‘As I’ve recently discovered, you’re never too old to fall in love,’ he said, coming to gently take her hands in his. ‘I must admit I never even thought about another woman after I lost my wife. Until I met you, that is. And what’s wrong with wanting to spend our twilight years together? We get on well, don’t we? And I’d love to see you back here in Treetops where you belong.’

‘Oh, John, I’m flattered,’ Sunday told him when she finally managed to find her voice again. ‘And yes, we do get on … very well. But the thing is … I loved my husband dearly and …’

As her voice faltered, he held his hand up. ‘Please, you don’t have to give me an answer right now. But will you just agree to give it some thought? I know that wasn’t the most romantic of proposals. I’m afraid I’m a bit rusty at this sort of thing, but I think we would do very well together.’

She nodded, still numb with shock. ‘Very well, I will think about it. Just give me a little time.’

‘As long as you need,’ he assured her, bending forward to kiss her cheek.

Sunday made a hasty retreat, her mind in a whirl. John’s proposal had taken her completely by surprise. Admittedly, Cissie had told her that she thought John had feelings for her, but she had never believed it for a minute, until now!

Cissie popped round to see her later that afternoon after finishing work at Treetops and seeing that Sunday was rather quiet and preoccupied, she asked, ‘Are you all right?’

Sunday chewed on her lip as she wondered whether she should tell her or not, but she and Cissie had never had secrets from each other so haltingly she told her of John’s proposal.

‘Didn’t I tell you he had feelings for you?’ Cissie crowed delightedly. ‘John is such a lovely man and just think, you’d be the mistress at Treetops again!’

In that moment Sunday made her decision. ‘Yes, you’re quite right I would,’ she agreed. ‘But the trouble is Tom wouldn’t be the master there. I still love him, Cissie, and as much as I care for John as a dear friend, he could never take Tom’s place – no one could. So, I’m afraid I’m going to have to tell him that the answer is no.’

Cissie sighed but she understood. She knew how much Sunday and Tom had meant to each other. It’s a shame, though, she thought. She would have loved to see Sunday back in what she considered was her rightful place.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Giles returned from his outing late in the afternoon and he strode through the kitchen without acknowledging anyone, his expression stern.