Page 50 of Coming Home to Maple Tree Lodge

Ryan nodded his approval. ‘Good choice.’

‘I just fancied a pizza, to be honest,’ said Ben, with a grin.

Ryan rolled his eyes. ‘Heathen,’ he said, snatching the menus from the table. ‘But seeing as my pizza is as fantastic as my risotto, I don’t blame you. Let’s get you some drinks and nibbles to get you started.’

Almost immediately, they were served with a non-alcoholic beer for Ben as he was driving and a large glass of white wine for Lily. Along with their drinks, Ryan’s fiancée Katy placed a large sharing plate of olives, bruschetta and dips between them to whet their appetites.

‘What an amazing place,’ said Lily, once she had taken a sip of wine. ‘So how do you know the owner?’

‘I went to infant school with Ryan and his brother,’ Ben told her. He leaned back in his chair and looked around the restaurant. ‘I must say they’ve done wonders with the old place. It was in almost a worse state than the hotel was, if you can believe it.’

‘Maybe you should have used their interior designer instead,’ said Lily, glancing around. It really did feel like such a warm and inviting place, entirely suited to its environment.

She turned her attention back to Ben and found him studying her.

‘I think we’ve hired just the right interior designer actually,’ he said.

She found herself blushing. ‘Let’s hope so.’

‘Tell me what made you interested in interior design,’ he asked. ‘From what you’ve told me, it wasn’t a natural career choice.’

She hesitated and took another sip of wine. Not normally used to talking about herself, she found herself telling him about the gift of the doll’s house and how it sparked the creativity that she still had to that day.

‘So this doll’s house is important to you?’ he said.

She nodded. ‘That’s why it’s all wrapped up safely in my room.’ She rolled her eyes. ‘It’s got a bit bashed over the years. One of the front doors doesn’t close properly and the roof is all askew.’

‘Well, perhaps I can take a look at it,’ said Ben. ‘Or Grandad if you trust him more to fix it.’

‘Thank you. And, for the record, I trust you,’ she told him, feeling the heat spread across her cheeks.

And it was true, she realised.

‘You haven’t seen my detailed carpentry work yet,’ he told her, with a grin.

She laughed. ‘I’ve seen the four-poster beds and they’re just great,’ she replied.

‘Glad you approve,’ he said. He looked around once more. ‘Maybe the old railway station is proof that even the worst of places can be brought back to life.’

‘I think it shows me that there’s more people out and about in this area than I had thought possible as well,’ said Lily, glancing around the busy restaurant. ‘I mean, it’s a Tuesday evening and yet the place is full.’

‘Shame I can’t lure Ryan over to the hotel to serve his delicious food there instead,’ said Ben. ‘And believe me, I’ve tried. We’re going to need a chef. I think it’s getting too much for Mum, to be honest.’

Lily nodded. ‘I understand. Have you thought about using Hannah instead?’

Ben drew in a sharp breath. ‘Of course, but she’ll never agree to it. You know how lacking in confidence she is. The only people she likes to cook for her are her family.’

‘Hmm.’ Lily knew that he was right. ‘Perhaps we can work on her together.’

‘That would be great if we could,’ he told her. ‘I think it would really help her come out of her shell at long last.’

She was touched by how supportive he was of his younger sister.

‘In the meantime, perhaps we could plan a pizza evening for the guests one night a week,’ she suggested. ‘It would give whoever the chef is a break for the night. All we would need is to get the orders in advance and have them sent over.’

‘Now that’s a great idea,’ said Ben, as Katy delivered their main course to the table. ‘Especially if it’s as delicious as this.’

He held out a slice of pizza for Lily to take a bite out of. A little embarrassed, she took a taste and couldn’t help but nod her approval. ‘Wow,’ she muttered with a full mouth. She could taste rosemary, the freshest tomatoes, succulent artichokes and sweet Parma ham. ‘That’s amazing.’