Page 82 of Moonlight Kisses at Willow Tree Hall

Expecting histrionics, she was somewhat relieved when her mother merely nodded thoughtfully and said, ‘Come on through. The kettle’s just boiled.’

She went into the kitchen and watched as her dad’s face lit up to see her. ‘Hello, love,’ he said, beaming as she gave him a kiss on the cheek. ‘Should I have tried to win a homebrew kit instead of this stationery?’

He pointed at the pile of notebooks and pencils on the kitchen table.

‘Maybe,’ said Lily, trying to fill her voice with enthusiasm.

‘I’m going to donate them to the infant school,’ he carried on. ‘They’re always desperate for supplies.’

Her mother sighed. ‘And what about us? What about all the things we’re desperate for?’

Lily gulped. This was a bad start to the conversation and she hadn’t even told them about losing her job yet.

‘I didn’t think we needed any more things cluttering up the house,’ said her dad.

‘But maybe we could have sold them?’ replied her mother.

Her dad laughed. ‘How much money do you think this lot will bring us in?’

Celia sighed heavily as she sat down at the table. ‘I don’t know. I’m too tired to think any more. I’m wrung out with worry.’

‘About what?’ asked Lily.

Her mother looked at her. ‘Well, you and your grandfather for a start.’

‘We’re fine,’ said Lily. ‘Or at least I am. Is Grandad OK?’

‘Coughing well, but other than that he’s just tired.’

Lily nodded. ‘Good.’

‘I’m still getting endless phone calls from everyone about Jack,’ said her mother. ‘So brave. Such a turnaround in character.’

‘Did I hear that he’s working up at the Hall?’ asked her dad.

‘He’s helping Will renovate one of the barns,’ Lily told him.

‘And don’t you have work to do today?’ asked her mother.

‘Not any more. I think I’ve lost another job.’

Her parents exchanged a look of dismay. ‘What do you mean?’ said Celia, stunned. ‘Whatever happened?’

‘I was too pushy, apparently,’ Lily told them. ‘I was so wrapped up in my lists that I didn’t realise that I might be upsetting a few people.’

Her mother was frowning. ‘But who told you this? Isn’t Annie still in hospital?’

Lily shook her head. ‘No, she’s home and fine. Resting. But we had a disagreement over something before she needed to go into hospital. It’s all my fault.’ She sighed. ‘It doesn’t matter. I didn’t deserve the job, anyway.’

‘Why would you say that?’ asked her dad.

‘Because it’s true.’ Lily fiddled with the salt and pepper pots on the table. ‘I don’t deserve anything because of what I did when I was younger.’ The tears made her words sound thick and blurred. ‘For all the trouble I caused. You know, when I was at school.’

‘That was just teenage hormones,’ said Celia. ‘No, we didn’t want you to get into trouble but we knew you were a good girl and would grow out of it.’

‘But I made such a mess of things,’ muttered Lily. ‘And then I caused the accident.’

Her parents took in a deep breath as one.