Page 15 of Coming Home to Maple Tree Lodge

So he was stuck here at the hotel but even then he wasn’t really in charge. It just felt like a terrible burden that he wanted to be rid of. But he couldn’t because he needed to take care of his family. He wanted to live his life and yet what life could he possibly have in the middle of nowhere?

He wanted freedom to make his own decisions and the lure of taking work away from there was tempting. But the thought of abandoning his family was too much to bear.

It surprised him to feel this stressed because he had always thrived under pressure, unlike Hannah.

But he knew that it was because this time, the project as he viewed it, was personal. Personal for him, for his family’s future.

He was trying to please his family but everyone still seemed extremely unhappy. He was failing, feeling trapped and out of control.

And he couldn’t see how on earth anything could change for the better, no matter how many new ideas he tried to come up with.

It felt as if time was running out for Maple Tree Lodge.

7

Lily woke up the following morning after a great night’s sleep.

Being used to the constant traffic noise outside her bedroom window, as well as her boisterous flatmates who didn’t need an excuse for a party, meant that she wasn’t used to the quiet hotel. So it had taken her some time to fall asleep in the peaceful surroundings.

But after a solid seven hours’ sleep, she felt invigorated, feeling as if she could take on the world that day. Which was good because she was going to talk to Ben that morning with her interior design pitch for the hotel and, fingers crossed, it would lead to a whole new business of her very own.

Before getting into bed the previous night, she had spotted a new tag on the end of the bed and she remembered Frankie telling her that all the beds were new. Well, she thought, whoever had updated the mattresses could at least know that it was money well spent. It had been like floating on a cloud, she said to herself with a smile, running her hand across the soft material beneath her.

However, the bed was one of the few high points in the bedroom, she thought, sitting up once more. Despite theamazing mattress, the room was too stark. The bare floors and plain white linen on the bed seemed at odds with the cosy, charming hotel and its countryside setting.

She thought back to Walter’s story the previous evening and how he had told her that it had been in the Jackson family for five generations. It seemed to her quite unbelievable for a family to stay in one place for so long. She couldn’t imagine living anywhere for any length of time.

And yet, she thought, as she rose to open the bedroom curtains, she could certainly see the appeal of the place. She was instantly enveloped in the wonderful view in front of her, both visually and, opening the window a little to let in some fresh air, with the sound of birdsong filling the bedroom as well.

Along with the chorus of birds chattering and singing amongst the trees, there was also the call of the coots and ducks on the sparkling water of the lake. A soft breeze rustled the leaves of the nearby trees and fluffy white clouds drifted lazily around the cobalt-blue sky before disappearing behind the green rolling hills surrounding them. The sun was beginning to climb its way into the sky and Lily felt herself yearning to be outside which, for a city dweller, was something of a surprise.

She saw movement beyond the trees in the far distance and realised that it was a steam train puffing its way through the countryside. How wonderful, she thought.

It was a completely magical setting. Like being in a Disney movie or something. She wondered what it would be like to wake up with that view each morning. How could anyone be tense living here?

And yet she had picked up on a strained atmosphere the previous evening. Despite the family chatter full of small talk and the delicious meal, Ben and his grandfather had seemed at odds. Unable to even look each other in the eye, she had realised afterwards when she had thought back over the evening.

It saddened her to see a rift in an otherwise loving family. Especially as there was a warmth between them all, such a contrast to her own parents who merely seemed interested in her work whenever she spoke to them. Hannah’s family had seemed interested in Lily as a whole person. Although that caused other problems, with Lily at pains not to try and get too close to them all. After all, if she received the commission for the hotel then the job would be finished and she would leave once more. Relationships, apart from with her three best friends, were fleeting. So it was always best not to get too close, regardless of how charming the family were.

She focused her mind back on Maple Tree Lodge and spun around to face the bedroom once more. Instantly the ideas rushed forward and she could see exactly how she would decorate the place. It needed soft colours everywhere, she decided, looking around. Perhaps some warm colours on a couple of the walls, keeping the logs on show as well. Then she would add a lamp, pictures, rugs and cushions. Definitely carpet as well, soft and luxurious under the feet.

She always got a tingle inside her stomach when she hit upon the right idea for a place and this time was no different. Everything she had in mind would make it feel more comfortable and cosy but luxurious and modern as well. It would be perfect, she decided with a determined nod. She couldn’t wait to tell Ben.

She got dressed and, thanks to her amazing night’s sleep, she felt a spring in her step as she headed downstairs to the hotel reception.

Her stomach rumbling, she hesitated for a moment, wondering where to go for breakfast. She went into the lounge where she had shared a drink with Hannah the night before but there was no one there. She peeped through an open doorwayinto what appeared to be a large dining room but that was dark and obviously not used at the moment.

Finally, and feeling a little embarrassed, she went into the family kitchen where she had enjoyed dinner the previous evening. Faye looked up from behind the island in the middle of the work area and smiled.

‘Good morning!’ she said. ‘How did you sleep?’

‘Good morning,’ replied Lily. ‘I had a great night’s sleep, thank you. It’s so quiet here compared to the all the noise I get outside my bedroom window back in London.’ She made a face. ‘My room overlooks a busy railway junction.’

‘Poor you. Sit down and I’ll rustle you up some breakfast,’ Faye told her.

‘I’m sorry. I didn’t know where to go,’ Lily told her, feeling a little embarrassed. ‘The dining room was empty.’

‘Nonsense,’ replied Faye. ‘You ended up in exactly the right place. Now, what can I get you? Fruit? Eggs? Toast?’