Chapter One
Summer was now in full swing in the small town of Plumpton Mallet, and Lillian Tweed was busying herself at her Tea Emporium with a sudden though very welcome intrusion of a town tour group. Usually when the coach holiday company brought day trippers through, it was a relatively small crowd containing only two or three people actively looking to purchase. Today, however, the group was full of Americans who all wanted an authentic British tea set and various selections of teas to take home from their European holiday, and it was an absolute madhouse.
Lilly and her shop assistant, a young college student named Stacey who also happened to be from the states, were doing their best to ensure each of the nearly thirty customers were being taken care of. From explaining the history of tea, to brewing numerous samples and explaining their health benefits. From demonstrating how to set the perfect tea table to acquainting them with the manufacturers and artists who designed and hand painted the china. Lilly was determined that each and every customer received the full experience and left her shop happy and full of additional knowledge. Earl Grey, former stray and now official shop cat, had bolted for the back room to hide from the crowd almost as soon as they'd made an appearance.
This exposure was something fairly new and Lilly was still getting used to it. Her business had been open for less than a year, but the coach company had only added her shop to the stopover in the past spring. So far, the groups had been small compared to what they were now getting during the summer months.
Several of these first-time customers wanted their orders shipped back home to the states while others were trying to choose something that would be a bit more durable and safer to take on board the aircraft. Lilly and Stacey did their best to help them pick out something for their specific needs and taste, since most of the group did not appear to be regular tea drinkers. It was more being able to return home and show off their quintessential British collectables, Lilly supposed, but if it was also about introducing a bit of additional knowledge and culture to the group as well as making a good sale in the process, she was more than happy to go the extra length.
A total of sixteen complete tea sets were purchased by the time the group was ready to move on, along with a number of collectable tea cups and saucers, six teapots and numerous sundry items such as the hand embroidered tablecloths and napkins. The tour guide, who had become a familiar face over the previous months, gave Lilly a thumbs up as he shuffled his group out of the door. He knew this had been the most profitable crowd to have come through so far. He was still grinning at Lilly and Stacey through the large front window as the last of his tour goers trickled out of the shop to catch up with him.
"Whoa," Stacey said, collapsing on one of the bar style stools that lined the front of the main counter. She looked dizzy and a bit shell-shocked from the whirlwind that had just gone through. The shop had occasional bursts of customers, but nothing like what they had just experienced. Usually it was half a dozen or so at a time and half would be merely browsers.
"You're telling me," Lilly said, laughing and taking a seat herself. "I don't think the shop has ever had as many customers at the same time. All requiring attention considering they had very little knowledge about teas and teapots. You did a brilliant job of keeping your head and not getting flustered or overwhelmed. Well done, Stacey."
"After that, I see what you mean by my fellow countryman's abrasive personality," Stacey said, laughing at herself as much as the recent customers. "I've got so used to dealing with the locals, I'd almost forgotten how loud we Americans can be. Gosh, am I really that loud, Lilly?"
Lilly laughed. "I've never once said you're abrasive. And no, you're not that bad, Stacey."
"I feel like you wanted to add anymore to the end of that sentence."
Lilly chose to remain quiet, neither confirming nor denying Stacey's statement. It was true when Lilly had first met the young woman, she had nearly burst her ear drum with her constant peppy chatter. Stacey had marched into the shop almost demanding a job, partly for the same reason the American crowd had just bought half her merchandise, hoping for a truly British experience. But also to help with her college education and rent. Since then, though, Stacey had become as much of a tea drinker as the average Plumpton Mallet resident. Not to mention exceptionally knowledgeable about the teas. She was a godsend to Lilly and her business. And now that she was living in the flat above the shop for a much reduced cost, she was also on hand whenever Lilly needed her.
"After a crowd like that, I admit to having second thoughts about whether I should go tomorrow," Lilly said, thinking of a celebration she'd been invited to. She'd been hesitant all week about leaving the shop for the weekend trip and after the crowd they'd just dealt with, her hesitancy had only grown. It was summer, and the number of customers would only increase.
"Lilly, come on," Stacey groaned, clearly having grown a bit fed up of the agonising back-and-forth Lilly had been experiencing all week. "You've been talking about how much you're looking forward to seeing your friends Robert and Joanne for almost a month now. Don't you go getting cold feet just because we had one day that was a little busier than usual. I seriously doubt we'd get another crowd in like that while you're away for just a few days, and even if we did, I could totally handle it."
