Spring Blossoms at Mill Grange

always have done so, Tom relented. ‘He’s at a decent school, he’s settled in and doing well. You’ve got a nice home for him. Rents a bit steep but—’
‘Yeah, sorry about that.’
‘I don’t mind as long as Dylan is happy. But I would like to see him more often, and I’d definitely appreciate you adding my number to the school contact list.’
‘So, can we meet for a drink and a decision-making session soon?’
‘Yes.’
Tom was about to ask about suitable times when the supermarket van lumbered into sight. ‘I’m sorry, Sue, it’s a bit all hands to the pump today. Our caterer’s husband is sick and—’
But Sue had stopped listening. ‘I must go. If I get stuck behind a tractor between Upwich and Tiverton, it could take an hour to get back. I’ll text you.’
By the time the van driver had parked, Sue’s Mini was hurtling away, leaving Tom torn between elation at the prospect of seeing his son more often, and suspicion that his ex was up to something.
*
Only a few months ago, Tina had experienced a hit of anxiety every time a new group of retreat guests arrived on a Monday afternoon. Today, as the five newcomers happily explored Mill Grange after listening to Sam’s introductory talk, Tina realised that, although she’d been nervous, she wasn’t her usual ball of tension.
‘Maybe it’s because I’m worrying about Bert instead.’ She passed Helen the tray of dirty cups and saucers to place in the dishwasher.
‘Or, perhaps you’re getting used to it.’ Helen poked a fork into the lasagne bubbling inside the Aga to check the pasta was softening as per Mabel’s very specific instructions.
‘Possibly.’ Tina checked her watch. ‘Mabel hasn’t called. Surely the doctor would have finished by now? It’s gone five.’
‘If there’s been an emergency at the surgery, then the doctor could have been delayed.’
‘Maybe.’ Tina didn’t look convinced.
‘Why don’t you head over there? I can hold the fort. There’s still two hours until dinner.’ Helen turned the heat of the Aga right down. ‘I’ve only got this cooking early as Mabel said it tastes better if it’s cooked and then reheated before serving.’
‘I’m not sure.’ Tina tugged at her pigtails. ‘The first few hours with new guests can either be smooth, or full of trouble shooting. I don’t see why you should have to do that.’
Helen smiled. ‘I’m happy to, don’t worry.’
‘If only Thea was here as well! Talk about bad timing to be a set of hands down.’
*
Sam pressed the ‘end call’ function on his mobile’s screen and looked up at Tina, who was sat close enough to him to have partially heard what had been said down the other end of the line, but she still sensed she only had half the story.
‘So?’
‘I’m afraid it’s as I feared.’
Tina frowned. ‘What was it you feared?’
‘Bert has pneumonia.’
Sucking in a sharp intake of breath, Tina forced herself not to panic. ‘That’s potentially serious when you’re Bert’s age. You thought that’s what he had?’
‘I didn’t say anything because I wanted to be wrong.’
‘Is he in hospital?’
‘No. His GP thinks they’ve caught it early enough for him to stay put. He has given Bert antibiotics and Mabel strict instructions to keep a close eye on him. The doctor’s visiting again tomorrow.’
Tina exhaled slowly. ‘That means it’s not as serious as it might have been then, if he isn’t in hospital.’
‘It will depend if the antibiotics help. If they don’t make a difference within three days, or if his temperature spikes further, or he gets diarrhoea or chest pain as he coughs, he’ll have to be admitted.’ Sam sighed. ‘Plus, there’s less chance of Bert being infected with other things if he stays at home.’
‘Is Mabel okay?’
‘She sounded shaky but her usual determined tone was back in evidence down the line.’ Sam hugged Tina to his side. ‘She told me in no uncertain terms to take care of you and this place and not bother about the likes of them.’
‘That sounds like Mabel!’ Tina laughed. ‘I feel a bit better for knowing she got stern with you.’
‘I know what you mean.’ Sam pointed towards the kitchen door. ‘All going okay here? Everyone happy?’
‘Seem to be. All food has been consumed and rooms inspected.’ Tina got to her feet. ‘Helen and Tom are in the drawing room doing the rounds of tea and coffee.’
‘Should we relieve them?’ Sam looked across the garden. ‘It’s a nice evening, and we could take the guests over to the walled garden to meet the chickens.’
‘Good idea.’ Tina got to her feet. ‘I thought maybe we could give Tom and Helen a night off. If Bert does end up in hospital, with Thea gone, time off is going to become a precious thing.’
‘Excellent idea. They both work far longer hours than we pay them for anyway.’
Tina was halfway to the kitchen door when she suddenly remembered something. ‘Before we heard about Bert, you were going to take us all into the walled garden to tell us about an idea you’d had.’
‘So I was.’
‘Aren’t you going to tell me what it was?’
‘Nope. Not yet.’

Four
Monday March 16th
Helen sipped her cider as Tom settled down in the chair opposite, a pint of the Stag and Hound’s latest guest ale in his hand.
‘It was all I could do not to ask Sue if she’d had a bump on the head.’
‘Was it so out of character for her to offer to add you to the parent contact list at Dylan’s primary school?’
‘Completely. The Sue I know is selfish to the point of obsession. Although,’ Tom placed his pint back on the table, ‘I will admit she hasn’t been so self-absorbed since her latest house move. She must have had a lobotomy at some point between leaving Swindon and coming to Tiverton.’
‘She can’t be that bad or you’d never have got together in the first place.’
Lifting his glass back up, Tom hid in his pint for a moment, unsure if he wanted to tell Helen why he’d originally dated Sue.