Page 70 of Coming Home to Maple Tree Lodge

‘I seem to remember you doing the same just before your exams,’ said Ben.

‘Which is why I’m stuck working in a crummy restaurant like this one,’ said Jake. ‘Anyway, I’ll be down early next week so I can get going then. OK?’

‘OK.’ Ben smiled gratefully at his best friend. ‘Cheers. Thanks for this.’

Jake nodded. ‘See you next week.’

True to his word, Jake arrived the following Tuesday and immediately began discussing the menu ideas with Ben and Lily as soon as he had arrived.

‘I reckon bitesize is the way to go,’ Jake told them over coffee in the kitchen. ‘It’ll be easier on the portions.’

But Ben frowned. ‘Not sure tiny little appetisers are going to go down very well,’ he said, looking at Lily for her to agree.

But she merely looked at Jake as if wanting more information.

‘They won’t be tiny,’ he told her. ‘They’ll be filling and most importantly delicious. So what do you think?’

‘I think I’d rather listen to the professional chef than the architect when it comes to delicious food,’ she replied, with a grin.

Jake winked at her before turning to Ben with a mock glare. ‘As always, the lady is quite right. And besides, I remember that you couldn’t even cook beans on toast at university so you won’t mind if I go ahead and ignore your cooking suggestions.’

Ben ignored their gentle teasing. ‘But we need food that’s filling,’ he went on.

Jake rolled his eyes. ‘It will be,’ he assured his friend. ‘I’m talking mini beef wellingtons and burgers. Halloumi fries andfalafels. Brie and cranberry bites. Smoked salmon mousse and sushi.’

‘Sounds amazing,’ said Lily, standing up. ‘Look, I’ve got a delivery of all the new crockery and utensils so I’ll leave you to it. But, Jake, just ignore Ben and I’m sure it’ll be wonderful,’ she added, shooting Ben a brilliant smile that made his insides lurch before walking out of the office.

‘I’m beginning to really warm to her,’ said Jake, watching her leave the room. ‘Amazing pair of legs as well.’

‘Don’t get too warm,’ warned Ben, with a scowl.

Jake burst into laughter. ‘Oh, you have got it bad! Rest assured, with my delicious food and maybe some of Frankie’s wicked cocktails inside you as well, maybe you’ll get that next kiss after all.’

Ben knew his friend was teasing but couldn’t help but wonder and hoped that, as well as being a gifted chef, Jake was also good at predicting the future.

36

With Jake promising to cook up a storm, it was left to Lily and Ben to ensure that everything else was ready for the preview evening the following day.

Ben was still frantically finishing off the many odd jobs around the hotel, such as fixing light switches and hanging curtain rails. So Lily had to deal with the bulk of the party organising.

However, they were both concerned about low attendance as the number of RSVPs was still worryingly small. Walter kept telling them not to worry, that the word amongst the locals was positive, but still the doubts remained.

‘Do you think we’ve got enough napkins?’ Lily asked Ben, later that afternoon when he came into the dining room. ‘Or shall I get a rush order for some more?’

He glanced at his phone once more before shoving it back in his pocket. ‘Think we might have too many, to be honest,’ he replied with a grimace.

Lily was aghast at his worried expression. ‘They’ll come, won’t they?’ she asked.

After all their hard work, it would be awful if the start of reopening the hotel was a disaster.

‘Of course they will,’ he told her, avoiding eye contact.

But neither of them believed his words.

‘The trouble is, if they know the hotel, it’s not like it’s anything new,’ said Ben. ‘We need something else to draw them in. Something bigger. I just don’t know what.’

‘Surely a complete makeover is new enough,’ said Lily, trying to think positively. ‘Come on, let’s get some fresh air. I haven’t been outside all day. That always makes me feel better.’