Page 72 of Coming Home to Maple Tree Lodge

‘Are you?’ he asked in a husky tone. ‘Happy, I mean.’

She found that she couldn’t look away from him. ‘Yes,’ she told him. ‘Very much so.’

They both took a step forward at the same time so that their bodies were almost touching. She felt a little breathless as she stared up at him, their heads beginning to lean towards each other.

‘There you are!’ shouted a voice nearby.

Lily leapt back at the same time as Ben did, turning around to find Ella striding towards her.

‘I’ve been looking everywhere for you,’ she said, coming across to give Lily a big hug. ‘Never fear, your super social media whizz kid is here!’ She shot Ben a grin.

‘Glad to hear it,’ he told her.

‘Thought you’d both be rushing around inside getting ready for the big reveal tomorrow night,’ carried on Ella.

‘We just needed a breath of fresh air,’ Lily told her. ‘It’s been so hectic.’

‘Brrr. It’s freezing out here,’ said Ella, shivering in her long white coat. ‘I must remember to start dressing for the country and not for the city.’

‘Come on, I’ll take you back inside,’ said Lily.

As she linked arms with her friend and began to walk back to the hotel, Lily glanced back at Ben, who had turned to stare out across the lake, deep in thought.

She had thought for a moment that they had been about to kiss. Maybe she just imagined it, she told herself. Except she found herself wondering what might have happened had they not been interrupted. And she realised in that moment that she very much wanted to kiss Ben and was hoping that he felt the same way.

37

On the day of the preview evening, Lily lay in bed for a while, mentally running through everything on her checklist.

The hotel itself was ready for its grand unveiling to any locals that might yet decide to show up that night. She and Ben were still concerned about the lack of replies as to who was coming but the show had to go on, they had decided. If only for the family’s sake.

Everyone had contributed to the evening and it felt very much like a family affair. Faye had designed some lovely flower arrangements that had been placed around the ground floor. After some persuading by everyone, Hannah was going to make some delicious cakes that would serve as desserts. Walter had made good on his promise to ensure that there were twenty or so floating wicker baskets with candles which would be cast onto the lake later that evening at sunset. Frankie had stocked the bar full of every conceivable drink. Even Dotty had shown an unexpected gift for calligraphy as she had drawn and painted the signs and menus to be placed around where needed. That just left the final checks to be done.

Lily leapt out of bed, threw on her jeans and sweater and headed downstairs.

The noise coming out of the kitchen sounded very lively, thanks to the addition of their friends who had come to support them.

She was about to join them when she heard movement in the snug and went to investigate.

Heading through the lounge, she reached out to plump up a few of the cushions as she went but she was so pleased with how it looked.

She went through the doorway into the snug and she thought that no matter how many times she went into that particular room, she would be thrilled by the difference.

It was a warm-feeling room, airy but cosy, thanks to the dark blue walls behind the bar. That was already lit with fairy lights, giving it a magical air. The snooker table was laid out ready for its first game and the whole room looked wonderful.

‘Morning,’ said Frankie from behind the bar. ‘Couldn’t sleep for nerves so I had to come in and triple check everything.’

‘I know the feeling,’ said Lily, slipping onto one of the leather stools in front of the bar. ‘Do you think you’re all set?’

‘I reckon so,’ replied Frankie, with a nod.

Lily cleared her throat, feeling a little nervous. ‘About the strength of the cocktails later,’ she began.

But Frankie held up a hand. ‘Ben’s already had a word. Quite a few. Far too many, in actual fact.’

‘Oh.’

Frankie shrugged her shoulders. ‘I’ll get over it. I just need to be a drama queen for a bit. Look, I know some of the ones I’ve been making for the family have been a bit strong.’