Page 62 of Coming Home to Maple Tree Lodge

‘Well, there’s a very small current but it would be the slowest duck race in the world,’ said Ben.

It was good to see him and his grandad getting along so much better, thought Lily. They were even able to share a joke these days.

Faye sat back next to her and they continued their conversation.

‘So you think I should make a wreath for the front door?’ asked Faye. ‘When we open to guests, I mean.’

‘Of course,’ Lily told her. ‘Given your passion for floristry, I think it’s a great solution. We could wrap some holly over the fireplaces and beams. Even up the stairwell.’

‘I think that sounds great, Mum,’ said Hannah.

‘Oh, she’s not the only one I’ve got plans for,’ said Lily, with a grin. ‘I was thinking that when the lounge is ready, perhaps we could have a tea trolley where guests can help themselves to not only a hot drink but one of your delicious cakes as well.’

‘If you think they’d want that,’ muttered Hannah.

‘Of course they will,’ said Alex fiercely. ‘Nobody could ever turn down one of your cakes.’

Hannah smiled gratefully at him but Lily knew that her friend would need more encouragement to bake her cakes for anyone beyond the family. Thankfully everyone else thought it was an inspired idea and would keep encouraging her.

Hannah was also going to help Faye with the breakfasts, using the recipes that Jake had given them for some more updated menu items.

‘Evening, all,’ said Dodgy Del, wandering into the lounge.

‘Del! What on earth brings you here tonight?’ asked Walter.

‘I was just passing and thought I could drop off those strings of fairy lights that I promised Lily,’ said Del.

‘Talking of which,’ said Lily, standing up and looking down at Ben. ‘There was just one more thing, if you want to follow me.’

‘Uh-oh,’ she heard Ben mutter, as he too stood up.

She led him over to the far wall. ‘What are we going to do with this place?’ she asked Ben, opening the door to the snug.

‘The snug?’ he asked, looking surprised.

‘It’s hardly snug,’ she told him, heading inside and switching on the lights. ‘It’s actually a really great size.’

She could now see that it was actually a large room, despite the many boxes in there. It didn’t have any furniture but what it did have was a stone bar along one side and a couple of smaller tables piled up in a corner.

‘Was this ever used as a bar?’ she asked.

‘A long time ago,’ said Ben, blowing out a sigh. ‘I could ask Grandad. But it hasn’t been used for years, I reckon.’

Lily’s mind was racing as she turned around the room once more. She could imagine leather sofas and darker walls, giving a warmth and maturity where the lounge could be sunny and light. Perhaps even a snooker table, she thought, next to the armchairs and coffee tables. It would be perfect in the summer with the view of the lake and the door open to the long veranda.

But she could also imagine the fire on in the winter, the sun low in the sky, cosy sofas and blankets and rugs softening it up.

‘Oh, no,’ she heard Ben mutter.

She turned quickly to face him. ‘What’s the matter?’

‘I recognise that look on your face,’ he told her, with a soft smile.

‘What look?’

‘The “this is going to cost me money” look,’ he replied, raising his eyebrows at her.

She laughed. ‘Listen, don’t you think the bar is a good idea?’