Page 57 of Coming Home to Maple Tree Lodge

‘Eggs?’ asked Jake, tipping a delicious-looking omelette onto a plate for Lily.

She smiled at him and Ben found himself a little unsettled. Surely Lily was looking for someone more serious than Jake?

He loved Jake like a brother but the man had serious commitment issues, thanks to his parents’ disastrous marriage. He would need someone as strong as he was to put up with it, even knowing how kind and generous his friend’s heart was.

‘So, how was the water?’ asked Jake.

‘Painfully cold,’ Lily told him, laughing.

Jake shook his head. ‘Think too much training has affected Alex’s brain, to be honest. The man must be mad to go out in that cold water day after day.’

‘He certainly trains very hard,’ said Faye.

‘Too hard,’ said Jake, frowning. ‘And I’m not sure how much of it is his choice.’

‘What do you mean?’ asked Lily, looking confused.

Ben replied on Jake’s behalf. ‘Alex’s parents, well, his dad I guess, is desperate for Alex to achieve some kind of success,’ he told her.

‘I’m not sure a gold medal would even be enough to satisfy Alex’s dad, unless it came with a world record as well,’ added Jake, shaking his head before appearing to brighten himself up deliberately. ‘Thankfully my parents don’t give a damn about me so I don’t have that kind of pressure.’

‘They love you in their own way,’ said Faye quietly.

Jake smiled at her. ‘Because you’re so kind and lovely, I won’t contradict you on that.’

Faye smiled back at him. ‘What was that about changing your job I heard you mention last night?’ she asked.

‘I’m bored,’ he said.

Ben wasn’t surprised. Jake frequently changed his job and relationships, citing boredom. Ben had always figured that Jake just hadn’t found the right place or woman yet.

‘Are the people at the restaurant that bad?’ asked Faye.

Jake shook his head. ‘Not really. But you know that the only people I really like are right here.’

He had often used Maple Tree Lodge as an escape whenever he could and seemed to regard Ben’s family as his own. Something Ben was happy to let him do.

And Alex as well, he realised. His own family circumstances may have been strained from time to time, but the hotel had always been a welcome refuge for his friends.

And now Lily too, he thought, glancing over at her as she finished her omelette.

‘I’m starving,’ said Hannah, as she came through the door. ‘I need a caffeine pick-me-up after that cold shock.’

Jake made a face. ‘That stuff will rot your insides,’ he said, with a grimace. ‘I’ll whizz you up an energising smoothie to start you off.’

‘Is it chocolate flavoured?’ asked Hannah, her eyes gleaming.

Jake rolled his eyes. ‘Just sit down and let me do the cooking. You may be the master of all things cake but brunches are my speciality.’ He frowned, glancing at Faye. ‘Well, I’m the deputy to the master over there.’

He was obviously at pains not to upset Faye but she didn’t seem to mind. In fact, she was nodding thoughtfully to herself.

‘You know, I’ve been thinking about changing the breakfast menu when we reopen,’ she said, looking across at Ben. ‘Different choices, I mean.’

‘Sounds good,’ he said, surprised but pleased.

‘Have you found a chef to cover the dinner shift yet?’ asked Jake.

Ben shook his head. It was a constant problem, trying to lure someone out into the heart of the countryside to provide dinner for the guests. Thankfully he and his grandad had come across a solution. ‘Not yet. But Grandad and I have agreed that we’ll just offer bed and breakfast at first, until we find our feet.’