Chapter 33
In the entrance hall, the reception area was now warm and inviting with photos of the hotel and lake adorning every wall, thanks to Dotty’s skills as a photographer.
A comfortable chair had appeared, as well as an old desk that had been polished and smartened up by a jug of seasonal flowers, arranged by his mum.
The wall next to the staircase had been painted a dark green which made the double-height room seem much more cosy and the oak balustrade was now entwined with fairy lights which gave a soft romantic feel in the dark winter light.
He then went into the lounge, which was now inviting as well as comfortable.
Lily had somehow managed to tone down the almost overwhelming feeling of leather and wood.
Now there were lots of cushions along the sofas and armchairs, as well as blankets dotted about.
There was no carpet downstairs but instead large, fluffy rugs had been placed, giving the sense of softness.
Thick pillar candles and flowers on the tables added to the whole luxurious feel of the place.
Above the stone fireplace was an old mirror and candlesticks, entwined with fairy lights and various fake pumpkins and leaves in velvet and silk, giving the place an autumnal seasonal twist which matched the view outside.
Either side of the hearth there was more ironwork and hurricane lamps, gleaming in the reflection of the soft flames.
In addition, there were a couple of piles of old books which added to the comfortable, lived-in feel of the place.
His mum and Dotty had dug out lots of spare items from their storage and eagerly donated them to the cause, which made him realise that it still felt like home.
But one that he was proud to share with their guests, if they ever arrived.
He smiled to himself. Lily had done an amazing job.
He could even see himself sitting down in the lounge on a winter’s evening, sharing a bottle of wine with Lily, the Christmas tree lights twinkling and listening to the crackling of the logs.
But, of course, she wouldn’t be there, he realised, with a frown.
But at least she had been prepared to stay until the opening of the hotel, to ensure the smooth running of everything.
And besides, he thought, trying to cheer himself up, perhaps she could treat herself and come back when it was open to guests. If she wanted to, of course.
He looked up as his grandmother came into the lounge, holding a couple of newly framed photographs.
‘All done,’ said Dotty, placing them on the mantelpiece.
‘I’ve just taken a peek in the bedrooms and they look tremendous,’ said Walter, with a huge smile, from the doorway.
‘Even the coffee machines?’ asked Ben, raising his eyebrows in good humour.
Walter gave him a look. ‘Actually I’ve been thinking that it will be nice for our guests to have some hot drinks in their room.’
There was a flurry of exchanged looks between Ben and Dotty which Walter picked up on.
‘I’m not a dinosaur,’ he told them. ‘Some of the modern ideas do work. After all, I upgraded from that old lathe to that new precision one with a cutting edge, didn’t I?’
‘Welcome to the twenty-first century,’ murmured Dotty, with a knowing smile.
Outside, his mother was arranging a couple of chrysanthemum bushes on the veranda and either side of the front door. Their autumnal hues matched the feel of the place perfectly, as well as the new wreath on the front door.
He was pleased to see his mother enjoying her gardening once more, encouraged by Lily.
What a difference she had made to everyone’s lives, he thought.
He went into the snug, although he had been reminded over and over that they really should change the name when the guests arrived. But in actual fact, he liked the name. It suited the space entirely and besides, nobody seemed to be able to break the habit anyway.
He went through the door and the change in décor hit him once more. It was another mixture of earthy colour palette, rustic textures and vintage finds.
Here three of the walls had once more been covered up, leaving only the wall on the lake side wooden clad. The rest had been painted a deep and yet warm navy blue. The dark colour scheme was enlivened by touches of rich gold, such as the candlesticks, picture frames and mirror.
He had forked out for the additional expense of some leather armchairs and sofas but he had to concede that they looked great. With soft rugs once more laid across the floorboards, it was a relaxed, welcoming space.
In the corner there was a dart board and they had even found an old snooker table which, once it had been re-covered, fitted in perfectly. In the corners of the room there were also soft lamps, giving off a comfortable warm ambiance.
Lily had discovered some old board games which were piled up on the new bookcase, along with yet more books and even some old LPs alongside his dad’s record player.
It touched Ben to see things that his dad had cherished.
As if he were alongside them now, cheering them on.
There was even an old chess set that had been polished up and made ready for a game.
But best of all was the bar which had been refitted by none other than Dodgy Del.
Despite being a calamity in so many ways, his electrician skills had been spot on and he had fitted rows of LED lights behind the bar, in warm white.
The oak bar itself had then been buffed and waxed many times until it gleamed under the soft spotlights.
Behind the bar was the drinks cabinet, once more softened with warm lighting. Fairy lights trailed across the ceiling, with a couple of brighter LED lights over the pool table.
It was a place for people to linger in, to relax and enjoy themselves. Ben was thrilled with the result.
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.