Page 122 of Moonlight Kisses at Willow Tree Hall

In addition to the wonderful man in her life, the bookings for weddings to be held in the renovated barn were rushing in, giving her plenty of work to do. The tea room was also up and running, with Lauren selling out her cakes every time it opened. The archaeologists were especially keen on her lemon drizzle cake.

Amazingly, there was now a large archaeological dig at the back of the orchard. The plate that Jack had pulled out of the ground had turned out to be confirmed as fourth-century Roman. A survey had discovered the remains of a possible Roman camp buried underground, and work was now being carried out to uncover it.

Willow Tree Hall was now officially of historical and national importance and could not be sold or flattened to make way for any kind of bypass or motorway. It was safe and would continue to be so.

With the future of the village safe, everyone in Cranley could relax. Her parents were also enjoying a new lease of life. Her dad was working most days and had a newfound passion for his carpentry. With the additional income, her mum had managed to reduce her hours at the supermarket and spent each afternoon batch-cooking to stock up the freezers of the many residents in the village, as well as at Willow Tree Hall. Lily couldn’t remember seeing them as happy as they were these days.

With a long summer ahead of weddings to be organised and apples to be grown, Jack had suggested a holiday in Europe during the quiet weeks of March.

‘Have a fabulous time,’ said Annie, drawing her into a hug. ‘But please come back to us, OK?’

Lily nodded. ‘We will.’

She headed across the driveway to climb onto the back of the bike as the engine roared into life.

They waved their goodbyes before Lily held on tight to Jack as they set off. The large willow tree held the buds of new growth on its branches as they went past.

It would take a couple of days to drive down to Italy, he had told her. Then they were going to take their time and get lost around the glorious landscapes and beautiful towns and villages.

‘I’m going to keep on giving you the life you’ve always wanted,’ he had said the previous night as he had held her close.

And Lily believed him. But it would always be a wonderful life if he was by her side, wherever they were in the world.

Willow Tree Hall and Cranley would continue to be her home and it would always be waiting for her to return. But it wasn’t going to be her whole life any more. That was with Jack.

Wherever it led her, it was going to be an adventure. Not just over the next fortnight, but for the rest of her life.

She couldn’t wait.