Page 52 of Moonlight Kisses at Willow Tree Hall

‘Hold off the search parties,’ said Sam, who had stood up as if to check. ‘He’s coming back across the garden.’

Lily glanced up to where Arthur was making a somewhat unsteady path towards the patio.

‘Where have you been, dear?’ shouted Rose, making everyone jump.

Arthur looked up and smiled vaguely. ‘Just here and there,’ he told her, taking a somewhat slow journey up the steps to the patio.

‘Here, Grandad, sit down,’ said Sam, leaping up to pull out a chair.

‘Thank you, my boy,’ said Arthur, gratefully taking a seat at the head of the table.

‘Are you alright, my dear?’ asked Rose. ‘You look a little out of it.’

‘Probably too much sun,’ Arthur told her.

But he didn’t expand on that, merely smiling silently around the table at everyone.

Lily headed to the kitchen with the plate of cold meats, and when she came back Arthur had actually fallen asleep in his chair before eating anything.

The mood around the table had darkened somewhat since Arthur’s return.

Lily saw Sam and Will exchange a worried look.

‘He’s probably just tired,’ whispered Rose, but even she was frowning and looking concerned.

‘Maybe,’ said Mick in a low voice, a frown creasing his forehead. ‘But that’s how the dementia started with my dear old mum.’

‘Is there a history of it in the family?’ whispered Alex.

Rose shook her head. ‘Oh, no. The Harris family have all been very strong mentally.’ She looked a little teary.

‘Don’t you worry yourself, darling,’ rasped Mick, giving her a squeeze around the shoulders before pouring her out a large glass of the limoncello cocktail. ‘Arthur will be just fine.’

‘The other day he couldn’t remember having had lunch.’ Rose looked upset. ‘Maybe it’s just the stress hanging over us all at the moment.’

‘I’m sure that’s all it is,’ said Alex, patting her hand.

But the clouds that had gathered slowly to cover up the beautiful sunset appeared to have clouded over the whole table as well.

As she walked back towards the kitchen, Lily was equally concerned. Arthur had been a steady presence throughout her life, especially after the car accident. The thought that he might be unable to carry on his duties was very upsetting.

She just hoped that perhaps the family were wrong with their diagnosis.

21

Jack had been surprised but pleased to receive a text from Sam inviting him to the summer fete at Willow Tree Hall.

Although Jack felt guilty about all the stress he had caused everyone, Sam had insisted that he should come along and that he was still a friend.

‘Anyway, we’ve pretty much forgotten about all that gossip,’ Sam had told him.

Out of work and with time on his hands, Jack had done nothing but worry ever since he quit his job.

Jack felt equally ashamed that Sam still considered him a friend when they hadn’t seen each other for so many years since school and considering the trouble he had brought to their door. But then again, what did he know about having friends? He didn’t need them and he certainly didn’t want any.

But the guilt of having laid so much trouble at the doorstep of the Harris family made him accept the offer.

Besides, it had been years since he had last been to the summer fete at Willow Tree Hall. His younger, cynical self had scoffed at what he remembered to be a twee setting and lame carnival-type atmosphere. But standing in the late afternoon sun near the main front door, he had to admit that he had been completely wrong in his expectations and memories.