Spring Blossoms at Mill Grange

course I do, I suppose I just assumed you’d want to see me in the day, rather than in the evening.’
‘I told you, I’m busy next week. It’s tomorrow night or not for ages. I’ve booked a table at the local Indian. Are you coming or not?’

Seven
Friday March 20th
‘That’s it. I give up!’ Shaun rolled over, almost falling out of bed after another night of very little sleep. ‘All I’ve done is lay in bed thinking about how badly I want to sleep, and how sick I am of Julian leering over you.’
The edges of Thea’s temper began to fray. ‘For the last time, Shaun, he isn’t doing any such thing!’
‘You seriously can’t see it, can you?’ Shaun scrubbed his knuckles across his bloodshot eyes.
‘Because there is nothing to see!’ Thea, her limbs heavy from her own lack of sleep, groaned as she got to her feet. ‘You’re beginning to sound like a stuck record. Worse! Like a prima donna who can’t get a vegan snack in the middle of the jungle!
‘I knew this project was a voyage of discovery, but I didn’t think the first thing I’d find out was that you’re a very different person when deprived of sleep.’ Thea sagged back against the side of the van as she clicked on the kettle. ‘Whatever the situation, if you don’t want me dozing off in the trench next to you tomorrow, I’ll be sleeping in the other campervan tonight.’
Seeing Thea meant what she said, Shaun gave up. ‘Okay, I guess we need some quality sleep.’
‘Thank you!’ She banged an empty coffee cup down in front of him, ‘Now, I think we need caffeine. And fast.’
*
Shaun spoke into the camera, his presenter’s smile firmly in place. ‘The valley in which Birdlip Villa is set is simply outstanding. Do you think it was purely the desire for a nice view from the garden that led to it being built here, Thea, or was there more to it?’
Taking her cue from Shaun, Thea gestured into the distance, her arm sweeping across the camera, as if to encapsulate the open plain before them. ‘While I’m sure the stunning vista had a lot to do with it, I have no doubt status played a part. Being able to afford to have such a vast home built here would have been solid proof of status in the Romano-British community. This villa is the period equivalent of a modern business man buying a mansion and putting a Jacuzzi, swimming pool and gym in the grounds.’
‘You think the owner was a business man?’
Thea gave Shaun a dazzling grin. ‘He could well have been, but more likely a politician of some sort. Quite possibly he was both.’
‘And how about mosaics, Thea? It’s early days yet, but what do you think the chances are of us finding mosaics on the floors?’
‘I would love to say we will, but obviously I can’t do that until the archaeology reaches floor level. Let’s just say I’d be surprised if we didn’t find any. As the geophysics results show, we are looking to uncover a decent sized dining area, or triclinium, and a bath house here. With Chedworth Roman Villa only fifteen miles away, we already know that the local people, at least those wealthy enough to afford it, had access to mosaic makers, who put together the pieces, or tesserae, into incredible geometric patterns and detailed pictures.’
‘Let’s hope we find some examples of their work.’ Shaun turned away from Thea and spoke directly into the camera. ‘It’s time to see how our diggers are getting on.’
‘Cut!’ Julian rubbed his palms. ‘Brilliant, Thea. Thank you. Shaun, can we do that last line to camera again? It was a bit flat. More excitement this time please.’
*
‘More excitement!’ Shaun growled under his breath as he spoke to Sam. ‘Honest to God, I think this is the first time in my life I’ve actually pictured myself punching someone.’
‘You really think he’s trying to make you look bad in Thea’s eyes by getting you to redo bits to camera that are perfectly alright?’
‘It feels like it. Phil was picky, but this bloke…’ Shaun puffed out a blast of pent-up tension down the phone line. ‘Oh I don’t know, Sam. Half the time I think I’m being paranoid. Thea certainly does.’
‘Could you be?’
‘Possibly.’
 ‘Even if what you say is true, and this Julian does have a crush on Thea, so what?’
‘How do you mean?’
‘Don’t be dim. Julian could have a major crush on Thea, but if she isn’t interested, then it makes no difference. Remember how it was when you were in Cornwall, and that Sophie had a crush on you? Now the boot’s on the other foot. Thea hasn’t shown any signs of flirting with him, has she?’
‘Well, no.’
‘Stop being an arse then, mate. In fact, as Bert would say, apologise to Thea without delay.’
‘He would, wouldn’t he? I’ve been an idiot, haven’t I?’
‘Yep.’
Raking a hand through his hair, Shaun resolved to find Thea as soon as he’d finished talking to Sam. ‘Anyway, enough of my moans. How’s life at Mill Grange?’
‘All good, thanks. The current guests are almost ready to leave. One of them has already rebooked with a mind to doing the archaeology certificate with Tom when it launches properly in July.’
‘Excellent news.’
‘Talking of news, what are you guys doing about Easter? Tina said you had the weekend off?’
‘I’m hoping we’ll get back to Mill Grange.’
‘In that case, I should warn you that you will be driving into a whole world of chocolate.’
*
‘Did you tell Shaun and Thea about Bert being ill?’
Tina passed Sam a slice of lemon cake and sat on the bench next to him, lifting her face to the sunshine that bathed the garden.
‘No. Bert asked me not to. They’d only worry, and what can they do? It’s not like they can drop everything and come to see him.’ Sam stretched out his legs and wrapped an arm around Tina’s shoulders. He knew he ought to tell