Page 60 of Moonlight Kisses at Willow Tree Hall

‘I don’t suppose you’d consider having a look at the barn with me in the morning?’ said Will. ‘I could do with a quote for getting electricity hooked up to it.’

‘Of course,’ said Jack, surprised. ‘What’s it going to be used for?’

‘Wedding venue for future renting out,’ said Will.

‘Everyone wants to get married here after I designed Sam and Annie’s fabulous wedding,’ said Alex, with a flourish of his hand.

Will raised an eyebrow. ‘Excuse me, but I think you’ll find that my wife designed most of the wedding, if you’re going to steal her thunder.’

‘Of course, said Alex quickly, looking horrified. ‘You know I wouldn’t do that. I love Skye!’

Will nodded. ‘I know you do. Sorry, mate. Bit tired and everything. Think I’ll go and find my wife. Night, all.’

After Will had left, Alex gave a heavy sigh. ‘Everyone’s on edge, I guess.’

‘And you as well,’ said Mick. ‘You’re all tetchy and stressed.’

‘Stressed? I’m a bag of nerves,’ said Alex, holding out his hands. ‘Look at my nails. Bitten down to the quick and I never bite my nails.’

‘You’ve gotta chill out, man,’ Mick told him. ‘Be cool.’

‘I can’t,’ snapped Alex. ‘I feel, I don’t know, out of sorts. Useless.’ He gulped. ‘Life’s hard, you know. My love life is a train wreck and I deal with the worst kind of people at work, fussing over designer this and designer that.’ He paused. ‘But this place is my constant. If the Hall is here and safe, then no matter what else happens I’m OK. But now I don’t know. It’s got me all rattled, that’s all.’

Sitting next to him, Mick put down his glass and placed a hand around Alex’s shoulders. ‘Alright, mate,’ said Mick, softly. ‘Don’t get your skirts in a flap. It ain’t gonna happen.’

Alex sighed and leaned heavily on his friend for support before drawing himself up straight. ‘Of course you’re right,’ he said, sounding a bit more sure of himself. ‘And these must be strange days because I’ve certainly never said those words before, to you of all people. Now, why are you wearing your leather again when I got you in those lovely suits last year?’

Mick grinned. ‘I gotta feel like myself again. All that cotton and silk against the skin, it ain’t natural. Not good for the creative juices, you know?’

‘I don’t like to think about your juices, thank you very much,’ said Alex. But he was smiling as he said it. ‘And on that disgusting thought, I think I, too, shall go to the land of nod.’

‘I’ll head up as well,’ said Jack, and they bid the band goodnight.

‘I guarantee they’ll all fall asleep in their chairs and be found first thing in the morning in the same place,’ Alex told him as they began to head upstairs.

‘They seem nice enough,’ said Jack.

‘They are,’ said Alex. ‘But don’t tell them I told you so.’ He stopped suddenly and turned to face Jack. ‘I know you think I’m a ridiculous creature. Most people think so.’

‘I don’t,’ Jack told him, truthfully. ‘I never did.’

‘Yeah. Thanks.’ Alex’s shoulders slumped. ‘And I’m grateful for that. Truly I am. I just worry for the future, that’s all. These people are my family and this feels like my home too.’

‘I get it,’ Jack told him. ‘I just haven’t ever felt like that about anywhere.’

‘Stay here long enough and you will,’ was Alex’s warning as they parted ways.

But Jack knew that would never happen. He trusted the Harris family but he still wouldn’t let them get too close.

He glanced at the stairs leading to the staff quarters as he turned towards the east wing corridor where his bedroom lay. The thought of Lily sleeping on the floor above him disturbed him for many reasons, all of which he was trying to ignore.

He thought that, once he had said goodbye to her all those years ago, it would be the end of their story.

He had been determined in his decision and had moved on. He had decided to leave her behind when he went to Europe. He had dumped her and, yes, given her a broken heart. It had hurt him to do so, but she was really better off without him.

At least, that’s what he had told himself at the time.

The trouble was that no single woman had ever come close to making him feel the way he had with Lily.