‘Hey, you’re good!’ Megan laughed, making Emily beam up with pleasure.
Christie couldn’t help but admire Megan and the way she was handling Emily.
Next they visited the chapel. ‘This is where Tobias and I got married,’ Megan told them, ‘and where Edward was christened.’
Emily turned to her. ‘Where is Edward?’
‘He’s with his daddy – they’ll be joining us in the dining hall.’
‘Where’s that?’
‘Come, I’ll show you.’
All four of them went back downstairs, through the oak-panelled passageway and into the dining hall. A long mahogany table ran down the centre of the room, with ten chairs seated each side. A silver candelabra burned brightly in the middle. A spectacular chandelier hung from the ceiling, its cut glass flickering light on the pale silk walls.
‘Is this where you eat?’ asked Emily in awe.
‘Sometimes – only on special occasions, like today.’ Megan smiled. Just then, in came Tobias holding Edward. Emily immediately ran to him.
‘Ooo… look, Daddy, a baby!’ she gushed.
Tobias laughed as Edward reached out to touch her.
‘Be careful, he likes pulling hair,’ he warned.
There was a slight knock on the door. ‘Dinner is served, Sir,’ Henry announced rather piously, making Emily giggle again. Daniel shot her a warning look.
Soon they were all sat round the huge table enjoying roast chicken with all the trimmings, followed by syrup pudding and custard. Emily lapped it up, all the time gazing at baby Edward in his high chair. They chatted easily, mainly about the renovation of Keeper’s Cottage and life in Treweham. Christie talked about her career in the hospitality industry, which particularly interested Megan. All in all it was a great success and had given Daniel and Emily a much-needed lift.
On their walk home back to The Templar, Daniel carried a now very sleepy Emily. Christie wrapped her arm round his back and nuzzled into his neck.
‘Hmm, that’s nice,’ he whispered.
Christie couldn’t remember feeling so happy and content. But all that was about to change.