Lilly smiled at her young assistant. It was true she was very much looking forward to the visit. "I know," she said. "And I also know you're more than capable of dealing with whatever is thrown at you. That crowd was just a lot to handle, that's all."
Earl Grey came meandering out of the back room, obviously having sensed the large crowd had finally dispersed. He effortlessly jumped up onto the main counter where they were both sitting, enjoying a well-earned cup of tea. It was the remains of one of the sample pots brewed for the tourists, and neither one wanted to see it go to waste.
"And besides," Stacey continued, reaching out and scratching Earl behind his damaged ear, his favourite spot, "Earl Grey will be here to help me hold down the fort. Won't you, buddy?"
Lilly laughed and rolled her eyes. "Oh, well, that completely puts my mind at rest. I appreciate you being so willing to look after the shop and Earl during my absence. Though I don't know how much help he'll be if he runs away and hides, like he did today. It will be really nice to see Robert and Joanne again; it's been ages since we were together. I don't think I've seen them in person since their wedding, and that was five years ago. We've just talked on the phone or sent the occasional email or card for birthdays and Christmas. They haven't managed to get back to Plumpton Mallet since they got married and I know I haven't been anywhere."
"Wow, five years is a really long time without a break, Lilly. You can't work all the time, it's not good for you," Stacey said. "So, how do you know these people exactly?"
"It was from my Agony Aunt days," she replied, giving their cups a refill.
Prior to opening her shop, Lilly had been the advice columnist for the Plumpton Mallet Gazette. The paper had been taken over by a larger concern and as they already had an Agony Aunt on staff, she was made redundant. Her redundancy money made up part of what she had used to open her business. She'd written a lot of advice columns in the days leading up to the takeover.
"Oh? Did they work at the paper as well?"
"No, actually, Robert wrote a letter in to the paper," Lilly explained, thinking back to the occasion with fondness. "It was anonymous, which is par for the course with an advice column, so obviously I didn't know who had written it at first. He needed some advice about a woman he was interested in, a divorcee, because he'd been out of the dating game for so long. He was a widower and a single father. He didn't know the best way to approach it without making a mess of things, or appearing too keen and desperate, so I helped him. A few months later, they both turned up at the paper to thank me and show off the engagement ring. We've been friends ever since. I was invited to their wedding which was beautiful, they have great taste. I think that's the last time I saw them face to face, though. I got to know them both well during their engagement period and ended up helping with some of the wedding preparations."
"That's so sweet, and so romantic. It was you that got them together," Stacey said approvingly. Earl had now moved from the counter to her lap, and she was continuing to stroke his back while they chatted above the audible purring.
Lilly nodded, smiling. "That's what they both say, although I'm sure Robert would have worked it out on his own eventually. Now they have a bed-and-breakfast on the coast down south and are celebrating their five year wedding anniversary. It's a family occasion, so I was a bit surprised to get an invitation, although I think Joanne wants some help with the planning and decoration, and my teas."
"No surprise, as far as I'm concerned. They probably think of you as family. Besides, you do make a great cup of tea."
***
The bell above the shop door chimed, so Stacey stood up and Earl hopped down to the floor, giving a languorous stretch of each individual leg before making his way to his favourite spot in the window, where he curled up and went to sleep. Lilly turned and smiled.
"Archie," she said, happy to see her old friend Archie Brown paying a visit.
"Good afternoon, ladies," he said, tipping his old-fashioned hat. "I understand my teacup is ready?"
"It is indeed," Lilly said. She was particularly proud of this repair. It had been in a sorry state when Archie had first brought it to her and had taken much longer than she'd expected due to its delicate nature. "Stacey, would you bring it through?"
"Sure will," she said, disappearing into the back room while Lilly stepped back behind the counter and Archie took the bar stool she had just vacated.
"So, how have you been, Archie?"
"A lot better, actually. Ever since Douglas had a personality transplant and started calming down. She must have visited Stepford recently."
Lilly laughed. Abigail Douglas was the new Agony Aunt at the paper and had been banging heads with Archie since day one. Archie was the senior crime reporter at the gazette, a position Abigail had set her sights on once she realised her column was all but dead, and was quite vocal about how much he missed Lilly at work, particularly considering the type of personality who'd taken over her job.
"You two are getting on better, then?"
"As well as can be expected, I suppose," he said. "She even asked me to pass on her regards to you. Can you believe that? I suppose she's having to adjust her attitude considering the results from your last case."
