Page 183 of Brighter Together

“Me?”

He smiles.

“The plans your family submitted belong to their firm. I’m not touching them, even though you designed them.”

The reminder still stings.

Tommy sees something in my expression.

“That isn’t punishment.”

“I didn’t think it was.”

Maybe a little part of me did.

“They submitted them commercially. I want a completely clean break.”

“That makes sense.”

“But I would like you to help me work out what Greenview actually needs and maybe we don’t need the tender.”

Excitement sparks through me despite how exhausted I am.

“You mean it?”

“Yes.”

Ideas immediately start colliding in my head.

“Actually…”

Tommy laughs.

“Don't tell me you already have a concept in your head?”

“I was thinking about the lake.”

“Okay—”

“Self-contained cottages.”

He settles back against the pillows.

I sit up.

“A small cluster, not loads. Enough that people have privacy but still feel part of the Greenview Manor experience,” I say.

“Interesting idea.”

“And maybe a separate main building down there. Yoga studio. Library. Flexible room for workshops.”

Tommy is listening closely now.

“We had that enquiry from the group of authors who wanted to run a writing retreat,” I continue. “Something like that would be perfect. They could have their own space without taking over half the hotel, but if they wanted proper dinner or spa treatments or anything more luxurious, they could walk up to the main building.”

Ideas tumble faster now.

“Could work for wellbeing retreats too. Small corporate groups. Art weekends. Things where people want to be together but also want somewhere quiet.”