Page 78 of Moonlight Kisses at Willow Tree Hall

‘What about me?’

‘Aren’t you doing the same, by not making a home anywhere; by just running all the time?’

He shuffled uncomfortably. ‘We’re not talking about me.’

‘I know, but you can’t lecture me until you do the same, can you?’

At that moment they were interrupted by Danny arriving with two plates of burgers, chips and salad.

‘Saved by the bell,’ Jack told her, with a grin.

She watched him for a moment longer before they enjoyed their delicious lunch.

The food made her feel better and would hopefully give her strength for the afternoon ahead. Well, at least the Harris family now knew that she wasn’t up to the job, she thought. She had failed on a massive scale.

‘The family must hate me,’ she blurted out.

‘Of course they don’t,’ he told her. ‘Nobody can hate you more than you appear to hate yourself, but we can try and work on that as well.’

‘We?’ She smiled gently.

‘Why not? It looks like I’m staying on as well for a little while to do some electrical work for the family. Maybe we can muddle through all this together.’

‘I’d like that,’ she said softly.

‘Me too.’

Pleased as she was to have Jack supporting her, she was suddenly overwhelmed with sadness that she was going to have to leave Willow Tree Hall behind. Worse, that she had lost Annie’s friendship, and probably Megan’s too. They were all so protective of Annie and rightly so. She didn’t deserve their friendship.

But she needed to be strong for a little while longer. She needed to go up to the Hall, collect her clothes, apologise, and then start again.

She had no idea what she was going to do in the future, but at least she couldn’t hurt anyone again.

31

After their lunch, Jack offered to drive Lily up to Willow Tree Hall.

On the journey there, he mulled over what she had told him earlier. Her guilt over the accident had left him reeling. Did she really feel that bad over something that had happened so long ago? He couldn’t believe it. Surely some of the guilt had to be his.

They parked up and Jack heard Lily take a deep breath before they pushed the back door open.

On heading through into the kitchen, they were both greeted with a chorus of cheers.

‘Our hero!’ cried Rose, striding forward to give him a hug. ‘I cannot believe what you’ve done for my old friend and our lovely Lily.’

Lily hovered nearby, looking embarrassed. Jack knew how she felt.

Arthur had also stepped forward to give him a vigorous shake of the hand. ‘You are to be congratulated,’ he said, in a teary voice. ‘Without your intervention, it would have been an absolute tragedy.’

‘You’re embarrassing the poor bloke,’ said Will, leaning in. ‘Give him some air, for God’s sake.’

But even he gave Jack a slap on the shoulder and whispered, ‘Well done, mate.’

Meanwhile, Lily was surrounded by the family asking about any injuries and Bert’s state of health.

‘He’s fine,’ she told them, a blush spreading across her cheeks. ‘Mum’s texted me to say she’s bringing him home. Is there any news about the baby?’

‘Annie’s upstairs, resting,’ Skye told her. ‘I think she and Sam are both asleep.’