Autumn Leaves at Mill Grange Jenny Kane (uplifting book club books txt) 📖

blowy, wasn’t it?’ Sam said as he came off the roundabout that ultimately led towards the town of Malvern.

‘You could say that.’ Tina pulled off her hat, and unwound the scarf, which was no longer the pristine item it had been two hours before. It was damp from the combined forces of her breathing and the rush of air. Tiny flecks of mud and grit from the road spotted it and, she suspected as she ran a hand through her hair, her face as well. ‘Is there anywhere we can stop and have a wash before we get there? I can’t meet your parents like this.’

Pulling the car into the next lay-by, Sam twisted in his seat. ‘Nice freckles.’

‘Mud-coloured?’

‘With the odd hint of grey and even some green. They add variety to the look you’ve got going there.’

‘You seem to have avoided the green, but you haven’t escaped the beige spottage.’ Tina’s stomach contracted into a tight ball of nervous tension. ‘I can’t go to see your parents like this. ‘I’m scared stiff as it is. I can’t turn up covered in mud. I want to make a good impression.’

Sam wrapped an arm around her shoulders. ‘And you really do care about that don’t you, about them seeing you as a respectable partner for their son, even though I don’t care what you look like at all?’

‘You don’t?’

‘I think you’re drop-dead gorgeous, but that’s just extra for lucky me. It’s you I fell in love with – the part that’s on the inside. The woman who’s so afraid of upsetting people that she upsets herself instead. The one who asks advice from the chickens. The girl who sleeps out in the cold with me, even though she deserves a feather bed and silk sheets.’

Tina rested her head on Sam’s shoulder. ‘I love you.’

‘Good response.’

‘Sam?’

‘Yes?’

‘Will you tell me more about your past?’ Tina twirled a finger around her hair. ‘It really is important to me. I want to know all of you.’

‘I will. I promise.’ He gestured ahead. ‘But can we get this done first?’

‘We can.’

As he turned to kiss her, Sam’s hand started to travel up her leg, before he pulled back. ‘This isn’t a good place to get to the point of no return, and I’m almost there already.’ He flicked his eyes to his crotch and up again, making Tina giggle.

‘Flirt!’

‘A flirt who is only ten miles from Malvern House.’

‘What?’ Tina’s head shot up, expecting to see the manor house on the horizon. ‘We can’t be.’

‘No need to panic.’

‘Too late, I’m already panicking.’ Tina tilted her head to one side. ‘But you’re not?’

‘More apprehensive about going back there than nervous.’ Sam gave her another kiss. ‘Come on, there’s a café two miles from the house. You can use the cloakroom to sort those freckles out.’

*

Shaun didn’t say anything as Phil put down his phone after a long conversation with the television company. Prior to the call, he and Thea had brainstormed every possible angle they could think of to help persuade the management that they should film Mill Grange – no matter what.

It had been Helen’s idea about sponsorship that had made Phil sit up and take notice. Now, as Shaun waited, trying not to pounce on him for answers, he worked through the idea again in his head. From what Thea had told him about the work Tom had done for the Wiltshire Archaeology Trust, having a tutor to train former military personnel in archaeological techniques on staff at Mill Grange was a good one. It would also be an ideal thing to sponsor. The kudos it would bring to Landscape Treasures could only be positive.

Returning to the script he was supposed to be memorising, Shaun found his eyes constantly drifting to the producer, until at last, he saw Phil walking in his direction.

*

‘Are you sure they’ll be okay about me using the bathroom, but not staying for coffee?’

Sam was already out of the car, stretching his legs after being cooped up in the driving position for so long. ‘If they say anything, get a takeaway coffee.’

‘But I don’t want one. I’m nervous enough, the last thing I need is liquid. I can’t shake your mum’s hand and then instantly rush off to the loo.’

‘Tina, calm down. Look around you.’

As if suddenly waking up to where they’d parked, Tina took in velvet green hills, a run of woodland and, to her side, a picturesque café that she couldn’t believe she hadn’t taken in. ‘It’s beautiful.’

‘One of my favourite places as a child. St Ann’s Well and café. You can take the waters here, a little like in Bath, but slightly less disgusting to taste.’

‘Another blast from your past?’ Tina grinned as she found herself imagining a young Sam, running around the grounds with his parents, being held back from the well so he didn’t topple down it. ‘Where’s the well?’

‘Inside. The building dates back to 1813. The spring comes up through a carved Sicilian marble spout and basin.’

‘Really? I’d love to see that.’

‘Then go inside and see it.’

‘But, I can’t leave you outside and…’

‘You can and you must. I need to save my bravery for when I see my father. Go on, you’ll soon be freckle-free.’

There was no need to worry about heading straight to the cloakroom. The café was packed, and if her arrival was noticed by the busily smiling staff, then no one passed comment.

She could see the basin Sam had spoken of, and vowed she’d take a closer look if the place was still anonymously crowded after she’d cleaned up.

One glimpse in the bathroom mirror revealed the extent of the damage. Somehow the spray from the road had seeped its way down Tina’s neck. The collar of her white blouse was no longer white, but streaked with grey. Her jacket was dotted with mud and her hair looked like she’d been through a hedge both backwards and forwards.

Do not cry. Do not cry.

Knowing that tear-stained eyes would not improve the situation, Tina