Page 46 of Coming Home to Maple Tree Lodge

Lily looked at her friend. ‘Is that your subtle way of suggesting that I move around too much?’

Hannah gave her a wink. ‘I didn’t plan on being that subtle, to be honest.’

Frankie had just come into the kitchen and came over to stand at the end of the table. ‘What’s all this about moving about?’ she asked.

Lily’s initial reaction was to baulk about opening up. But then she remembered her conversation with Ben in the boathouse. About the problems she had caused herself by not being honest. And she decided to take a small tentative step forward.

‘When I was growing up we moved around so often that I kind of got used to not having anywhere to call home,’ she said. ‘That didn’t stop when I moved to London. But I didn’t really enjoy it.’

‘I understand,’ said Frankie, for once looking serious. In a quiet tone, she carried on, ‘I know what that’s like. It’s disruptive, isn’t it? Lonely too because you never get to know anyone.’

Lily was startled and found herself nodding in agreement. ‘It was,’ she said. ‘Really lonely.’

She looked at Frankie once more.

Frankie saw the question in Lily’s eyes and sighed. ‘My ex-husband never could keep a job. Or his fidelity either, the big cheat. And that’s the polite version as you’re a guest here.’

‘I’m sorry,’ said Lily.

‘I’m not,’ said Frankie, giving herself a little shake. ‘I’m far happier and better off without him. Let me tell you something, ladies. Marriage is like a deck of cards. In the beginning all youneed is two hearts and a diamond. But by the end, you just wish you had a club and a spade. To bury him, that is.’

Lily joined in with Hannah’s laughter but she was beginning to realise that Frankie used her humour as her protective armour.

‘You should join a dating app,’ Hannah told her.

Frankie made a face. ‘You first, sweetheart.’

Hannah shook her head. ‘No way. I’m happily single. What about you, Lily?’

Ben had just entered the room and for some unexpected reason she found herself blushing as he overheard the conversation.

‘I’ve been single for so long it’s a way of life,’ muttered Lily.

Frankie rolled her eyes. ‘Youth is wasted on the young, as they say. Get out there and live life. Change things up a bit, why don’t you?’

‘There’s been enough change in my life these past couple of weeks,’ said Lily, still avoiding looking at Ben. ‘Talking of which, and with regard to me being more open with you all, I’m going to tell Beth and Ella as well about my job,’ Lily told Hannah.

Hannah looked surprised but pleased. ‘Let’s do a group call,’ she said. ‘So we can all chat together.’

Lily nodded. ‘OK. You set it up. I’m going to ring my parents first.’ She checked the time and headed into the lounge to make the call to Australia.

She had decided that it was time to tell them the truth about her job. She had been dreading admitting that she had lost her job but to her surprise they were very supportive.

‘So what next?’ asked her dad.

‘Well, after I finish helping Hannah’s family here, I want to set up my own business.’ Lily still wasn’t sure it was exactly what she wanted but, as expected, they were thrilled with her ambition.

‘Our career girl,’ said her mum. ‘We’re proud of you.’

Lily’s smile grew a little rigid as she realised that she was still trying to be something else, something bigger, but at least being honest about losing her job was a tiny step forward in the right direction, wasn’t it?

The conversation with Beth and Ella was thankfully a little more balanced.

‘Listen, we’ve all lost jobs at one time or another,’ said Ella. ‘It’s rubbish but you’ll get another one. Especially with your skills.’

‘In the meantime, she’s staying put at Maple Tree Lodge to give us a hand,’ Hannah told them.

‘Excellent,’ said Beth. ‘Listen, I’ve got some holiday owing so I can come and help. Many hands make light work and all that.’