"Case? Good grief, Archie, you're making me sound like detective."
"You're two for two, my friend," Archie responded, referring to the hot water she'd managed to get herself into over the previous few months. On two separate occasions Lilly had managed to solve a local murder and earned herself a bit of fame in the process. The gazette had even done a couple of stories about her, deeming it front-page headline news both times. The first article had been co-written by Archie and Abigail, on the second Archie had taken the reins himself, which was how it should be. Lilly had enjoyed being interviewed by her old friend, especially as the articles had meant a spotlight had been shone on her business to positive effect.
"She's not still upset about my Agony Aunt letterbox, is she?" Lilly asked, referring to the one she had had fitted at the shop for people to continue to drop off advice requests. It hadn't been intentional to continue giving personal guidance once she'd left the paper, but people had reverted to contacting her at the shop, much to Abigail's chagrin. She'd feared the paper would nix her column completely if people didn't start writing in, causing her to lose her job. It was a fear Lilly admitted had some merit. But she couldn't stop people writing to her, nor could she ignore their requests for help.
"She hasn't mentioned it in a while, actually," Archie said. "So we'll see. I'm hoping she'll continue on this pleasant path at work. She's starting to get along with several other members of staff now she's stopped harassing and bad-mouthing you. You're still popular among the staff at the paper so her antagonism toward you wasn't doing her any favours. Quite the opposite, in fact. At least she's seen reason now, thank goodness."
Stacey arrived back, holding a small box that she gingerly placed on the counter between Lilly and Archie. Lilly grinned and opened the package, carefully lifting out the contents, and placed it before Archie for him to examine.
"So, what do you think?" Lilly asked, as he picked up the teacup with a grin as big as the one Lilly was wearing.
"Absolutely incredible," he said. "I'd just about destroyed this poor cup. I honestly didn't think you'd be able to repair it at all, Lilly. Now look at it. It's like magic. You can't even see where it was damaged. I have no idea how you managed to do it, but I really am very impressed, my friend. The real question is whether it will do its job. Will it hold my tea?"
Lilly smiled. "Only one way to find out, Archie. Let's test it. I have some mint tea already brewed, how about that?"
"Perfect, I love mint tea. Do the honours, would you?" He said, placing the cup on its saucer and sliding it towards Lilly.
She swilled it out, and then poured the tea. As she expected, and much to Archie's delight, it worked perfectly. For much of the afternoon, in between spells of serving customers and taking in deliveries, the three of them laughed and swapped stories before Archie realised how much time he'd let sneak by. He once again thanked her profusely for the repair as he departed, and before Lilly knew it, the day was over.
It felt very strange leaving Earl behind with Stacey, who lived in the flat above the shop, but she had to go home and pack ready for her early morning start. She had a long day of driving ahead of her tomorrow. She rode her bicycle home to her little cottage on the outskirts of town and realised how much she was looking forward to a rest and a fun weekend with her friends.
Unfortunately, the celebrations wouldn't go according to plan and if she'd known what was about to happen, she would never have gone.
Chapter Two
Almost six hours after she had set off from home, Lilly finally joined the winding back road that would lead her to the bed-and-breakfast. She'd never had the opportunity to visit before, but Joanne had sent her pictures, and she thought she had a rough idea of what the place was going to look like. However, nothing had prepared her for the extravagance of the building and its striking setting. The photos really hadn't done it justice.
The bed-and-breakfast was located on England's southern coast, perched on a coastal cliff with a panoramic view of the sea. As she stepped out of the car, stretching her back to get the kinks out after the long drive, she could taste the tang of salt in the air and smell the warm sand and the kelp. The balmy weather was perfect and she could already envisage daily trips down the private steps to visit the beach below the cliff.
"Wow," Lilly breathed softly, trying to take it all in.
She glanced back the way she had come. The long drive was as picturesque as all the other parts of the property she could see from where she stood. Numerous trees, probably older than she was, grew majestically alongside a smaller, more recently planted orchard, filled with apple trees and other assorted specimens she couldn't name. The more formal gardens, which she could see from where she had parked, were accessed via an ornate white archway leading to a little path flanked by large, colourfully flowering shrubs. Rhododendron and Hydrangea she thought. As well as several Palm trees which gave the bed-and-breakfast its name.
