Chapter 37
On the day of the preview evening, Lily lay in bed for a while, mentally running through everything on her checklist.
The hotel itself was ready for its grand unveiling to any locals that might yet decide to show up that night. She and Ben were still concerned about the lack of replies as to who was coming but the show had to go on, they had decided. If only for the family’s sake.
Everyone had contributed to the evening and it felt very much like a family affair.
Faye had designed some lovely flower arrangements that had been placed around the ground floor.
After some persuading by everyone, Hannah was going to make some delicious cakes that would serve as desserts.
Walter had made good on his promise to ensure that there were twenty or so floating wicker baskets with candles which would be cast onto the lake later that evening at sunset.
Frankie had stocked the bar full of every conceivable drink.
Even Dotty had shown an unexpected gift for calligraphy as she had drawn and painted the signs and menus to be placed around where needed.
That just left the final checks to be done.
Lily leapt out of bed, threw on her jeans and sweater and headed downstairs.
The noise coming out of the kitchen sounded very lively, thanks to the addition of their friends who had come to support them.
She was about to join them when she heard movement in the snug and went to investigate.
Heading through the lounge, she reached out to plump up a few of the cushions as she went but she was so pleased with how it looked.
She went through the doorway into the snug and she thought that no matter how many times she went into that particular room, she would be thrilled by the difference.
It was a warm-feeling room, airy but cosy, thanks to the dark blue walls behind the bar. That was already lit with fairy lights, giving it a magical air. The snooker table was laid out ready for its first game and the whole room looked wonderful.
‘Morning,’ said Frankie from behind the bar. ‘Couldn’t sleep for nerves so I had to come in and triple check everything.’
‘I know the feeling,’ said Lily, slipping onto one of the leather stools in front of the bar. ‘Do you think you’re all set?’
‘I reckon so,’ replied Frankie, with a nod.
Lily cleared her throat, feeling a little nervous. ‘About the strength of the cocktails later,’ she began.
But Frankie held up a hand. ‘Ben’s already had a word. Quite a few. Far too many, in actual fact.’
‘Oh.’
Frankie shrugged her shoulders. ‘I’ll get over it. I just need to be a drama queen for a bit. Look, I know some of the ones I’ve been making for the family have been a bit strong.’
‘A bit?’ murmured Lily.
Frankie grinned. ‘Yeah, but it was fun, wasn’t it?’ She laughed. ‘But listen, I get that this is a business so of course I’m not going to make them strong and use up all our lovely alcohol.’
‘OK,’ said Lily slowly.
‘Look, if you don’t believe me, here’s the cocktail menu for tonight.’
Frankie held out a card onto which Lily could see Dotty’s beautiful calligraphy had written about six different cocktails.
Lily took the card and skimmed the words. ‘Half of these are non-alcoholic,’ she said, in surprise.
Frankie folded her arms in front of her in a defensive manner. ‘Yeah, well, sometimes I drink water, you know. Just to surprise my liver and keep it on its toes, obviously.’
‘Obviously,’ repeated Lily.
‘And besides, quite a few of the locals will be driving and not everyone wants alcohol, the mad fools.’ Frankie smiled at Lily before it faded into concern. ‘You think it’s going to be a success tonight?’
Lily held up her crossed fingers. ‘Let’s hope so.’
Frankie nodded. ‘Too early for a drink, I suppose?’ she said, with a grin. ‘Just to settle the nerves, that is!’
‘Think I’ll stick to coffee just for now,’ said Lily, giving her a wink.
She left Frankie in the snug to join the throng in the kitchen.
Jake had been staying with them for a few nights to organise the buffet whereas Alex, Beth and Ella had only arrived the evening before. It had been Ella’s first time meeting Jake and suffice to say they hadn’t exactly hit it off.
His smooth playboy charm had instantly rubbed Ella’s cool control up the wrong way and when Lily joined them in the kitchen they appeared to be carrying on from the previous evening’s bickering.
‘I’m not arguing with you, Jake,’ Ella was saying with her hands on her hips in front of the breakfast bar. ‘I’m merely explaining why I’m right and you’re wrong.’
‘Good morning,’ said Lily in a bright tone of voice. ‘How is everyone?’
‘Loud,’ muttered Alex as he poured himself a coffee. He held out a mug for Lily and offered her a drink as well.
‘Yes, please,’ she replied.
‘Listen, it would take too long for me to explain to your dim little brain about how influencers work,’ carried on Ella to Jake.
‘The translation being that you have no idea how they work,’ said Jake, before looking down at the tomatoes he had been chopping. ‘All I know is that they seem lacking in substance.’
‘Something you would know all about,’ Ella told him in a triumphant tone before walking over to the table.
Lily joined her and the rest of the family who were all chatting excitedly about the evening ahead. Only Ben seemed quiet and she looked at him with raised eyebrows. He merely gave her a shrug and held up two crossed fingers. She nodded, feeling his nerves across the table.
After a quick breakfast, Lily headed into the dining room to start preparing the tables, helped by Hannah, Beth and Ella.
‘What was all that about with Jake?’ asked Lily.
Ella rolled her eyes. ‘He overheard me saying that I was considering becoming a social influencer and it all went downhill from there.’
‘You’re serious then?’ asked Hannah.
Ella nodded. ‘I think I’ve had enough of working for other people. Anyway, I think I’d be really good at it.’
‘Of course you would,’ said Beth, ever positive. ‘I think it’s an amazing idea.’
Ella broke into a smile. ‘Well, I’ll need my besties’ support when I get started, so thanks.’
‘We’ll be there cheering you on every step of the way,’ promised Lily.
At that moment Ben passed by the doorway and Lily stopped to watch him briefly before turning her attention back to folding napkins.
However, Ella had spotted her looking.
‘Hey,’ she said. ‘By the way, did I interrupt something last night when I found you and Ben by the shore?’
Lily instantly shook her head. ‘No. It was nothing.’
‘Nothing, huh?’ Ella raised her eyebrows. ‘Nothing was making you two stand awfully close to each other.’
Hannah sucked in a breath. ‘Wow! Is something going on between you and my brother?’
‘No!’ began Lily before hesitating. She was still not comfortable with opening up with them but they were her best friends and she had promised that she would be more honest with them. So she forced herself to carry on. ‘Well, maybe a little something. I don’t know.’
‘Aha!’ said Ella, looking triumphant.
‘This is so exciting,’ said Hannah. ‘My future sister-in-law!’
‘It’s so romantic,’ said Beth with a sigh.
Lily rolled her eyes. ‘I think you’re all getting slightly ahead of the current situation. Nothing has happened yet.’
‘So you haven’t kissed?’ asked Hannah.
Lily shook her head.
‘But you want to, right?’ asked Beth.
Lily hesitated before finally closing her eyes and nodding. It was the truth. She couldn’t deny it to herself any longer.
‘But please don’t say anything,’ she urged her friends. ‘I mean, we’re getting along really well, me and Ben. I just don’t want to ruin whatever it is that we have.’
‘Or what you might have in the future,’ said Beth, still looking starry-eyed.
‘Right,’ said Ella in a firm tone. ‘So no blabbing,’ she added, looking at Hannah and Beth. ‘Promise?’
‘Promise,’ they chorused in return.
Lily gulped, still blushing and feeling embarrassed about opening up about her tentative feelings for Ben.
She waited for the inevitable regret and yet, to her surprise, it didn’t come. Instead, she felt a lightening of the burden that she had been carrying around for a while. Absolutely no regrets. Just the support and love that only true friends could provide.
And she found herself smiling and giggling with her best friends as they carried on working.