Spring Blossoms at Mill Grange

feel towards Sue is a failing, not a problem.’
A memory of Tom’s fingers running across the front of her t-shirt that morning sent a frisson of pleasure shooting through her, despite her self-imposed gloom. Finding herself suddenly smiling, Helen gave herself a mental shake, and checking no one was around, started to talk herself through her feelings as she used to do when working out tricky business issues back in Bath.
‘One: Sue is Dylan’s mum, so Tom will see her. Two: if Tom is going to have joint custody, then they’re going to have to meet more often to sort out how it’ll work. Three: You have no right, or reason, to feel excluded. You were not part of Tom’s life when Dylan came along.’ Rechecking no one was listening as she told herself off, Helen kept going. ‘More to the point, no one knows you are part of his life now; a mutual decision based on common sense as we live and work in the same place and because we have Dylan to consider.
‘Four: I wouldn’t begrudge Dylan a moment of happiness with his parents. So, in conclusion, I’ve been feeling like a slighted teenager for no reason.’
Helen looked down at the notebook in her lap. ‘Luckily, no one knows I stormed off in a huff, so no harm done.’
Picking up her pen, she added, ‘The Romans on Exmoor’, to her list of chapter headings.
*
Waving at Tom, Tina headed to the table for two she’d reserved. Situated on the opposite side of the café, she was out of earshot of the small family group, deep in animated conversation, near the garden door.
Sybil appeared at her side, a pot of tea in one hand and a pot of coffee in the other. ‘Mabel almost with you, Tina, or should I make her a fresh pot in a while?’
‘She’s on her way. The hospital phoned as we were leaving her cottage. After I got the thumbs up telling me Bert was alright, I was ushered out to make sure we didn’t lose the reservation.’
‘As if I’d let anyone else sit at Mabel’s favourite table.’ Sybil laughed. ‘How’s she coping without Bert?’
Tina pulled a face. ‘It’s hard to tell. She’s back doing lunches at the manor, so she’s keeping busy, but she isn’t the same.’
‘That’s what I thought when I saw her a couple of days ago. I’m not sure she’s eating properly. She’s lost weight, and she wasn’t big to start with.’
‘I don’t think she’s sleeping much either.’ Tina looked out of the window in time to see Mabel crossing the road towards them. ‘That’s why I’ve invited her here this morning, to get some food into her while I distract her with wedding talk.’
Sybil added a handful of serviettes to the wooden dispenser on the neighbouring table. ‘I’ll assume three cheese scones between two, unless you come and tell me otherwise.’
‘Perfect. Thanks Sybil.’
*
Dylan was having trouble sitting still. His scone and orange juice were long gone, but his parents were being extremely slow about drinking their coffee, despite having finished talking about school ages ago. When he saw Tina come in, Dylan put down the book he was reading and tugged his dad’s sleeve.
‘Look, it’s Tina, can I go and say hello?’
Sue shook her head before Tom had time to answer. ‘I don’t think it would be a good idea to bother one of your dad’s employers.’
Tom laid a hand on his son’s leg. ‘Tina’s as much a friend as an employer, and I know she wouldn’t mind, but perhaps you could just say hello on the way out, Dylan.’
‘Okay.’ Dylan lifted his book back up, only to drop it again when he saw Mabel. ‘Look, Dad. It’s Mabel! She’s not an employ person, Mum. She’s my friend. Can I go?’
Sue was surprised. ‘That old lady is your friend?’
‘And one of the nicest people you’d ever wish to meet.’ Tom suddenly found himself having to pick his words with care so he didn’t lose his temper. ‘Of course you can, Dylan. But walk and be careful of Sybil moving around with hot food and drink.’
As Dylan shot off like a rocket trying very hard to move in slow motion, Tom hissed under his breath. ‘That woman, in fact, those women, have been incredibly kind to your son. Don’t you ever make them sound as if they are not worthy of his attention again.’
Sue’s eyebrows shot up, as she looked over to where Dylan was being scooped up onto Mabel’s lap and held as if he was visiting a grandparent. ‘Don’t tell me you have a thing for your boss?’
‘I beg your pardon?’ Tom leaned forward so he didn’t have to raise his voice. ‘I assume your implying a fling with Tina rather than Mabel?’
‘Well—’
‘What is wrong with you, Sue? We were having a lovely morning. Dylan was happy, we had things to look forward to, and then you go and say something like that?’
‘Well, I—’
‘You’re jealous.’
Sue crashed her coffee cup down onto her saucer, causing half of the café’s occupants to turn and look at her. ‘Why the hell would I be jealous of a wrinkly old lady and a woman who hasn’t grown out of having her hair in pigtails?’
‘You are jealous of the way Dylan’s face lit up when he saw them, that’s what.’ Tom shook his head. ‘What’s going on with you, Sue? I thought you were happy with your new job and new life and so on.’
‘I am.’
‘So what’s with the barbs?’
Sue continued to watch Dylan. She couldn’t hear what was being said but she could see he was giggling and she sighed. ‘I suppose I wish he’d act like that around my friends.’
‘I doubt they spoil him rotten and read him bedtime stories, though, do they?’ Tom forced a smile, while wondering who these friends were. ‘He likes Harriet though, she reads to him too.’
Sue ignored the question. ‘Perhaps we should go. Dylan’s probably disturbed them for quite long enough.’
Hastily leaving some cash