Page 81 of Coming Home to Maple Tree Lodge

‘I just remember peeking through the bannisters and seeing everyone all dressed up,’ said Hannah, in a dreamy voice.

‘So it’s a party?’ asked Lily.

‘It’s a celebration,’ Walter told her.

‘Of what?’ asked Ben, still unable to recall any kind of party. ‘And why did I think it happened at Christmas time?’

‘That was a different party,’ said Dotty, waving her hand as if it were unimportant. ‘This is better. This is unique. Dragonflies symbolise new beginnings, rejuvenation, if you will.’

‘It’s said that they symbolise a stripping away of negativity, enabling us to achieve all our hopes and dreams,’ added Walter.

‘Well, if that’s not an excuse for a party then I don’t know what is!’ said Lily, laughing.

‘They remind us that anything is possible,’ said Dotty, with a soft smile.

Even saving a hotel? Ben wondered whether it was true. He hoped the dance would make all of their hopes and dreams come true, even the ones only he dreamt about, he thought as he looked once more at Lily.

He wondered whether they could ever be anything but just friends, despite him wanting so much more.

41

The opening weekend for the hotel came around and after lunch everyone was to be found pacing nervously up and down the reception area, waiting for the arrival of their first guests.

Once Lily had bumped into Frankie for the third time, she found her path blocked.

‘Right,’ said Frankie, to the family. ‘Either we work out some kind of one-way system or most of you are going to have to leave.’

‘Why can’tyouleave?’ asked Hannah, with a grin.

‘Because I’m the glue that binds this madness together,’ said Frankie.

‘Look,’ said Lily. ‘I’m the receptionist so I can’t leave.’

‘Yes, but everyone else can,’ said Ben. ‘It’ll look ridiculous if we’re all gathered in here when our first guests arrive.’

‘Then we’d better scarper because look out,’ muttered Frankie, nodding at the glass by the front door.

Lily could see a car pulling up and a young couple got out, looking across the lake and admiring the view.

‘Here we go,’ said Ben, looking nervous.

‘Maple Tree Lodge is open for business,’ said Lily in an overly bright tone of voice that she knew came from nerves.

Pretty soon, they were welcoming their first guests. About ten people were booked in for the weekend. Despite the lack of a chef, everyone seemed unconcerned that dinner wasn’t provided and that they could either receive takeaway pizzas from nearby Cranfield or go out to the many local restaurants.

Lily had made sure that there were snacks and nibbles in the bar though, just in case anyone was still hungry. There was also Hannah’s delicious cake to share, displayed under a glass dome in the lounge. It was an apple and cinnamon cake, the apples cut and spread out like rose petals around the cake.

‘It’s amazing. You’ve such a talent,’ Lily had told her when she saw it.

As always, Hannah brushed off any praise almost immediately. But Lily could tell that she was pleased with the feedback. Slowly she was beginning to come out of her shell and relish baking for people other than the family. In fact, she had also made spiced biscuits shaped like leaves. They were buttery with just a hint of nutmeg and mixed spice to make them autumnal.

Then there was the huge choice of breakfasts that Faye served up each morning over the weekend. All tastes and preferences were catered for, from healthy options to a fully cooked breakfast.

‘All the ingredients come from local farms,’ Faye told one couple. ‘We like to help out everyone in the local area.’

All the guests seemed extremely happy with their stay. Lily helped Frankie with the housekeeping and cleaning of the rooms and main area, whilst Ben ensured that the fires were permanently lit as the temperature outside began to cool down.

The forest looked spectacular that weekend, as if winter had been waiting for the first guests before bursting into a frostywinter wonderland. Everything outside sparkled under the deep blue sky.