Moonlight Kisses at Willow Tree Hall by Alison Sherlock

Author:Alison Sherlock [Sherlock, Alison]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781786694959
Publisher: Head of Zeus

23

The fete had been a huge success. Jack found everyone was in very high spirits when they gathered outside on the patio later that evening.

‘We all done good,’ said Mick, sounding smug.

Jack nodded in agreement. Both Tom and the band had performed a great set.

But he had found himself distracted for the final hour of the show after his conversation with Lily. At least he’d finally managed to apologise to her for dumping her on the night of the prom. He had always felt so bad about that.

Weary after the long day, most of the family had headed up to bed, leaving just Jack, Sam, Will, Alex and the band having one last nightcap on the terrace.

‘The local paper’s going to do a full-page spread as well,’ said Sam, with a proud look on his face.

‘That’s great,’ Alex told him. ‘But that’s only local press. You need to get the word out to the nationals.’

‘Can you forget about the bypass for one evening?’ moaned Sam.

‘I’ll try,’ said Alex, but nobody was convinced by his tone.

‘I always forget how beautiful it is here,’ said Mick, staring up at the night sky where an almost full moon had just appeared from behind the trees.

Will nodded and yawned. ‘It sure is. I’d be watching the meteor shower later if I thought I’d last until midnight.’

Sam nodded. ‘I’ll be lucky to make it to eleven o’clock.’

‘You youngsters are such lightweights,’ said Mick, shaking his head sadly. ‘When I was your age, I didn’t go to bed until the sun was up.’

Jack took a sip of the whiskey that Sam had poured him. ‘This is good,’ he said, appreciatively. ‘Is it grain-based?’

Sam nodded. ‘It is. It was a gift from an American guitarist. You know your whiskey, that’s for sure.’

Jack shrugged his shoulders. ‘I appreciate a fine vintage.’

‘It’s wasted on this lot,’ said Alex, gesturing at the band. ‘They’d drink diesel if it came in a glass with some ice.’

‘I’ll have you know, mate, that I own a vineyard,’ said Mick, before frowning as if in deep thought. ‘At least, I think I do. Somewhere in Australia.’

‘How do you not know whether or not you own a vineyard?’ asked Sam, shaking his head in disbelief.

‘My accountant said it was a good investment,’ said Mick. ‘And what do I know about stuff like that?’

‘Well, you know how to drink it,’ said Sam.

‘I’m not sure that’s the same as growing grapes,’ drawled Will.

‘I’m a whatsitsname… a silent partner,’ said Mick.

‘More like a comatose partner if you keep drinking all your own profits,’ said Alex. ‘Is it just us then tonight? Not even lovely Rose to keep us company?’

‘She was helping Grandad upstairs,’ said Will.

‘Grandad looked tired,’ said Sam, after a short silence.

‘It’s been a long day,’ Will told him quickly. ‘Nothing else.’

There was a short silence whilst Alex looked from brother to brother. ‘What’s going on? I’m sensing tension.’

‘We’re not sure about Grandad’s health,’ said Sam.

‘Rubbish!’ laughed Alex. ‘Arthur’s as fit as a fiddle.’

‘If you say so,’ said Will, sounding gloomy.

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