Page 30 of Coming Home to Maple Tree Lodge

But a tiny part of her wondered whether there was a small truth in what they were trying to tell her. Could it be that her friends were right and maybe she was wrong after all?

15

Having spent a busy Saturday with her friends, shopping and then going to the local cinema, Sunday morning was a more low-key affair. Especially as Beth and Ella had to catch a train later that afternoon to head home in time for work in the morning.

Lily felt better for the break away from work, despite the pressures of the deadline beginning to creep up on her. She had managed to catch up properly with all her friends and was even beginning to relax for the first time in a long time, she felt.

‘How are you getting to the train station?’ asked Faye when they all gathered around the long table for breakfast.

‘Frankie says her godson has offered us a free lift,’ replied Ella.

‘Wow.’ Hannah blinked a few times, appearing surprised. ‘What did he want in return?’

Lily laughed. ‘You sound just like your brother, all suspicious!’ she said.

Hannah smiled. ‘Rightly so, where Del is concerned.’ She looked at Ella. ‘Don’t tell me, he wants you to sort out some marketing or some such thing.’

‘Well…’ Ella’s voice trailed off as she realised it was true. ‘Actually, he did mention something about his taxi service website needing a makeover.’

‘Ha! Told you so,’ said Hannah, sinking onto a stool and sipping her coffee. ‘He means well but if Del gives you a favour he expects one in return. Unless he wants a date instead?’

‘Eww, no!’ Ella made a face. ‘I mean, he’s a nice guy but no! Not my type. Besides, I only like a man if he’s like my weekends: gone by Monday morning. ’

Lily smiled at her friend. Ella had long since declared that she would never find Mr Right but was happy to consider quite a few Mr Wrongs instead.

Ella looked at Hannah. ‘Maybe he’s your type instead?’ she teased.

Hannah shook her head so strongly her blonde hair swung about her face. ‘Oh, no. Not Del. He’s almost family! Anyway, I’m sworn off all men for the foreseeable future.’

‘I’m sorry to hear that,’ said Walter, coming into the kitchen. ‘So I won’t be getting any great-grandchildren any time soon?’

‘Ha!’ laughed Hannah. ‘You’d better have a word with Ben instead, Grandad.’

‘Humph,’ said Walter. ‘No chance there either.’ He shook his head. ‘You youngsters have no idea about love and romance.’

‘Not much chance of that around here,’ said Frankie, following him into the kitchen to place a shopping bag on the counter.

‘And on that note, I’m going to get dressed.’ Hannah stood up and stretched. ‘I’m so sleepy today.’

‘A bit of fresh air would wake you up,’ said Walter.

‘I think it might,’ replied Hannah. ‘Do you know, we still haven’t shown Lily around the lake. Good as time as any, I reckon.’

Ella and Beth nodded their approval.

‘What do you say, Lily?’ asked Hannah.

‘Sounds like a plan,’ replied Lily.

‘Great!’ Hannah looked pleased. ‘Meet you in the entrance hall in a while.’

As Lily was the only one who had got dressed for breakfast, she was able to quickly grab her wellies and coat from upstairs before heading outside.

It was such a beautiful day, she thought, taking a deep breath in. The early gloom had disappeared and there was nothing but a wide-open blue sky mirrored in the water across the lake. There was no sound of traffic, no congestion, no people, she realised. Just her and nature.

‘Not bad, is it?’ said Walter, coming to stand next to her.

‘It’s lovely,’ said Lily. ‘The colours are amazing.’