Page 23 of Moonlight Kisses at Willow Tree Hall

‘That’s the senior end,’ said Sam, nodding at the other end where Arthur and Rose sat.

‘I’m not sure I relish being referred to as “senior”,’ said Rose, making a face. ‘Darling, I’m middle-aged at best.’

‘At seventy?’ murmured Arthur, getting up.

‘My dear brother, it’s sixty-five and you know it,’ said Rose, with a smirk.

‘Welcome to Willow Tree Hall,’ said Arthur, smiling as he turned to face Lily. ‘You’ll find us quite a noisy bunch to contend with.’

‘That’s fine,’ Lily told him softly.

‘Sweetheart,’ said Rose, leaping up to hug Lily. ‘It’s been too long. I’d forgotten how beautiful your red hair is. Do you think I could get away with that colour?’

‘Well, I don’t see why not if you’re only middle-aged,’ said Arthur pointedly.

Rose held up a heavily bejewelled hand. ‘Darling, you know I knock off a couple of years for luck. It’s not good for my sex life, otherwise.’

A groan went up around the table.

‘Moving on,’ said Sam, in a loud tone above the hubbub.

‘As quickly as possible, please,’ added Will, coming over to the table with a mug of coffee.

‘Quite,’ said Sam. ‘This is my younger brother, Will, and his far lovelier wife, Skye.’

‘We met yesterday. Hi,’ said Skye, looking up from her phone. ‘I’m so glad you took the job.’

‘Do you know Eleanor?’ continued Sam. ‘She works at the stable block in one of the workshops.’

‘I think “work” is being a bit optimistic,’ said the good-looking man sitting next to Eleanor.

‘Watch it, buster,’ said Eleanor, giving him a nudge with her elbow before smiling up at Lily. ‘Hi. You were in the year below us at school, weren’t you?’

Lily nodded. ‘Yes. I’ve heard that your business is doing so well.’

Eleanor had begun Eleanor’s Apothecary, creating homemade creams and soaps and, according to local gossip, it was going from strength to strength.

‘Thanks,’ said Eleanor. She glanced at the familiar-looking man next to her. ‘This is Tom. You might know him as global superstar Tommy King, but to us he’s just the carpenter.’

‘Hi,’ said Tom, with a shy nod.

Lily smiled in reply trying not to look goggle-eyed at the famous singer.

‘Unfortunately for us,’ said Will, sitting down opposite them. ‘I’m desperate for an electrician and all you know is wood.’

‘And a few songs as well,’ added Sam. ‘Tom’s been taking a year off away from the limelight.’

‘And I’ve spent all of it helping Will do up one of the old barns,’ said Tom.

Will shrugged his shoulders. ‘I’d have hired someone to do it instead, but your charges are much more reasonable.’

‘I’m doing it for free!’ said Tom.

‘Exactly,’ said Will, grinning.

‘Who have I left out?’ asked Sam, frowning.

‘Just me,’ said Annie, appearing at the bottom of the stairs.