Autumn Leaves at Mill Grange by Jenny Kane

Author:Jenny Kane [Kane, Jenny]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781838938123
Publisher: Head of Zeus

*

Thea’s phone warmed her ear as Shaun explained how time was slipping away from them in Cornwall. Every now and then her gaze swivelled to the emails that awaited her attention on the open laptop, its screen projecting a dim light across the scullery office.

She realised she was only half listening when she heard Shaun laugh. ‘Ajay is convinced Sophie fancies me. He’s wrong of course, but not only would your being here help us get back on track, and possibly to Mill Grange on time, it would also help get him off my back with the teasing.’

Thea’s palm began to prickle. Is Ajay right? ‘Is that so?’

‘Yes, I’ve told you about her. She’s a distance-learning student, with no practical skills until we arrived. I have to say, Sophie is good at this archaeology lark.’

Do you have to say? Thea felt her muscles clench as she listened to Shaun.

‘She’s a natural. Phil loves her on camera. I guess she’s got that young professional appeal that’s so popular these days.’

‘And having a female presenter on the show won’t hurt Landscape Treasures either, will it?’ Thea could hear herself saying the right thing, but the nagging feeling she’d all but dismissed during her discussions with Tina and Helen, re-stirred in her gut.

‘That’s true,’ Shaun agreed. ‘Luckily, I know that Phil isn’t letting her present just to tick some PC box. It was a requirement of us being here.’

‘It was?’

‘I’ll explain when I see you.’ Shaun paused. ‘She is good though, Thea.’

‘You said,’ Thea snapped.

Oblivious to Thea’s mood, Shaun said, ‘I know it’s bad timing, but is there any chance you can come to Cornwall for a couple of days? I honestly can’t think of another way to get this excavation finished on time so we can do the Mill Grange dig.’

Trying to be reassured that Shaun wanted her with him, and desperate to get in her car and go to see this Sophie for herself, Thea glanced again at the pile of work awaiting her attention. ‘I can’t. There’s so much to do here before we open properly. I’m helping interview a potential archaeology skills tutor tomorrow.’

‘That was quick! Didn’t the advert only go live last week?’

‘It did, but we had three applicants in the first day alone. The guy who’s coming, Tom Harris, looks the best one on paper.’

‘Right. Good. So you’ll have help. Once he’s there, you might be able to come here.’

‘As I said, I’d like to, but—’

‘Are Treasure Hunters still keen?’ Shaun broke through Thea’s reply.

‘You know they are.’

Shaun groaned. ‘I was wondering about discussing tactics to speed things up here with Sophie and—’

Sick of hearing the name Sophie again, Thea hung up the phone.

Five minutes later she sent a text saying they’d been cut off. She agonised about whether to sign off with a kiss or not. Deciding Shaun didn’t deserve one, she didn’t bother. She doubted he would notice.

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