shower, a modern bed, Wi-Fi and coffee shops.’
‘But—’
‘Thea, you are going to crack if you don’t take a break. Men like John can’t be got rid of that easily. They are so used to getting what they want in life, whether it’s their dream job, because they know the right people, or a fast car because they’re paid way more than they’re worth. But don’t you worry, I’ll keep an eye on him.’
Looking across the driveway at the lack of cars, Thea tried to smile. ‘It’s Sunday, so at least it’ll be quiet this morning, but I suspect Mabel and Derek, if not Bill and Diane, will be here later. I’m less sure about the others.’
‘If John does appear, what’s he supposed to be working on?’
‘I’m not sure. Mabel has the rota.’
‘Then he can help me. I need a hand with clearing the debris from the greenhouse before it’s removed or saved, or whatever happens to it.’
‘It’ll be pulled down, I think. So sad. I can picture it full of oranges and lemons and all sorts of heat-loving plants. But, we’ve been pushing our luck with the budget already. There’s no way we can save it all.’
‘Well, either way, it needs a tidy up. John can help me.’
‘Are you sure you want to work with him?’
‘I’m sure I don’t, but I will, because I don’t want him near anyone else.’ Sam paused. ‘Shaun would never forgive me if he got near you for a start.’
‘Shaun?’
/> ‘He asked me to look out for you. Fine job I’ve made of that!’
A flutter of hope sparked inside Thea, but she batted it away. Shaun could have been in touch. But he hadn’t been. End of story. She’d already decided to give him one more week to get in touch; if not, she’d start to hunt for new celebrities to open the manor and mill. It would be a nightmare explaining to everyone who’d already purchased an Open Day ticket why their guest star wasn’t going to appear, but needs must.
‘John’s weird behaviour isn’t your fault, Sam, nor is it your responsibility to watch over me. It was kind of Shaun to show concern, but he’s clearly moved on.’ Thea, realising she sounded ungrateful, gave him a tired smile. ‘I think you’re right. Perhaps a day away from here would be good for me.’
Unruffled by Thea’s objections, Sam shooed her away. ‘Go and pack a bag. Let’s get you out of here before John arrives.’
*
‘Are you sure your housemate won’t mind?’
Tina rolled her eyes. ‘How many more times are you going to ask me that?’
Thea allowed her friend to tuck her up in her own bed, and fuss around her. ‘Sorry.’
‘I’ll be back this evening and we’ll go to the pub for dinner. We can both stay here overnight, and then we’ll head back to the manor tomorrow with enough stuff to live at Mill Grange until opening. Until then, sleep, lounge about, watch crap on the television. Do whatever you like, but don’t work.’
‘Thank Sam again, won’t you?’
‘I will, now go to sleep.’ Tina placed a door key on the bedside table as Thea’s head hit the pillow. ‘My housemate will be at work all day, so you’ll have total peace and quiet.’
Thea’s reply of ‘Thanks, Tina,’ was overtaken by instant blessed sleep.
*
For a few blissful minutes on waking, Thea had forgotten why she was cosy under a soft king-sized duvet in a room with central heating.
The cruel interruption of recent memories sent her eyes snapping back shut and a long groan escaping from her lips.
John.
Even if he got what he wanted and she gave in and went out with him, she couldn’t see how that would make him happy. He’d always have to live with the knowledge that she’d given in to him for a quiet life. That she’d never love him, that she’d always resent him and that she’d do anything to keep him at arm’s length. Where was the victory in that?