The property itself was of a moderate size. Her friends had told her it hosted ten separate guest suites along with a private lounge and bedrooms for the owners, and smaller suites for the live-in staff. It was an older house built in the late eighteen hundreds in a timeless Art Deco style and painted an opaque white. It looked incredible against the deep blue of the summer sky. It almost glows, Lilly thought as her friend came rushing down the steps, arms outstretched, to welcome her.
"Lilly!" she exclaimed, her long sun dress flowed behind her as she ran, and a sneaky breeze nearly whipped the large beach hat from her head.
She looks incredible, Lilly thought. The last five years had obviously been good to her friend.
"Joanne, gosh it seems like forever since I last saw you."
Joanne threw her arms round Lilly in dramatic fashion, laughing like a school girl.
"Lilly, I am so glad you're here. Thank you for coming, it's going to be great to catch up this weekend. And you must tell me all about your tea shop."
"Try to stop me," Lilly said with a smile. "This place is absolutely amazing, Joanne. You and Robert must have worked so hard to get it looking this beautiful. The pictures you sent must have been when you first took over?"
"Yes, we've painted the whole place inside and out since then, as you can see," she said with a broad sweep of her arm. "It gave the place a much needed face lift. Come on, let me help you with your bags and get you settled in your room, then I'll give you the grand tour. So, how was the drive?"
"Long. Six hours," Lilly said with a slight groan. "Although I did stop for lunch."
"You really should have caught the train, you know. Robert would have picked you up at the station. You could have been here two hours ago."
"I know, but I had too much luggage. I've brought a full tea set with me. One of my best."
"You didn't have to do that," Joanne exclaimed. "We've got perfectly good sets here. I just wanted you to bring along some of your speciality teas. We have nothing like your shop down here."
"Well, I did that too, but the set is an anniversary present for you both," Lilly explained, opening the boot of her car.
"Lilly, that's so kind of you. You really didn't need to bring us anything; you're already coming early to help us get ready for the party."
"I wouldn't dream of coming empty handed, Joanne. Besides, I wanted to get you something special."
Lilly pulled her suitcase out.
"Here, let me get that," Joanne insisted, taking the case from Lilly's hand. "Now, let me show you to your room."
***
They entered the bed-and-breakfast through the main front door, and Lilly gazed up at the crystal chandelier that was causing a dazzling light display, thanks to the influx of sunlight from one of the higher windows.
"That's absolutely stunning," Lilly said. "It's like being in the foyer of a fabulous cruise ship from a hundred years ago."
"I know, I love it. Although it's a bit of a dust gatherer. We have to clean each individual glass droplet every six months, otherwise it loses its shine. It's worth it though."
A woman in a beige calf length shirt dress and matching espadrilles came hurrying to the door when she heard it open.
"Welcome to The Palms," she said in a soft and quite sultry voice.
"Natalie," Joanne said. "This is my very good friend Lilly Tweed. She's going to be staying with us for a few days and has generously offered to help with the party. Lilly, this is Miss Natalie Sampson, our housekeeper. And a very good one at that."
Natalie put out her hand. "Nice to meet you, Lilly. Joanne has been telling me about your shop. You're the person to go to when it comes to tea, apparently. We provide Tiffin for the guests every afternoon at three o'clock, so I would love to pick your brains at some point, if I may?"
"A pleasure to meet you, too. And yes, of course, I'd be happy to help," Lilly said.
Miss Sampson escorted both ladies upstairs and along the hall to one of the suites. Lilly was delighted to find her room had a glorious view of the sea and the private beach.
"Oh, this is absolutely beautiful. What a gorgeous place to live," she said, gazing out of the window as Natalie Sampson carefully placed Lilly's bag by the door.
"I'll just go and get you your room key," Natalie said before disappearing.
"I don't know what I'd do without Natalie," Joanne said to Lilly. "She runs the place like clockwork."
"So, where's Robert?" Lilly asked gazing around the beautiful room she'd been given. It was a timeless luxury in an Art Deco style, with much of the features obviously original. An antique double bed with matching wardrobe and dressing table were the main pieces of furniture. But in the bay window sat an occasional table with two club chairs in teal velvet. She was really going to enjoy staying here.
"He and Chloe went to have a father daughter early dinner in town," Joanne replied, already half way out of the door, eager to show Lilly around the place.
"Gosh, I haven't seen Chloe since your wedding. How old is she now?"
Lilly had never got to know Chloe very well. She'd been quite young and very shy when she'd first met Robert.
"Sixteen. Can you believe it? And let me tell you, she has really come out of her shell."
