Page 91 of Coming Home to Maple Tree Lodge

‘I’m sure Ben will find five minutes to dance with you,’ said Hannah, with a knowing smile.

‘Maybe even ten minutes if you’re lucky,’ added Frankie, with a wink.

Lily blushed and giggled.

‘After all, it is supposed to be a dance,’ Frankie reminded them. ‘Now what about music?’

‘It’s all sorted,’ said Lily. ‘We’ve got a local band coming in. They play everything to cater for all tastes.’

‘I’m hoping for a spin around the dance floor as well,’ announced Walter, as he came into the room.

They all laughed as he tried to teach Hannah how to do the Hustle. Admitting defeat after a while, Walter shook his head and declared that there was no hope for the younger generations.

‘Your grandma and I will show you how it’s done on the night,’ he told them.

Later on, when Lily had finished her cocktail and was about to head out of the room, Walter caught her arm. ‘By the way, young lady,’ he said in a soft tone that only she could hear. ‘If my grandson asks you to dance on Saturday night, please just say yes, will you?’

Lily looked at him with a smile. ‘Are you meddling, Walter?’ she asked him, giving his hand a squeeze.

He laughed. ‘Of course I am, my dear. But I love you both and just want to see you happy.’

So much for Ben thinking that their relationship was secret, she thought with a smile.

She was trying not to get swept up in the romance of the evening. After all, it was a major event for the hotel and the mostimportant thing was that it would run smoothly and be a huge advertisement for the hotel and bring in more bookings.

But even so, the thought of dancing in Ben’s arms was certainly appealing.

She knew that she wasn’t being fair on Ben by letting the relationship continue. She told him over and over that she must leave eventually and yet as soon as he took her in his arms, she lost her train of thought. He said he didn’t care but she knew that he did. And she hated herself all the more for it.

She would still leave when she got another job, something which she was beginning to look for with more eagerness these days. The stronger her feelings for him grew, the more she felt the need to run away. That way she wouldn’t get hurt and more importantly nor would he.

But perhaps there would be time for just one dance before she left, she thought, unable to deny herself the feelings in her heart.

47

To everyone’s relief, the Dragonfly Dance was a huge success.

Jake’s food was delicious as were Hannah’s desserts and both had received rave reviews, along with Frankie’s Valentines-themed cocktails. The band had encouraged many people to get up and dance. Many more had stood on the veranda as the floating red candle and heart show had slowly made its way across the lake, under the watchful eye of the full moon above.

Lily had had such a busy evening she had barely had time to stop but as the night wore on, she finally began to relax and sought out her friends.

‘I love that dress,’ Hannah told her, as she joined them in the dining room.

Lily had chosen a full-length dark red dress with tiny glittery pieces on the spaghetti straps.

‘And that colour is incredible on you,’ said Lily, looking at her friend’s long royal-blue dress. ‘It matches your eyes perfectly.’

‘That’s why I chose it for her,’ said Ella, coming to stand with them. ‘Otherwise she was going to wear black again.’

Ella looked stunning in a long pale silver dress.

‘Are we going to have this argument again?’ asked Beth as she joined them. ‘Black is vintage, classy and will never ever go out of fashion.’

Beth gestured at her fabulous vintage black ballgown with yards of bright red net underneath to match her red heels.

‘Ladies, you all look wonderful,’ said Jake, wandering up to join them. ‘Ella, I’m surprised to see you wear silver. I thought that killed off witches, am I right?’

‘Oh, Jake,’ sighed Ella. ‘Never let your mind wander. It’s too little to be let out alone.’