Page 95 of Coming Home to Maple Tree Lodge

Dotty was looking tearful as she hugged Lily goodbye.

‘We shall miss you,’ said Dotty, in a tremulous voice.

‘She’s coming back to visit us, isn’t she?’ said Walter. But even his usual bluster couldn’t hide the emotion in his voice. ‘Hannah says she’s invited her for Easter.’

‘Of course I’m coming back to visit,’ Lily assured them, nodding. ‘Just try and keep me away!’

But the truth was that she wasn’t sure that she could handle coming back on an infrequent basis. The goodbyes were much harder than anything she had ever endured. And then there was Ben to face over and over.

This was why she had never allowed anyone to get too close to her, she reminded herself. This was what she had beenavoiding all these years. The hurt and pain that she felt in her heart at that moment.

‘You’ve got your hotel, haven’t you?’ asked Walter, sounding gruff.

Lily nodded. ‘The doll’s house is safely wrapped up on the back seat.’

Walter gave a shrug. ‘Something for you to remember us by,’ he muttered.

‘I’ll never forget you, Walter.’ She stepped forward to give him a hug.

As she stepped back, he told her, ‘Remember, we made it together, me and Ben.’ He fixed her with fierce grey eyes and she nodded in understanding. It was Ben’s gift to her as well.

She gulped away the tears as Faye gave her an enormous bear hug.

‘Don’t work too hard and please come back and see us,’ she whispered.

‘Of course,’ replied Lily, holding her close.

Last, there was only Ben, who had finally appeared to head over towards the taxi. They stood awkwardly in silence for a few moments as the rest of the family discreetly stepped away.

Not known for his tact, Dodgy Del looked between them and, with a small shake of his head, got into the driving seat of the taxi to wait for her.

‘Well, I’ll let you know my new address just as soon as I’ve got the full details,’ said Lily, in a bright tone. ‘In case there’s any problems back here there’s a checklist under the counter of the reception desk.’

‘I saw it, thanks. But I’m sure we’ll be fine,’ he told her.

‘Well, just in case, I’m always happy to help with any queries.’ Lily avoided his eyes and glanced up at the hotel. But even that didn’t make her feel better. If anything, it just reminded her how lovely the place was and how much she would miss it.

But she was being foolish, she reminded herself. It was all about following her dream career.

Ben suddenly spoke again. ‘Thank you.’

‘For what?’ she asked, as she turned her gaze back onto him.

‘For doing this all of this for my family,’ he told her.

She found she was shaking her head. ‘I did it for me, to be honest.’ She hesitated before adding, ‘And I did it for you too.’

He took a sharp intake of breath before they allowed themselves the luxury of one last hug. With a shaky sigh, she finally drew back.

‘I’ll miss you,’ she blurted out.

His eyes widened a little before becoming dark once more. ‘Me too,’ he replied. ‘But you’re planning on coming back soon, right?’

She accepted the lie gratefully even though neither of them believed it.

‘Just as soon as I’m settled. Well, I’ll see you soon,’ she said, her voice husky with emotion.

‘See you soon,’ he told her.