"I bet you had a lot to do with that. How do you like being a step mum?"
"I honestly love it, Lilly. Admittedly Chloe makes it very easy, she's such a sweetheart."
Lilly smiled as she followed Joanne down the hallway, where her host showed off a number of the rooms, each with their own unique and stunning design. She opened up the final door leading to one of the larger guest suites and almost crashed into a young man.
"Oh," she yelped.
"Sorry, Aunt Joanne," he said. "I was just putting new sheets on the bed."
"No, that was completely my fault, Dominic. I should have knocked before charging in like a bull. Lilly, this is my nephew Dominic; he works with us, too."
"Looks like it's a family affair around here," Lilly said. "Nice to meet you, Dominic. Do you like working at The Palms?"
"Absolutely," he said with a pleasant smile.
Dominic was quite young, in his mid-twenties, Lilly thought, but she got the impression he was a dedicated employee and more mature and serious than a lot of his contemporaries.
"How long have you worked here?"
"A couple of years now. My brother Edward and me got summer jobs after we'd finished school, but I stuck it out a little longer than him. You'll get to meet him, though. He and mum are coming to help Aunt Joanne and Robert celebrate their anniversary. We're all really happy for them; he's a really nice guy. You're the one he wrote to asking for dating advice, is that right?"
Lilly laughed. "Yes, that's me. But how on earth did you know?"
"Are you kidding? Aunt Joanne's been staring out of the window for the past hour waiting for you to arrive," he said, earning him a playful thump on the arm from his aunt. "Hey, I'm just saying you're really excited to have your friend here. She showed me the articles about you in the Plumpton Mallet Gazette."
"Really? Wait, surely you don't get the gazette all the way out here? Their circulation isn't that big, unless it's changed a lot since I left."
Joanne shook her head. "No, we have a subscription. They send it on to us by post. Plumpton Mallet is our home town, so it's lovely catching up and seeing what everyone is up to. Especially when it's one of my closest friends. Besides, we have a bit of a soft spot for the paper because it was your agony aunt column and advice that brought us together."
"Oh, by the way, Aunt Joanne, did Natalie tell you about the little mishap?"
Joanne raised an eyebrow. "What mishap?"
Dominic sighed. "I don't know whose error it was, but one of the rooms has been booked for a guest this weekend."
"What? Oh, no. I thought we blocked this weekend off for friends and family with no overnight guests apart from Lilly so we could have the party?"
"I'm sorry. I don't know how it happened, but the guy is already here. I showed him to a guest room. I wasn't sure what to do, but I didn't think it was right to turn him away, considering he'd booked and paid for the weekend. Especially since he'd travelled all the way here. We had the room available, and it is just one guy. I don't mind looking after him."
Joanne didn't look too happy about this turn of events, but she sighed and shrugged, resigned to the fact there was nothing she could do.
"It's fine, Dominic. You did the right thing. I would be furious if I'd shown up at a bed-and-breakfast I'd booked and paid for in good faith, only to be turned away because the owners were having a party. You're right, it is only one guest, but I was hoping we'd be able to have a relaxed weekend without any work."
"Actually," Dominic said. "I did tell him what was going on and he said he wasn't expecting anyone to be at his beck and call. He just wanted to enjoy the private beach. He seems pretty low maintenance."
"That doesn't sound too bad," Lilly said. "You have a whole compliment of staff and only one guest. It could be worse. Especially if he's being so understanding about the mix up."
"Yes, you're right. And there are certainly enough people to help him so Robert and I can enjoy our celebration. Come on, let's continue the tour, then I'll mix us a gin and tonic."
Lilly followed Joanne downstairs while Dominic continued his duties.
***
Natalie Sampson met them at the base of the stairs and gave Lilly her room key, saying she was looking forward to learning more about tea over the weekend. She then disappeared to help Dominic with the room preparations. Even though they weren't to be used over the weekend, as soon as the festivities were over The Palms was booked solid throughout the whole of the summer and well into the autumn, Joanne told Lilly. Preparing it all now meant everyone would be able to take some much needed time off.
Lilly and Joanne made their way to the dining room, where she met the elderly cook, Morris.
"And who is the gorgeous young lady?" he said by way of a greeting, which included quite a naughty wink.
Lilly laughed. "It's nice to meet you, Morris," she said, shaking the old man's hand.
"You too, my dear," he chuckled, as he continued to clean and polish the large oak dining table. "Joanne, have you heard from your husband about Jack? Is he coming this weekend?"
