Page 91 of Moonlight Kisses at Willow Tree Hall

‘You need to let people in if you want to be passionate,’ he said.

‘You don’t let anyone get close to you.’

‘I let you in,’ he said in a husky deep tone.

‘Once,’ she added quickly. ‘And you’ve lived a closed life ever since. Where are your friends? What about your parents? Where are the people in your life?’

‘I have people,’ he said, stiffly.

‘You’ve closed yourself off because you’re afraid, buster,’ she told him.

‘No, I’m not.’ But he folded his arms across his chest in a defensive manner. ‘Anyway, your people are just Cranley people. You haven’t spread your wings at all.’

‘I’ve lived in London, haven’t I? Anyway, what about that motorbike you were going on about. I’ve never seen you on it. Is it kept in a garage and never used?’

He looked sheepish for a second before his face broke into a grin. ‘Yeah, you got me there, I suppose.’

Lily was just turning away, grateful to have got the upper hand for once, when he spoke again.

‘The lease company are finally collecting the company car tomorrow. And I’ve got the road tax sorted out now, so later on I’ll get the bike out and you can come out with me.’

She spun around, horrified. ‘Not on your life.’

‘You used to like it,’ he told her. ‘And it will be my life in peril if your mother hears about it.’

‘I have to work,’ she said. ‘It’s the September market, remember?’

‘Then how about we do it on Sunday instead? And I thought the idea was to relax a bit. Doesn’t that include weekends?’

She had run out of excuses, so all she could do was give him a nonchalant shrug of her shoulders.

‘What time?’ she asked.

‘Be at the front of the house at 11 a.m.,’ he told her, smiling.

She gave him a nod and turned to walk away, wondering what she was more frightened of: being on the back of Jack’s motorbike or the way that he made her feel whenever he was close.

36

The morning of the September market dawned bright and sunny. But it was perhaps just a little chillier, thought Lily, pulling her sweatshirt around her as she walked towards the stable block.

Despite the early hour, the normally quiet courtyard was bustling with people. Trestle tables were covered with piles of goodies to be bought. Money was being counted. Everyone was getting ready for a busy day ahead.

Lily wandered past one stall that was piled high with jars of homemade apple chutney. The next had beautiful cushions and tablecloths, which had been made by Eleanor’s mother. Eleanor had set up a couple of tables in front of her workshop and was piling up tubs of creams and potions.

Skye had also flung open the doors to her workshop and was arranging various jars and vases that had been delicately decorated with metallic paints.

The other stalls were selling everything from candles to homemade biscuits. Lauren was also manning a stall where she had once more baked delicious cakes of all flavours.

In the last couple of days, Lauren had come out of her shell and had even managed not to break anything valuable. In the afternoons, everyone had been lured to the kitchen as the smell of home-baking had wafted through the house.

Skye waved. ‘Morning!’ she shouted out. ‘Will’s manning the entrance to make sure everyone heads this way instead of into the main house.’

Lily nodded. ‘I saw him already. Can I do anything to help?’

‘I think we’re all set.’

‘We just need the customers!’ said Eleanor, glancing at her watch.