Page 11 of Moonlight Kisses at Willow Tree Hall

Eleanor had started up a natural beauty business in the stable block of Willow Tree Hall.

Megan nodded. ‘It’s really taken off, so I help her out when little Sam’s at nursery. Apart from today, that is. Thankfully, she’s up in London with Tom today.’

‘Tommy King?’ asked Lily, her eyes widening. She had heard the rumours, of course.

Tommy King was a global superstar who had arrived in the village the previous summer to record his new album. Annie’s husband, Sam, was his manager and had built a recording studio in the grounds. Eleanor and Tommy were now living in the old forge in the village.

‘I think they’ll be shopping for an engagement ring before too long,’ said Annie, grinning.

‘Wow,’ said Lily. It seemed as if everyone was settling down and partnered up except her.

Something must have shown in her face, as Annie suddenly said, ‘I was sorry that you broke up with your boyfriend.’

‘I blabbed,’ Megan added. ‘Sorry.’

‘That’s OK.’ Lily shrugged her shoulders.

‘Was he really cheating on you?’ asked Megan.

‘Yup.’

‘Tosser,’ muttered Annie.

‘Absolutely,’ said Megan, nodding her head in agreement. ‘You’re well shot of him, if that’s what he’s like.’

‘You’ve had a tough time recently,’ said Annie, looking at her in pity. ‘Between that and losing your job.’

‘Yeah, I’m living the dream being back in my parents’ box room,’ said Lily, with a grimace.

‘What will you do now?’ asked Megan.

Lily shrugged her shoulders. ‘There aren’t too many event management jobs around here. And that’s all I know. Or, rather, that’s all I’ve been doing for the past five years. Really, it was just the paperwork, mainly. And coordinating staff, invoices, the lot. I love a good mess, me.’

‘You should come up to the Hall then,’ muttered Annie. ‘It’s in chaos at the moment.’

‘What’s going on?’ asked Lily. ‘I thought all the renovations were finished?’

‘Almost. But it’s not that. There’s just so many of us to keep track of these days,’ said Annie. ‘You heard Sam’s younger brother is back for good now? And he got married, so there’s both Will and Skye around all the time. Which is lovely, don’t get me wrong. But everyone likes to eat dinner together in the evening and I just haven’t got the effort in me to plan and cook meals at the minute.’

‘Arthur doesn’t make too much mess though, does he?’ said Megan, with a smile.

‘Of course not,’ said Annie, her face softening.

‘Is his sister, Rose, still living at the Hall?’ asked Lily.

‘Yes. Do you know her?’

Lily nodded and smiled. Everyone knew Rose Harris. A warm, friendly pensioner of extravagant fashion sense with a wicked sense of humour. Married four times, she had been around the world but had come home to Willow Tree Hall when Arthur had been widowed a few years ago.

‘So there’s Sam and me,’ carried on Annie, counting on her fingers. ‘Will and Skye. They live in Willow Tree Lodge, which is in the grounds. Eleanor is always popping in with Tom. And Arthur and Rose.’

‘Sounds nice,’ said Lily. ‘A place filled with life.’

‘Only problem is trying to keep track of everything and everyone. They’re all so busy with their own jobs and trying to keep the place afloat. Not that I was any good at it when I was housekeeper, and there was only Arthur and Rose then! I need some help, but I don’t know where to start.’

‘I know,’ said Megan, her eyes gleaming as she looked from Annie to Lily. ‘You should be their temporary housekeeper!’

Lily was startled. ‘I don’t know how to be one of those!’ she said, laughing. ‘I haven’t got any experience in being a housekeeper.’