Page 99 of Moonlight Kisses at Willow Tree Hall

He was all smiles and at ease, Lily realised. Perhaps he had guessed that her dad might be a bit on edge with a surprise visit.

‘Let me just turn this off,’ said her dad, grabbing the remote and switching off the television. ‘So,’ he said, into the sudden silence. ‘How’s it going up at the big house?’

‘It’s going well, isn’t it?’ said Lily, looking across at Jack for reassurance. She had no idea what this was about.

‘You’ve heard about the orchard?’ asked Jack, looking straight at Lily’s dad.

Richard nodded. ‘Lily’s grandad told me all about the plans. It all sounds very exciting.’

‘The trouble is that Bert showed me the apple press this morning,’ carried on Jack. ‘It’s pretty ancient, but I think we can get it up and working. Unfortunately, there’s a plate missing for the press. I was wondering whether you could take a look at it for us?’

‘Me?’ Lily’s dad was startled. ‘I don’t know anything about apple presses.’

‘Me neither,’ said Jack, smiling. ‘But it appears that what’s missing is a piece of wood, and I was thinking that perhaps you could measure one up for us?’

‘You can’t manage it by yourself?’ asked Lily’s dad, looking concerned.

‘If it were electrics, I’d be fine,’ Jack told him. ‘But I’m all fingers and thumbs when it comes to woodwork. I understand that’s your area of expertise.’

Richard shook his head. ‘Not for a long time, son.’

Now Lily understood why they had come.

‘But you would remember, Dad,’ she said quickly.

‘Absolutely,’ added Jack. ‘And it would really help the family out. We need all the help we can get.’

Richard frowned as he thought hard. ‘Well, maybe if you bring it here I could…’

Jack laughed. ‘I’m afraid it’s about a ton weight of cast iron! Perhaps you could come to the orchard instead?’

Richard gulped. ‘I don’t know…’

‘I could take you to the main house,’ said Lily, thinking quickly. ‘It’s not a long walk from the house. You know, with your leg attached.’

The silence stretched out as her dad thought it through.

Lily glanced at Jack for reassurance, but he sat patiently waiting, not wanting to push Richard any further.

Eventually, her dad spoke. ‘Well, I suppose it might be nice to get some fresh air.’

Lily found tears pricking her eyes as she reached out to squeeze his hand with hers. ‘That’s great,’ she said, her words a little tremulous from the surge of emotion she felt as she spoke.

‘Excellent,’ said Jack, nodding his approval. ‘We’d be so grateful of the help.’

‘What’s all this?’

They all looked up with a start and Lily found her mum standing in the doorway.

‘Hi, Mum,’ said Lily, getting up to give her mum a kiss on the cheek. ‘Dad’s going to help Jack with the apple press up at Willow Tree Hall.’

Her mum gave a start. ‘He is?’ She looked at Jack for clarification.

‘We really need his carpentry skills,’ Jack told her.

Celia replied enthusiastically, ‘Well, that sounds great. Very good. Eh, Richard?’

Her husband looked up at her. ‘You think I’d be OK?’