Blame it on the Moonlight

by Emily Harvale

  The future was something she could think about much later.

  Her present was looking very bright and she was going to enjoy it.

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Luna was nervous. In spite of telling herself all day, every hour, on the hour, that she had no reason to be; because tonight was not a date with Logan, in the romantic sense. It made no difference. She paced the floor; sat down and got straight up again; went out and came back in; picked up a book and put it down. She couldn’t concentrate on anything. More than once, Mason had asked her what was wrong. Each time she had replied that there was nothing wrong. What could be wrong?

  At precisely eleven o’ clock, Jane had come for coffee, so she said. The truth was, she had come to tell them the news. And what glorious news it was. Although at first, Luna had thought it was all bad.

  ‘Have you heard the news?’ Jane asked, obviously knowing full well they hadn’t. ‘Jessie is buying Water’s Edge. Winnie and Arthur are moving. I have to say, they kept that quiet. I had no idea. But apparently neither had anyone else until last night. But you’ll never guess who will be moving in. You won’t, so I’ll tell you. Severine!’

  Luna had nearly dropped an entire cup of coffee over Jane’s lap but thankfully managed to steady her hand in time.

  ‘Severine is staying in Snowflake Cove?’ She hoped her voice didn’t sound as horrified as she felt.

  Jane nodded frantically. ‘Yes. Yes. Can you believe it? I know it’s true because I’ve just been at the inn for coffee with Jessie and she told me herself.’

  Mason smiled devilishly. ‘I’m surprised you’re happy with this news. I thought you couldn’t wait to see the back of Severine.’

  Jane gave him a look of reprimand. ‘I admit it’s no secret that I don’t like Severine very much. The woman has no morals. And I have to say, I’m not convinced she’ll change. But apparently, she says she wants to try. I only caught the gist of it because I happened to hear a conversation she was having with her sister. This was before I had coffee with Jessie. But Jessie said she didn’t know the ins and outs, just the result.’

  ‘And that is …?’ Mason asked.

  ‘Oh. Well, Jessie told me about the cottage, but I overheard Severine tell Evie that she had come to a decision. She is going to stay here and bring up both her children. Both, mind you. And that she is going to break off her engagement. Can you believe that?’

  Luna swallowed the lump in her throat. ‘Why?’

  Jane looked her in the eye. ‘Because she has decided she doesn’t love him enough to marry him. And that’s not all. She is going to tell Roggero that for now, she only wants to be friends with him. I’m not sure what that means. I wasn’t aware he had asked her to be anything else. But you know those two as well as I, and I’m sure it won’t be long before they’re carrying on with one another again.’

  ‘And Logan?’ Luna held her own cup steady.

  ‘Logan? Oh. You heard about that nonsense at the party. Well that’s all over and done with.’

  ‘Is he … upset?’

  ‘Of course he isn’t. I knew it was all just a silly mistake and that he would soon come to his senses. He’s a good boy. A lovely young man. He deserves someone far better than Severine Starr. And strictly between the three of us, I think he has his eye on someone else. He told his mother and me that he’ll be very late home tonight. And there was something in his manner that indicated it had nothing to do with work.’

  Jane winked and Luna choked.

  ‘Are you quite well, my dear?’ Jane asked. ‘You seem to be all of a flutter this morning. I hear you helped out at the restaurant last night. That was very kind of you.’

  She glanced from Luna to Mason and back again and there was something in her eyes that told Luna that Jane Dorset was putting two and two together and making a new romance.

  ‘That’s the doorbell.’ Luna leapt from her chair, never more thankful to be saved by a bell.

  ‘Luna Blake?’ someone asked from behind a huge display of flowers in which two long ribbons held two large helium balloons. One in the shape of a crescent moon and the other, a full moon, both with faces painted on them

  ‘Yes. I’m Luna. Are these for me?’

  ‘That’s what it says here.’ A woman about Luna’s age, tipped her head sideways around the blooms, and beamed at her. ‘Someone likes you, Luna Blake. Someone likes you a lot.’

  That seemed a very odd thing for a florist to say.

  ‘Thank you,’ Luna said, taking the flowers from her.

  ‘And I think we both know who that someone is.’ The florist winked. ‘Logan wrote the card himself.’ She waved goodbye, and was gone before Luna could say another word.

  ‘Was that Lisa?’ Jane asked from the doorway of the sitting room. ‘Oh, good heavens! What beautiful flowers. Are they for you? Who are they from? Did I hear her mention Logan’s name?’

