Chapter 7
Lily woke up the following morning after a great night’s sleep.
Being used to the constant traffic noise outside her bedroom window, as well as her boisterous flatmates who didn’t need an excuse for a party, meant that she wasn’t used to the quiet hotel. So it had taken her some time to fall asleep in the peaceful surroundings.
But after a solid seven hours’ sleep, she felt invigorated, feeling as if she could take on the world that day. Which was good because she was going to talk to Ben that morning with her interior design pitch for the hotel and, fingers crossed, it would lead to a whole new business of her very own.
Before getting into bed the previous night, she had spotted a new tag on the end of the bed and she remembered Frankie telling her that all the beds were new.
Well, she thought, whoever had updated the mattresses could at least know that it was money well spent.
It had been like floating on a cloud, she said to herself with a smile, running her hand across the soft material beneath her.
However, the bed was one of the few high points in the bedroom, she thought, sitting up once more. Despite the amazing mattress, the room was too stark. The bare floors and plain white linen on the bed seemed at odds with the cosy, charming hotel and its countryside setting.
She thought back to Walter’s story the previous evening and how he had told her that it had been in the Jackson family for five generations. It seemed to her quite unbelievable for a family to stay in one place for so long. She couldn’t imagine living anywhere for any length of time.
And yet, she thought, as she rose to open the bedroom curtains, she could certainly see the appeal of the place.
She was instantly enveloped in the wonderful view in front of her, both visually and, opening the window a little to let in some fresh air, with the sound of birdsong filling the bedroom as well.
Along with the chorus of birds chattering and singing amongst the trees, there was also the call of the coots and ducks on the sparkling water of the lake.
A soft breeze rustled the leaves of the nearby trees and fluffy white clouds drifted lazily around the cobalt-blue sky before disappearing behind the green rolling hills surrounding them.
The sun was beginning to climb its way into the sky and Lily felt herself yearning to be outside which, for a city dweller, was something of a surprise.
She saw movement beyond the trees in the far distance and realised that it was a steam train puffing its way through the countryside. How wonderful, she thought.
It was a completely magical setting. Like being in a Disney movie or something. She wondered what it would be like to wake up with that view each morning. How could anyone be tense living here?
And yet she had picked up on a strained atmosphere the previous evening.
Despite the family chatter full of small talk and the delicious meal, Ben and his grandfather had seemed at odds.
Unable to even look each other in the eye, she had realised afterwards when she had thought back over the evening.
It saddened her to see a rift in an otherwise loving family.
Especially as there was a warmth between them all, such a contrast to her own parents who merely seemed interested in her work whenever she spoke to them.
Hannah’s family had seemed interested in Lily as a whole person.
Although that caused other problems, with Lily at pains not to try and get too close to them all.
After all, if she received the commission for the hotel then the job would be finished and she would leave once more.
Relationships, apart from with her three best friends, were fleeting.
So it was always best not to get too close, regardless of how charming the family were.
She focused her mind back on Maple Tree Lodge and spun around to face the bedroom once more.
Instantly the ideas rushed forward and she could see exactly how she would decorate the place.
It needed soft colours everywhere, she decided, looking around.
Perhaps some warm colours on a couple of the walls, keeping the logs on show as well.
Then she would add a lamp, pictures, rugs and cushions.
Definitely carpet as well, soft and luxurious under the feet.
She always got a tingle inside her stomach when she hit upon the right idea for a place and this time was no different.
Everything she had in mind would make it feel more comfortable and cosy but luxurious and modern as well.
It would be perfect, she decided with a determined nod. She couldn’t wait to tell Ben.
She got dressed and, thanks to her amazing night’s sleep, she felt a spring in her step as she headed downstairs to the hotel reception.
Her stomach rumbling, she hesitated for a moment, wondering where to go for breakfast. She went into the lounge where she had shared a drink with Hannah the night before but there was no one there.
She peeped through an open doorway into what appeared to be a large dining room but that was dark and obviously not used at the moment.
Finally, and feeling a little embarrassed, she went into the family kitchen where she had enjoyed dinner the previous evening. Faye looked up from behind the island in the middle of the work area and smiled.
‘Good morning!’ she said. ‘How did you sleep?’
‘Good morning,’ replied Lily. ‘I had a great night’s sleep, thank you. It’s so quiet here compared to the all the noise I get outside my bedroom window back in London.’ She made a face. ‘My room overlooks a busy railway junction.’
‘Poor you. Sit down and I’ll rustle you up some breakfast,’ Faye told her.
‘I’m sorry. I didn’t know where to go,’ Lily told her, feeling a little embarrassed. ‘The dining room was empty.’
‘Nonsense,’ replied Faye. ‘You ended up in exactly the right place. Now, what can I get you? Fruit? Eggs? Toast?’
‘Toast would be lovely, thank you,’ said Lily. ‘Can I help?’
‘Oh, this is easy compared to the old days,’ Faye told her, with a wave of her hand. ‘I used to prepare breakfast for all the guests on the odd occasion when we were full.’
She sounded a little wistful and Lily guessed that perhaps Faye was thinking of her late husband. Perhaps it was a lot busier in those days.
‘I was thinking that it must be a beautiful place to wake up here every day,’ said Lily.
Faye nodded. ‘I thought so from the moment Tony brought me here. Ben and Hannah seemed to thrive growing up here as well. They were always messing about in the woods and on the lake.’
Gradually the family wandered in over the next half an hour to join them at the table for breakfast.
Frankie was first, heading straight for the coffee pot which had already percolated and was ready to be drunk.
Dotty followed almost immediately afterwards, greeting everyone with a warm smile.
‘Good morning, all,’ she announced, pouring herself a glass of cranberry juice before sitting down at the table.
‘I looked out of the window this morning and the maples are finally beginning to turn.’ She sighed happily.
