‘It’s the phase between the first quarter and the full moon.’
Ava paused looking at the moon, seeing the mix of light and shadows, and biting her lip to stop herself pointing out that she often imagined seeing a face looking back, even as an adult. ‘To me, the night sky has always been a thing of wonder. We are lucky living here, with so much countryside surrounding us. There’s hardly any light pollution. When I take Myrtle out on a cloudless night, I’m treated to an astronomical show—’
Gino opened his mouth as if to speak, but Ava continued.
‘—but I make up my own constellations, and when I see a shooting star, I make a wish. I am a romantic at heart.’
‘Have your wishes ever come true?’
Ava looked through the darkness in the direction of the lake. ‘Hmm. Up until recently I would have said no, but now . . . Well it feels more like a work in progress.’
‘So, you have something in common with the waxing gibbous moon, even though you didn’t know it.’
‘I do?’
‘Yes, it’s the phase when the moon is almost at its full potential, it is not there yet, but it works towards it . . . and thenperfezione!’
Ava giggled. ‘Perfezione?Really, did you make that up?’
‘No. It’s true. It’s all true. The waxing moon is thought to symbolise femininity — intuition, creativity and wisdom.’ Gino smiled. ‘So you see, you must seize your moment, Ava Flynn. Now is a good time to make your wishes come true.’
‘Really?’ Ava asked.
Gino stopped walking and gently held Ava’s arm.
She turned to face him, taking in the sight of him. The light from the moon was causing a slight glint in his sincere eyes.
‘Tonight was a success, wasn’t it? I will do the numbers, but it looked like a success to me, and it was your idea and your creativity that made it work. Now is your time, don’t you feel it? We are on the cuff of something new.’
‘Cusp.’ Ava laughed. ‘We are on the cusp of something new.’
‘Cuff, cusp, whatever, you need to seize your moment.’
Seize your moment.The cold night air had begun to nip at her nose and cheeks. Despite the bright moon, the adjacent woods were shrouded in darkness. All was silent but for the occasional rustle in the undergrowth, and the distant hoot from an owl. Ava thought about the last time she had been in the grounds of Dapplebury House, seeing Henry again, his words, and the fact she hadn’t been able to get him out of her thoughts since. She’d no idea if Gino was humouring her or not, but shewelcomed his words and their confidence-boosting gesture. She looked into his eyes.
‘Gino, you’re a sweetie, and I amabsobloominlutelygoing to appreciate you more.’ With that she leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. As she opened her eyes, she spotted movement in the night sky. ‘Look, quick a shooting star! Make a wish—’
‘But it’s a—’
‘Make a wish, please. Just think about the thing you want most.’
Gino looked to the sky, closed his eyes and then looked down at Ava. ‘There, I did it.’
‘And? What did you wish for?’ Ava looked at him, excitement in her eyes.
‘I’m pretty sure that’s not how wishes work.’
‘But that’s exactly how friends work.’ She laughed, taking his arm in hers as they continued to walk towards Critters’ Cottage.
Chapter Sixteen
Henry did up the buttons of his charcoal blazer, flexed his arms and pulled his shirt cuffs down to just below the line of his tailored sleeves. He rubbed his finger over his cuff links, engraved with the Bramlington family crest, and swallowed. It had been a long day; visiting each of the estate’s tenants was taking its toll. All were sympathetic about his father’s death and wanted to share their memories of the man they considered a friend.
Having been under the watchful gaze of his ancestors — immortalised in oil on canvas — as he had grown up, Henry dreaded and feared the responsibility of the expectations placed upon him by birth. Learning the extent to which his father had let the estate slip towards financial ruin, had, at first, felt a relief. From a distance of over five-thousand miles, the solution had seemed simple. Being home, his perspective had changed; seeing Ava and reconnecting with the estate meant the reality of all that was at stake had become starkly evident.
Henry decided that taking the flak for the forthcoming rent increases — intended as phase one of his newly established plan to save the estate — was preferable to marring the memory of the man so many, himself included, held in esteem. Aware he had run away and turned his back on his responsibilities when his father needed him, Henry had promised he would do all he could to reverse the fortunes of Dapplebury House and its estate. As he saw the peace his presence and words brought to his father’s final moments, Henry determined if his actions were too little, too late, he would be the one to go down in the tomes of history as the man who led the estate into ruin. He had been willing to do that when he had been foolish enough to hatch plans to sell, so why not now, for better reasons? Since being back, he had realised he was ready to take on the responsibilities that heshould have done long ago. The knowledge that had he stayed, he might have eased his father’s burden in his final years would always remain with him. Preserving his father’s memory was paramount. He owed him that.
While Henry hoped reflecting on the past and looking towards the future with those he had met, might lay the foundation for greater acceptance of the necessary rent increases soon to come, he was under no illusion that the people of Dapplebury would accept the reality quietly.
