Page 81 of Moonlight Kisses at Willow Tree Hall

‘You’re just as bad as me,’ she told him, coming to stand in front of him so that she was only inches away. ‘Not as uptight, perhaps, but you’re just as closed-off as I am. When was the last time you let anyone into your life?’

‘That’s not the point…’ he began.

But she put her fingers up against his lips to stop him talking. ‘It’s exactly the point. When was the last time you lived a little? Felt alive?’

Suddenly the world closed in. The kitchen disappeared around him and it was just them.

‘June 29th, 2005,’ he said, staring down into her green eyes.

He found he couldn’t look away. Couldn’t stop his hands from moving around to her back to bring her closer to him.

‘That’s quite a specific date,’ she said, sounding a little breathless as she stared up at him.

‘That was the last time we kissed,’ he told her, bending his head down to hers.

She gave a little gasp as their lips met. Jack was immediately transported back fourteen years. But the kiss was just as sweet as when they had been younger. Her lips were just as soft. And she had exactly the same effect on him that she had always done.

He managed to drag himself away eventually from her, stepping backwards.

They stared at each other for a moment, both gulping at the air as they tried to recover from the moment.

Then Lily turned and walked away before he could say anything.

Jack was left cursing his lack of control, thinking that he had caused her more pain rather than helping as he had intended to do.

32

Lily took a deep breath before putting the key in the lock of the front door.

She had hoped that the short drive home from Willow Tree Hall would help clear her mind and give her the courage to tell her parents that she’d lost yet another job. But it hadn’t.

She hadn’t been able to concentrate on anything after Jack had kissed her.

Why had he done that? Her stomach lurched at the memory. He had felt so good. So familiar. So right.

But it was all wrong. She wasn’t some naive sixteen-year-old any more.

How many women had he kissed since their last kiss? How many before he had first kissed her? She sighed. She didn’t want to think about that. After all, she had been nearly engaged.

And Mark’s kisses never felt like that, she found herself thinking.

Lily felt cross. It wasn’t fair! He had dumped her just before the prom. And yet… since he had returned to the village he had been a little softer. Kinder. He had looked out for her. And he had saved her life.

All of which meant that she was even more confused and miserable as she opened up her front door.

‘Hello,’ she called out.

Her mother dashed out of the kitchen, clutching a tea towel. ‘What are you doing back here so soon? Thought you’d be busy up at the Hall.’

‘I just wanted to make sure Grandad was OK.’

‘He’s asleep in his room,’ whispered Celia. ‘He hardly got any sleep last night. You know what it’s like in hospitals. How are you feeling?’

‘I’m OK. I’ve had lunch. Just a bit of a headache.’

‘I’m not surprised. Moonshine! Honestly!’ Her mother tutted and went to turn away.

Lily sighed. ‘We need to talk.’