  ‘Um. I believe so.’

  ‘What does the card say?’

  ‘I haven’t read it yet.’

  ‘Well come along.’ Jane disappeared back into the sitting room, obviously expecting Luna to follow.

  Before she did, she read the card. It said:

  ‘Thank you for last night. I’m hoping tonight will be even better. Until then, I’m sending you some moonlight. Logan. xx’

  Not exactly romantic. And yet …

  ‘We are waiting,’ Jane called out.

  So am I, Luna was tempted to reply.

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Logan felt as if his entire future hinged on what he said and did tonight.

  Lucy had called to say she had recovered and would come to work, so he called Luna to tell her he would pick her up once the restaurant was closed.

  ‘No. I’ll come to you,’ she said. ‘I can take some pictures on the way. And thank you for the flowers. They are beautiful. And the balloons.’

  ‘I’m glad you like them. If you’re coming here, why not come for dinner?’

  ‘You’re fully booked. I saw the bookings last night.’

  ‘I can find you a table, Luna.’

  ‘Thanks. But I’ll eat with Mason. He wants to go to Snowflake Inn tonight. I said I’d go with him if you didn’t need me to work.’

  ‘That’s a coincidence. Mum and Gran are going there tonight. Gran wants to find out all the gossip.’

  ‘I know. She told us. I think that’s why Mason wants to go, too.’

  ‘To find out gossip? Or to be with Gran? Don’t worry. I know he’s got a crush on her. And between you and me. She is keener on him than she makes out.’

  ‘I can tell.’

  ‘Can you? I’m usually hopeless at such things.’

  ‘Are you?’ Luna sounded as if she doubted that.

  ‘Yes. Unless someone actually tells me.’

  ‘What? Tells you they’ve got a crush on you?’

  ‘Yes. And even then, I’m pretty hopeless.’

  ‘You didn’t look … Sorry. I have to go.’

  What had Luna been about to say?

  ‘I’ll see you tonight, Luna.’

  ‘Yes,’ she said. And she had hung up without saying goodbye.

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  ‘You called!’

  Chris sounded happy, which made Luna cringe. She hadn’t wanted to make this call. She had to though. It was only fair. He seemed so nice and she didn’t want to string him along, whether or not something happened tonight between her and Logan.

  ‘Hi,’ she said. ‘I’m afraid this isn’t good news.’

  ‘Oh. Don’t tell me. You’ve met someone else.’

  ‘I had already met him. I should’ve told you before we went for coffee. I’m sorry. He hasn’t even asked me out. But the thing is, Chris. I want him to. And that’s not fair on you.’

  ‘So this is one of those, it’s not you, it’s me, type of calls?’ He laughed. ‘Don’t worry. I’m joking. Crap comedian, remember?’

  ‘Lovely man, with a lovely smile, is what I rememb
er.’

  ‘Not the kiss?’ He laughed again.

  ‘It was a lovely kiss.’

  ‘Thank you. I enjoyed it. You’ve got my number, Luna. Call me if it doesn’t work out. I’ll try and think of some better jokes. Good luck in love.’

  ‘Good luck to you too, Chris.’

  Chapter Forty

  Logan had never seen the moon so bright, or seemingly, so close to earth. It looked as if it would collide with our planet at any second, knocking us, like a billiard ball, way off into a distant galaxy. Or more likely, knowing his luck of late, into a black hole.

  Well, wasn’t that a cheery thought?

  All evening, he had been on edge and when Luna tapped on the door a little before midnight, he almost jumped out of his skin.

  ‘Hi,’ he said, opening the door for her. ‘Would you like a drink? Or something to eat? How are you? You look lovely. Have you taken many photos? It’s a beautiful night. I kept peering out the window at the moon. Sorry. For some reason, I seem to be rambling.’

  Luna smiled. ‘Hi. It’s certainly a beautiful night, and I’m fine, thanks. Are you ready?’

  ‘Ready? Oh, yes. I’m ready.’

  He locked the door and they walked side by side to his van.

  ‘Any gossip?’ He opened the door and held it until she was seated.

  ‘Lots,’ she said, when he got in and sat beside her. ‘I don’t know where to begin.’

  ‘Anywhere you like.’

  He started the van and drove towards Michaelmas Great Wood.

  ‘Severine is staying in Snowflake Cove.’

  He glanced at her. There was something in the way she said that which made him a little uneasy.

  ‘I know. She told me.’

  ‘Oh? When did she tell you?’

