Page 13 of Moonlight Kisses at Willow Tree Hall

‘Hi!’ said Sam, coming across to shake Jack’s hand. ‘Good to see you again after all these years.’

Jack had been in the same school year as Sam Harris, who was the grandson of the Earl of Cranley to whom the estate belonged. Sam had been a popular boy at the school, despite becoming more quiet year on year, especially after his parents had been killed in a car crash. His younger brother, Will, had been the more popular boy, with his quick wit and easy charm.

When Jack had rung to make an appointment, Arthur had handed the phone call across to Sam, who had brought him up to speed.

Jack might have remained friends with Sam after school, but he had left the village so quickly after sixth form. Besides, they’d moved in different circles, and Sam’s choice of career as a manager for various singers and bands meant that he had been travelling across the world for most of the past decade.

Although most of his artists were good, none had been commercially viable until Tommy King’s breakout into global superstardom a few years previously. In addition, his rock band Hazy Memory, despite not having had a hit since their annoying 1970s Christmas single, had also had a resurgence in sales in the past year.

But with the sudden and much needed income from his commission, Sam had unexpectedly withdrawn from the music scene. He still retained a handful of artists to manage, but he had professed himself content with his life in the country.

Apparently, he was now married and living in the stately pile.

‘How was your journey?’ asked Sam.

‘Fine, thanks,’ said Jack, taking Sam’s hand and giving it a firm grip. ‘I’d forgotten how big this place was.’

Sam nodded and glanced back at the Hall. ‘Big bills to match, unfortunately,’ he said.

Jack understood that Arthur, Sam’s grandfather, had suffered with ill health a while previously and Sam had stepped up to take responsibility for the ancestral home, albeit reluctantly at first.

‘Come inside and I’ll take you through to Grandad’s study,’ said Sam.

They were just heading towards the front door when the sound of another vehicle bumping its way up the driveway made Sam’s steps falter. They turned around to see a taxi pull up. The back door opened and out stepped a very glamorous-looking older lady wearing a huge hat, which caused her some difficulty in getting out of the car.

‘Hello, darlings,’ cried the woman, heading towards them.

‘Hi, Aunty. How was Glyndebourne?’ asked Sam.

‘Glorious, as ever!’ the woman told him. ‘But oh so tragic! La Bohème! Such sadness!’ She went up on tiptoes to give Sam a kiss on his cheek.

He, in turn, gestured to Jack. ‘Aunt Rose, let me introduce Jack Carter. An old school friend who’s here for a meeting.’

‘How marvellous,’ said the woman, giving Jack a once-over that would make anyone blush. ‘Is that flashy car yours? How I do like a man with a fast-running motor!’

‘Thank you,’ said Jack, his mouth twitching into a smile.

Aunt Rose had to be at least seventy years old and was dressed in a very fashionable dress, jacket and matching hat, from which protruded a large feather in the same hot pink colour.

Sam sighed. ‘I’d like to say that you get used to my aunt’s flirting, but don’t assume that you have to.’

‘My darling nephew, I do not flirt!’ said Rose, with a throaty chuckle. ‘I merely stun and disarm.’ She placed her arm in Sam’s and they headed towards the front door. ‘How’s your gorgeous wife been whilst I’ve been away?’

‘A bit tired,’ said Sam, his smile dropping. ‘She’s gone to see Megan.’

‘Poor Annie,’ said Rose, shaking her head. ‘She is suffering with this pregnancy. Well, you know what they say. Hard pregnancy, easy baby.’

‘Let’s hope so,’ said Sam. ‘My wife’s due to have our first child in October,’ he added, as an aside to Jack.

‘Congratulations,’ said Jack automatically.

It wasn’t that he had anything against children. But being one that had been thoroughly unwanted since the day he came into the world, he had no plans to become a father any time soon – despite the odd pang that he was missing out on something amazing.

They went through the wide double front door and into an enormous entrance hall.

Jack stared around in wonder. Despite the deep red walls, it was still a light and airy room. A wide, dark oak staircase curved up to the first floor. All along the stairwell were portraits of generations of the Harris family. From the double-heighted ceiling hung a chandelier, glittering in the afternoon sunshine. A large fireplace was waiting to be lit when winter arrived.

Jack became aware of Sam watching his reaction. ‘I’ve been in worse,’ he said, with a rueful grin.