Page 35 of Moonlight Kisses at Willow Tree Hall

Lauren was still gazing over Lily’s shoulder. ‘Is it haunted?’ she whispered.

Lily shook her head. ‘No. Definitely not.’

She wasn’t sure if Lauren was relieved or dismayed to hear this.

‘Let me show you around,’ said Lily. ‘Normally you’ll come in through the back door around here. Staff don’t go through the front door.’

Lauren nodded, remaining mute for now.

They went around the side of the house and through the back door, finding the kitchen empty for once.

‘I’ve got a list for you to refer to, which will probably help you work out what needs doing where.’ Perhaps that would help, she thought. Then Lauren would know what she had to do and Lily could check what might be missed.

But the girl had such a vacant look that Lily wasn’t sure any of it was going in.

She brought out the list that she had written up the previous evening at home. She handed it over to Lauren, who stared over in goggle-eyed amazement at the writing on both sides of the paper.

‘It looks worse than it is,’ said Lily, trying to cheer up the girl. ‘Have you ever cleaned anywhere before?’

Lauren shook her head.

‘Well, not to worry,’ Lily told her. ‘It’s quite simple. You see, I’ve broken it down room by room. So, here’s the kitchen.’ She pointed at the heading halfway down the paper. ‘So, the to-do list for in here will be to wipe all cupboard doors and handles, sweep and clean the floor, disinfect all the worktops – including the table over there – sweep the fireplace, clean the windows and, where necessary, dispose of the rubbish and polish the silverware.’

She looked up from the paper, but found Lauren was too busy staring at Tom who had just come down the stairs to grab a banana from the kitchen.

‘Hiya,’ he said, with a nod and a smile before disappearing out of sight.

Lily turned to face Lauren, who was still gaping at the empty doorway.

‘That was Tommy King’ she stammered, her voice trailing away.

‘Yes, it was,’ said Lily, nodding. ‘But we expect discretion at all times. Whatever you see and hear in the Hall must remain within these four walls. You understand?’

Lauren was still staring at the doorway, a small smile playing at her lips. ‘Is he single?’

‘No, he’s not,’ replied Lily, in a firm tone, trying to discourage this line of questioning. ‘But it doesn’t matter, does it? Because you’re here to work.’

Lauren nodded, in a dazed manner.

Lily frowned to herself. She wasn’t sure if this new member of staff was going to be a help or hindrance. But they’d both been thrown in at the deep end in their respective jobs. Perhaps they could find their feet together?

Lily was just hoping it would work out alright. It had to. She needed this job too badly.

14

Jack was hunched over his desk, trying and failing to concentrate on the file in front of him, which included the designs for converting an old country manor house in Scotland into a contemporary spa.

‘Have you got a moment?’ said his secretary, knocking at the door to his office. ‘The boss wants a word.’

Jack abandoned his desk and went into Eric’s office.

‘Take a seat,’ said Eric, leaning back in his chair.

Jack sat down on the opposite side of the enormous glass desk.

‘Have you fixed a date to head up to Scotland yet?’ asked Eric.

‘I was just working on it,’ lied Jack.