‘What’s that quote? The leaves are changing and poetry is in the air. ’
Frankie sat down with a large mug. ‘I don’t need an inspirational quote in the morning,’ she said. ‘I just need coffee.’
‘You should switch to rose tea,’ Dotty told her. ‘It’s a great anti-inflammatory.’
Frankie shook her head. ‘Caffeine helps maintain my sunny personality.’
‘Is that what we’re calling it?’ murmured Faye, giving her friend a smile.
Walter also wasn’t feeling particularly sunny when he joined them.
‘Nearly tripped over that damn scaffold in the hall,’ he said, with a scowl.
‘Did you hurt yourself?’ asked Faye, looking concerned.
‘Course not,’ said Walter. ‘I’ll be glad when the thing’s taken down though.’
Ben, who had followed his grandad into the kitchen, remained quiet as he helped himself to a mug of coffee.
Soon everyone was sitting down to eat their breakfast. Only Hannah was missing, obviously taking advantage of a lie-in after all the late nights at work recently. She had told Lily that she was exhausted, often staying late after closing time at the pub to help out with tidying up.
‘So how long is the hotel closed for?’ asked Lily, who had been wondering what extensive works had occurred so far.
The family turned to look at her as one.
‘It’s not actually closed to guests,’ said Faye in a faltering voice, flicking a nervous look between Walter and Ben.
‘Oh. Sorry,’ said Lily, feeling aghast at her error. ‘I just assumed with the building works…’
Her voice trailed off.
‘And that’s the problem,’ said Walter, with a frown. ‘Our guests agree. All this unnecessary building stuff is keeping them away.’
Ben said nothing but Lily noticed there was a slight shake of his head as if to himself. She could have kicked herself for creating more tension in the air before she talked to Ben about the commission.
Breakfast continued in a stilted silence as everyone finished their meal.
‘I need to go check on the sluices,’ said Walter, getting up from the table.
‘And I’m heading into Aldwych,’ said Frankie. ‘I need to go to the bank and see if they can lend me a million pounds.’
‘I’ll join you,’ said Faye. ‘I need some bits from the supermarket. What about you, Dotty?’
Dotty nodded. ‘I might come in and see what the charity shops have got in recently,’ she replied.
‘You can join us if you’d like?’ suggested Frankie, looking down at Lily.
‘Thanks but I’m busy this morning,’ said Lily, before looking across at Ben. ‘We’re going to discuss design ideas for the bedrooms.’
‘No time like the present,’ he replied, reaching out to top up his coffee mug from the pot.
‘We’ll leave you to it then,’ said Frankie, shooting Lily a grin and crossing two fingers behind Ben’s back before she walked away.
Once everyone else had left and she was alone in the kitchen with Ben, Lily still felt bad about her blunder.
‘I’m sorry about what I said earlier about the building works. I didn’t mean to cause an argument,’ she said quickly.
‘You didn’t,’ replied Ben, with a soft sigh. ‘The original argument never finished so it’s just a continuation of the same one over and over.’
Lily looked at him. ‘But I’m sure it’ll all be worthwhile when the renovations are complete. Then the guests will return again.’
He smiled without humour. ‘You’re assuming we had any guests in the first place,’ he told her.
‘I don’t understand,’ she told him, feeling puzzled. ‘This place is amazing. What happened?’
‘Tastes change, I guess,’ he replied. ‘And my father didn’t keep up with them.
He and my grandfather thought that the hotel should remain the same as it had always been.
The trouble was that the regular guests began to stay away for longer or, worse, not return here at all.
’ He appeared to deliberately brighten himself up.
‘Anyway, with your skills with design, I’m sure the guests will be returning in droves. ’
‘Let’s hope so,’ replied Lily. ‘I have had some ideas for the bedrooms, if you want to hear them.’
‘Of course,’ nodded Ben, suddenly looking concerned. ‘We just don’t have the budget for anything fancy, if you haven’t noticed.’
‘I understand,’ she told him. ‘I’m used to working on a tight budget.’
‘Thank goodness for that,’ he said, looking relieved. ‘Well, that’s great news. I must say, I was thrilled when I looked up your firm. It’s just the aesthetic that I think we need. Minimal, sharp and modern.’
Lily found she was trying hard not to let her jaw drop open in shock. Minimal? Modern?
‘Really?’ she said, her voice a little high. She cleared her throat. ‘My own ideas were more inspired by the outdoors. All those soft greens and blues of the lake and sky. Other touches of colour, such as pale yellows and pinks, that would really smarten up the place but also keep it cosy.’
‘Cosy?’ Ben shook his head. ‘No. That’s definitely not the vibe we’re going for.
’ He looked at her with piercing brown eyes.
‘I’m amazed that this is your idea. I looked up your portfolio last week when Hannah mentioned you.
Your company is an exact match for what I wanted.
If not, then perhaps I should look elsewhere… ’
‘No!’ Lily almost shouted the word, such was her horror that her dream project would slip away from her before it had even begun. ‘I mean, you’re the customer. Of course, if it’s stark minimalism you want then I can provide that.’
‘Good,’ said Ben, standing up, not catching on to her sarcastic tone. ‘So where do we go from here?’
‘I can get you some rough sketches by the end of the day,’ she told him. ‘I’ve got my laptop with me so I can show you my vision. If you can give me some kind of timeline and budget then we can exchange ideas and hopefully get started.’
‘Excellent,’ he told her, with a smile. ‘I’m glad we’re on the same page.’
As he left the kitchen, Lily sank back in her chair with a groan. It was an utter disaster. On the same page? They were at total odds with both taste and ideas.
If she agreed to do the work on his terms, it went against every instinct of her creative soul. If she walked out instead, then she was left with no work at all.
What on earth was she going to do?