Page 20 of Coming Home to Maple Tree Lodge

As he walked away, Lily realised that both Walter and Ben had completely different visions for the hotel and that she was firmly stuck in the middle of their ongoing argument.

Whatever happened in the future, someone was going to have to give way and it wouldn’t help mend an already fractured relationship between the two men.

Despite all of her worries, she allowed herself a small shake of the head. Walter might have been right to agree with her design ideas but he was completely wrong with the notion that she would be staying once the project was complete.

She might be staying at Maple Tree Lodge for a little while longer. But whilst the thought of getting any closer to the familyunsettled her, for a brief moment she was surprised to find herself almost relishing the thought.

She also found herself hovering outside for a few more moments to enjoy the glorious view before turning away and heading indoors to get started on her designs.

9

Ben was feeling a little more optimistic about the hotel’s chances of survival as the morning went on.

The electrician had told him that the rewiring of the entire lodge was almost complete. The plasterers had completed the ceiling of the reception hall so at least his grandad could stop grumbling over the scaffold as it would be taken down the following day.

Last and perhaps best of all, Lily seemed entirely on board with his vision for the hotel.

Although he was a little unsettled by the fact that his sister had invited her to stay whilst the redecoration was carried out.

‘I don’t understand what the problem is,’ said Hannah, when he mentioned it to her when they met in the lounge later in the morning.

‘I’m not sure Mum will want to keep catering for one more person every day,’ he told her.

Hannah laughed. ‘Are you kidding? Mum’s thrilled.’

‘OK,’ carried on Ben. ‘How about the fact that she’s here to work and that we’ve got an awful lot to do? I’m not sure she’s going to have time to chat and gossip with you every day.’

Hannah raised her eyebrows. ‘Can’t she do both?’ she said in a sarcastic tone. ‘She’s very gifted.’

Ben blew out a long sigh. ‘I’m not sure she needed to move in here, whatever the circumstances,’ he replied.

Hannah made a face. ‘She’s living in a rubbish place and the lease is about to run out.’

He shrugged his shoulders. ‘So why can’t she just find somewhere else to live?’ he snapped.

‘Because she’s my friend and it’s my home too,’ Hannah told him, with a glare.

‘I know,’ he said.

‘So I’ve invited Beth and Ella to stay next weekend as well, not that I need your permission for that either, big bro,’ she carried on.

He was surprised but actually pleased to find his sister sounding a little stronger, a little more self-confident. Perhaps having her friend to stay would do her good and she would begin to break out of her shell a bit, he thought.

Working in that grotty pub in Aldwych didn’t help, of course. Staff turnover was always high there for a reason, because the manager was so awful. He knew Hannah downplayed how miserable she was there but he had always tried to protect her from any school bullies, always tried to look out for her, even though they were both now in their early thirties.

Perhaps he could have a quiet word with Lily whilst she was around. See if they could both work on Hannah to find another job, at least until the hotel reopened. After all, she had known Lily for many years and obviously trusted her.

‘OK.’ He held up his hands in submission. ‘Point taken.’

‘Can’t you just be a little nicer these days?’ asked Hannah, shaking her head.

‘I’m always nice,’ he told her, offended.

‘You used to be until you became hotel manager.’

Hannah gave him a wink to offset her jibe before she walked out of the room.

Ben’s shoulders sagged as he leant back on the sofa. He knew he ended up borderline nagging each day. He felt permanently miserable and just couldn’t see a way out. Perhaps when the hotel was finally finished, he could take a step back and begin to enjoy himself again. But if they didn’t receive any guests, he couldn’t see what the future was.