Page 85 of Moonlight Kisses at Willow Tree Hall

‘Darling!’ said Rose, laughing. ‘It doesn’t matter. I’ve been on the naughty step my whole life!’

Annie smiled. ‘Why am I not surprised?’

‘I ruined your clothes,’ began Lily. ‘I upset everyone. And then the cleaning…’ Lily gulped. ‘Lauren walked out.’

‘Teenage hormones,’ said Rose, ruefully.

Lily shook her head. ‘No, I was too strict with her.’

‘The trouble is, she’s not a cleaner,’ said Rose. ‘She has no interest in it.’

‘The only thing she’s interested in is baking,’ said Lily, and then stopped. ‘I wonder…’

‘What?’ said Annie.

‘One of the reasons you wanted me to work here in the first place was to help out with the dinners and all that. I wonder if she could help with that instead?’

‘Well, that sounds like a plan,’ said Rose.

‘So we lose a cleaner and gain a cook instead?’ Annie nodded thoughtfully. ‘That could work.’

‘We did always have a cook before,’ said Rose.

‘Maybe I could have a word with her?’ said Lily, before her face dropped once more. ‘But what about the album launch? What will we do?’

‘Actually, I think Sam thought it might be quite nice to hold it here,’ said Annie, with a shrug. ‘Anyway, weren’t you an events organiser in London?’

Lily shook her head. ‘I was only the assistant. I wasn’t in charge.’

‘So?’ said Rose. ‘Darling, think big! Well, that settles it.’ She stood up, her eyes gleaming. ‘Think of all those musicians and glamorous journalists milling around here. How marvellous!’

But Lily still wasn’t convinced. ‘I’m not so sure.’

‘Nonsense!’ said Rose, in a firm tone. ‘Let’s hold it here. Doesn’t it highlight the Hall? All publicity is good publicity, after all.’

‘I agree,’ said Annie, with a yawn. ‘But I’m going to have to leave it with you, more or less. With Sam’s input, of course. What do you think?’

Lily bit her lip. ‘What if I get too bossy again?’

‘We’ll tell you,’ said Annie. ‘I promise. Listen, how about we rebrand you? Why don’t you help organise the big events like the album launch? So you don’t need to worry about being a housekeeper and all the strain that comes with it? More like Willow Tree Hall’s very own personal assistant. What do you say?’

‘Are you sure?’ asked Lily.

‘I think that would work better for all of us,’ said Annie. ‘We can muddle through with the personal stuff like we always have done. That leaves the big organisation side of things to you. Do you think you can handle it?’

‘I’d like to try,’ Lily told her.

‘Good.’ Annie reached out to squeeze her hand. ‘Please stay. You’re part of the family now.’

Lily squeezed Annie’s hand in reply. ‘I’d love to.’

‘Excellent!’ said Rose, clapping her hands together in glee. ‘Let’s have a drink to celebrate!’

‘I’m still pregnant,’ Annie told her, rolling her eyes.

‘And I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to face alcohol ever again,’ added Lily, with a grimace.

‘Lightweights,’ said Rose, laughing. ‘Anyway, that leaves more for me then, doesn’t it?’