  ‘This morning. I met her on my way to the car park. We had a chat.’

  ‘A chat?’ There was a catch in Luna’s voice.

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Did she … Did she say anything else?’

  ‘Yes. She offered to give me some advice on my love life.’

  ‘Your love life?’

  He darted a look at Luna. ‘Yes.’

  She quickly looked away and fiddled with the button of her jacket. ‘Do you need advice?’

  He laughed. ‘Severine seems to think so. And I think she’s probably right.’

  ‘Really. What sort of advice?’

  ‘About why it’s wrong to take someone to Michaelmas Great Wood on a date.’

  He shot another look at her and saw the startled expression on her face.

  ‘I … I don’t understand. Was she saying it was wrong for you to go on a date?’

  He smiled. ‘Nor did I. And no. That wasn’t what she was saying. She was saying my choice of venue was a mistake. I thought it was a great idea. Which is probably why I need advice.’

  ‘You don’t need advice. It is a great idea. I mean … that is … Is this a date? Are we on a date? Or are we just looking at the moon?’

  ‘Can’t we look at the moon and be on a date at the same time?’

  ‘Yes, of course. I meant …’

  He reached out and took her hand in one of his, keeping the other firmly on the wheel.

  ‘I know what you meant, Luna. Yes, this is a date. And I’m hoping it’s the first of many.’

  ‘You are?’ She sounded like a church mouse.

  ‘I am.’

  ‘So am I,’ she said, looking at him from beneath her lashes. ‘But what about Severine? I … I thought you loved her.’

  He pulled up at the entrance to the wood and, letting go of her hand, engaged the handbrake.

  ‘I thought so too. And I did. But not as much as I thought. We’re just friends.’

  ‘Are you sure?’

  ‘Absolutely.’

  He got out and opened the passenger door, took her hand again and led her to the back doors of the van.

  ‘Ta dah!’

  He threw them open and Luna looked inside, before beaming up at him.

  ‘A picnic? You did all this?’

  ‘I wasn’t sure how long we’d be and I thought it might be cold.’

  He had spread a blanket on the floor of the van, piled several cushions around the edges and filled a wicker picnic basket with, he hoped, delicious treats from his restaurant, a bottle of champagne, and glasses. He had also bought some time controlled, battery-lit candles which he had placed here and there around the sides.

  ‘It’s a wonderful surprise. Thank you so much, Logan.’

  He was the one who was surprised when she stood on tiptoe and kissed him. It was just a quick kiss. No more than a peck on his lips but he thought that someone, somewhere must be letting off fireworks.

  ‘That was a wonderful surprise,’ he said, smiling down at her.

  He reached out and took her in his arms. ‘I really like you, Luna. I like you a lot.’

  ‘And Severine?’

  He frowned. ‘Do I like Severine?’

  She shrugged. ‘Are you really over her?’

  ‘Absolutely. I’ll be completely honest. I never thought I would be. But what I felt for Severine wasn’t real. It started off as a crush, and when Dad died, and we stopped going to Snowflake Cove for our holidays, the thought of Severine became an obsession. I made her into someone who wasn’t real. I promise you. I’m over her. And you?’

  ‘Me?’ She laughed. ‘I was never in love with Severine.’

  He grinned at her. ‘You know that wasn’t what I meant. What about Chris? Are you going to be seeing him again?’

  She shook her head. ‘No. I’d already fallen for someone else.’

  He moved slightly away from her. ‘Someone else?’

  ‘For you, Logan. I’d already fallen for you.’

  ‘You had?’ He held her tight again. ‘I wasn’t sure. On the night of my party when we stood outside and looked at the moon, I thought perhaps you had. I know I was falling for you. But then … Severine came and … I don’t quite know what happened. Personally, I blame it on an age-old crush – and too much to drink.’

  ‘And this? What do you blame this on? The way we feel for one another. Shall we blame this on the moonlight?’

  He shook his head slowly and smiled. ‘No, Luna Blake. You can blame it on the moonlight if you like, but this, I think, may well be love at first sight.’

  Then he kissed her to show her exactly what he meant, and from the way she kissed him back, she wasn’t blaming it on the moonlight either.

  She agreed with him.

  What they felt for each other was love. Or at least the very start of love.

  And nothing could be blamed for that.

  Especially not the moonlight.

  THE END

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  Acknowledgements

  My grateful thanks go to the following:

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  Luke Brabants. Luke is a talented artist and can be found at: www.lukebrabants.com