Joanne nodded. "Yes, he is coming, Morris, but I don't want you to get your hopes up too much."
"Who's Jack?" Lilly asked curiously.
"Robert's father," Joanne said. "He and Morris served together in the army." She smiled affectionately at the old cook.
"So, Jack has lost some more marbles then?"
"Morris!" Joanne exclaimed. "That's no way to talk about your old friend."
"Nonsense, Joanne. That's exactly what Jack would have said if the roles were reversed and I had Alzheimer's. You know I love that man like a brother and would do anything for him. Besides, you can't take life too seriously when you get to our age."
"You always seem to bring Jack out of his trances when you're together, Morris. I hope you manage it this weekend. I know it would make Robert happy if he could see a bit of the father he remembers shining through."
"Challenge accepted," he said before giving both women a salute, collecting his cleaning supplies, and disappearing into the kitchen.
"He seems like a fun person to have around," Lilly said. "I'm sorry to hear about Robert's father. Is it serious?"
"I'm afraid so. His moments of lucidity are very rare now. I don't think he's going to be with us for much longer," Joanne admitted. "But he did tell Robert he was looking forward to coming here this weekend, which is a lot more conversation than we usually get from him. Robert obviously caught him on a good day. Now, let's see, you haven't seen the gardens yet. You need to meet Walter. He's our gardener, handyman, and can turn his attention to most things. Which is a godsend when things break for no apparent reason. You'll like him. I think he's outside. Come on …"
Joanne took Lilly out of a side entrance which led straight to the formal flower gardens where guests had Tiffin each afternoon. It went right up to the edge of the cliff, a white picket fence being the only thing separating them from the sheer drop to the beach and sea below. In the midst of the garden were a number of tables with large umbrellas where they would be having the celebration over the course of the weekend. In one corner of the large oasis, she spied a man crouched over the dirt, putting in some colourful Azaleas.
"Oh, Walter, these are going to look stunning when they've grown a bit," Joanne said, approaching the man who, upon hearing his name, stood up to greet them.
"I think so too. I'm sorry we lost the old ones over the winter. I wasn't expecting the ground frost we got. Killed the roots off." He then noticed Lilly and offered her a warm smile. "Walter," he said, introducing himself.
"Lillian. But everyone calls me Lilly."
"One of my favourite names," he said, putting a soil laden gloved hand to his chest in dramatic fashion. "It's the gardener in me; I can't resist a girl named after a flower." He pointed to the tall slender stems with vibrant purple, orange and yellow flowers adjacent to the fence. "Those are our lilies. They've been strong this season and have lasted long past their normal blooming time. They're positively glowing this year, so you're getting a special treat."
"They are very beautiful," Lilly said. "Especially against the white of the fence."
"Joanne? Where are you?" a familiar voice called.
"Oh, brilliant. Robert and Chloe are back." Joanne said excitedly, making her way round to the front of the house. Lilly followed after complimenting Walter on his handiwork in the garden.
As she walked, Lilly pulled out her phone, intending to send a text to Stacey.
"There's no mobile service out here, I'm afraid, Lilly," Robert said when he spotted her.
Lilly put the phone back in her pocket. "It's all right; I'll send an email later."
She took in the sight of Robert as she approached. He looked like he'd lost a bit of weight and grown his hair slightly since she'd last seen him. He was a family man at heart and it was clear the intervening years had been as kind to him as they had to Joanne. They both looked as though they were thriving at The Palms.
She smiled when she saw Joanne hurry to her husband and give him a fierce hug, as though they'd been apart for days rather than a few hours.
"It's so good to see you, Lilly," Robert said, giving her a brief hug, too. "I'm really glad you were able to come this weekend." He turned towards a young lady who was just getting out of the car. "Chloe, do you remember, Lilly?"
The teenage girl's eyes widened slightly. Then she grinned. "Yes, I think so," she replied, getting pulled into a hug by her father as she walked past.
"Let me tell you, Lilly," Robert said. "I feel as though I've been living in paradise these last few years, with my two favourite girls."
"Dad …" Chloe groaned, embarrassed. But Lilly could see she was fighting back a smile.
"Seriously, I don't know what my life would be like right now if I had written to you."
Lilly beamed. "I'm sure you would have worked it out, Robert. But I'm really happy to be here to celebrate with you. This place really does look like paradise."
The four of them made their way back inside, chatting about the plans for the upcoming party.