Page 17 of Coming Home to Maple Tree Lodge

‘You can join us if you’d like?’ suggested Frankie, looking down at Lily.

‘Thanks but I’m busy this morning,’ said Lily, before looking across at Ben. ‘We’re going to discuss design ideas for the bedrooms.’

‘No time like the present,’ he replied, reaching out to top up his coffee mug from the pot.

‘We’ll leave you to it then,’ said Frankie, shooting Lily a grin and crossing two fingers behind Ben’s back before she walked away.

Once everyone else had left and she was alone in the kitchen with Ben, Lily still felt bad about her blunder.

‘I’m sorry about what I said earlier about the building works. I didn’t mean to cause an argument,’ she said quickly.

‘You didn’t,’ replied Ben, with a soft sigh. ‘The original argument never finished so it’s just a continuation of the same one over and over.’

Lily looked at him. ‘But I’m sure it’ll all be worthwhile when the renovations are complete. Then the guests will return again.’

He smiled without humour. ‘You’re assuming we had any guests in the first place,’ he told her.

‘I don’t understand,’ she told him, feeling puzzled. ‘This place is amazing. What happened?’

‘Tastes change, I guess,’ he replied. ‘And my father didn’t keep up with them. He and my grandfather thought that the hotel should remain the same as it had always been. The trouble was that the regular guests began to stay away for longer or, worse, not return here at all.’ He appeared to deliberately brighten himself up. ‘Anyway, with your skills with design, I’m sure the guests will be returning in droves.’

‘Let’s hope so,’ replied Lily. ‘I have had some ideas for the bedrooms, if you want to hear them.’

‘Of course,’ nodded Ben, suddenly looking concerned. ‘We just don’t have the budget for anything fancy, if you haven’t noticed.’

‘I understand,’ she told him. ‘I’m used to working on a tight budget.’

‘Thank goodness for that,’ he said, looking relieved. ‘Well, that’s great news. I must say, I was thrilled when I looked up your firm. It’s just the aesthetic that I think we need. Minimal, sharp and modern.’

Lily found she was trying hard not to let her jaw drop open in shock. Minimal? Modern?

‘Really?’ she said, her voice a little high. She cleared her throat. ‘My own ideas were more inspired by the outdoors. All those soft greens and blues of the lake and sky. Other touches of colour, such as pale yellows and pinks, that would really smarten up the place but also keep it cosy.’

‘Cosy?’ Ben shook his head. ‘No. That’s definitely not the vibe we’re going for.’ He looked at her with piercing brown eyes. ‘I’m amazed that this is your idea. I looked up your portfolio last week when Hannah mentioned you. Your company is an exact match for what I wanted. If not, then perhaps I should look elsewhere…’

‘No!’ Lily almost shouted the word, such was her horror that her dream project would slip away from her before it had even begun. ‘I mean, you’re the customer. Of course, if it’s stark minimalism you want then I can provide that.’

‘Good,’ said Ben, standing up, not catching on to her sarcastic tone. ‘So where do we go from here?’

‘I can get you some rough sketches by the end of the day,’ she told him. ‘I’ve got my laptop with me so I can show you my vision. If you can give me some kind of timeline and budget then we can exchange ideas and hopefully get started.’

‘Excellent,’ he told her, with a smile. ‘I’m glad we’re on the same page.’

As he left the kitchen, Lily sank back in her chair with a groan. It was an utter disaster. On the same page? They were at total odds with both taste and ideas.

If she agreed to do the work on his terms, it went against every instinct of her creative soul. If she walked out instead, then she was left with no work at all.

What on earth was she going to do?

8

Lily was still sitting at the kitchen table in shock when Hannah came into the room.

‘Morning,’ she said, with a yawn. ‘I totally overslept. Must have been Frankie’s strong gin measures.’

Lily smiled, despite feeling wretched after her conversation with Ben. ‘Morning,’ she replied. ‘Frankie does pour a strong drink, that’s for sure.’

‘She used to be a barmaid so I guess she’s got the knack for it.’ Hannah headed over to the warm coffee pot on the side and poured herself a large mugful. Then she joined Lily at the table, still yawning.