Page 66 of Coming Home to Maple Tree Lodge

So too was Frankie, who was currently behind the bar, polishing up the bottles of cider and gin which had just arrived. They gleamed and sparkled under the new lighting.

‘Delivery from Willow Tree Hall,’ announced Frankie. ‘All locally brewed, which is great, don’t you think?’

It had been an inspired idea by Lily that Frankie should become their new barkeeper. She had never been really suited to being a receptionist, that much they all knew.

He just hadn’t worked up the courage to ask her yet if she wanted the job. But now appeared to be the best time, he realised.

‘The liquor licence has just been sent through,’ said Ben.

‘Great,’ said Frankie. ‘I’ve been looking up some cocktail recipes online for the preview evening next weekend.’

‘Well, last night’s concoction was certainly interesting,’ he told her, before clearing his throat. ‘Listen, I’ve got something to ask you. How does the idea of a sideways promotion strike you?’

‘A what now?’ she asked, frowning.

‘Well, you used to work in a pub, right?’

She nodded.

‘So how would you feel about being our barkeeper when the hotel reopens?’ he asked, bracing himself for an acid reply.

‘I’d love it,’ she said, breaking into a smile.

Because she smiled so rarely, he realised how much softer and younger she looked when she did.

‘I always did,’ she carried on. ‘But we’re less likely to get the scumbags that I used to deal with in that hellhole of a pub. And if we do, I know just how to deal with them.’

Ben gulped. ‘Great,’ he said, with a small amount of trepidation. He’d need to ask his mum to have a word with Frankie about toning down her somewhat strident views on handling people.

‘But what about the reception?’ asked Frankie, frowning. ‘We’ll still need someone out there to handle the guests if I’m busy in here.’

Ben nodded. ‘I guess I could do it,’ he said.

‘Better yet, what about Lily?’ said Frankie.

Ben was delighted. It was an inspired idea, he thought. Much better that it was Lily, who was more discreet, softer and courteous.

‘But then again, isn’t she going to leave when the hotel is finished?’ asked Frankie.

Ben frowned to himself. He hadn’t actually thought about her actually leaving any time soon. He hadn’t wanted to.

And suddenly he realised that he didn’t want her to go. He was beginning to care for her too much.

‘Perhaps if she likes the place, she might just carry on living and working here,’ said Frankie, giving him a knowing look. ‘You know, if there’s something in the hotel that she really likes.’

Ben locked eyes with her but said nothing.

‘In any case, she’s a better idea on reception than you are,’ carried on Frankie. ‘She’s more friendly than you and more organised. I see you as a behind-the-scenes kind of person. You know, so we can keep concealing your grumpiness.’

‘I’m not grumpy,’ protested Ben.

‘Not when Lily’s in the room, anyhow,’ he heard Frankie say as she turned away.

But she’d already left the room and he was left wondering if he’d misheard what she had said.

Besides, he had to work out how to ask Lily to man the reception. He knew she had dreams of having her own design company and it had only ever been a temporary arrangement for her to stay at the hotel. But perhaps she might just remain a little bit longer to help out Hannah and the rest of the family. He knew in his heart that he really wanted her to stay on as well. So he would find the suitable time to ask her. And he was really hoping the answer would be yes.

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