Page 80 of Coming Home to Maple Tree Lodge

There was a short silence before everyone started talking and laughing at once.

‘This is tremendous,’ said Ben, feeling instantly buoyed up. He couldn’t stop himself from looking across at Lily. ‘What a review!’

‘That’s amazing!’ she said, beaming from ear to ear. ‘Isn’t it great? We need to upload it to the website with some quotes ASAP.’

‘I agree,’ he replied, checking his own phone. ‘And I’ve just had even better news. We’ve got a couple of bookings for next weekend! We’re off and running!’

A huge cheer went up around the table and everyone was in high spirits.

‘Well, I’m glad to be leaving you all with everything going so well,’ announced Alex, standing up. ‘But I’ve got to get back home as I’ve got a plane to catch later.’

‘Where are you off to this time?’ asked Faye.

‘Australia,’ Alex told her. ‘A bit of climate training before the Commonwealth Games.’ He gave a nervous grimace.

‘You’ll be fine,’ said Faye, stepping forward to give him a hug.

‘Wish I was going with you instead,’ Jake told him, looking gloomy that he had to return to his normal restaurant job and leave the family once more.

With Beth and Ella leaving as well to get back to their day jobs, the hotel felt a little quieter despite everyone being in high spirits that day.

Walter was whistling to himself as he brought in some more logs for the fires.

Hannah was also looking pleased with herself, buoyed up by the positive feedback from so many visitors who had complimented her on her cakes.

But best of all was their grandmother. Dotty was fizzing with energy as she buzzed around the hotel.

‘What’s got into you today?’ asked Frankie over dinner that evening. ‘Have you been helping yourself to my bar?’

Dotty laughed and shook her head. ‘Not yet! I don’t know what I feel today. I saw so many friends last night who I haven’t seen in a long time.’ Her smile faded a little as she reached out to squeeze Faye’s hand. ‘And we all know why I hid myself away for so long, grieving. I mean, I loved Tony. We all did. And we always will. But I have to carry on, for his sake and for mine, to be honest.’

‘He would have wanted all of us to do that,’ murmured Faye, squeezing her mother-in-law’s hand.

‘Well, last night was certainly a great first step,’ said Ben.

‘It was,’ replied his grandmother. ‘The only thing missing was some music.’

‘Oh, yes, that’s what I thought,’ said Lily, nodding.

‘I love to dance,’ said Dotty in a dreamy voice. ‘It’s been too long.’ She suddenly gave a start and looked down at her husband at the other end of the table. ‘Walter,’ she said. ‘Are you thinking what I’m thinking?’

He broke into a wide smile. ‘Well, why not?’ he replied.

Ben looked between his grandparents, somewhat bemused. ‘Could someone enlighten the rest of us who don’t have telepathic communication?’ he asked.

‘The Dragonfly Dance,’ announced Walter, with a wink.

‘The what?’ asked Ben, nonplussed.

‘Oh, I remember!’ said Hannah, her eyes lighting up. ‘It was some kind of party, wasn’t it?’

Dotty nodded. ‘We used to have a dance every year on Valentine’s Day,’ she replied.

‘When did you last hold one?’ asked Lily.

Walter blew out a sigh as he thought. ‘Probably twenty years ago,’ he said.

‘Longer than that,’ Faye told him. ‘The kids were only little when we had the last one, I think.’