Chapter 40
‘What a great evening,’ declared Dotty over breakfast the following morning.
‘Yes,’ said Ben, nodding. ‘It certainly was.’
He glanced at Lily, who was sitting on the opposite side of the table and smiled as her cheeks grew pink. She was clearly remembering their kiss and he had spent most of a sleepless night thinking of nothing else as well.
He knew that she had felt the connection between them as well. He knew from the way she had kissed him back, passionately. And yet he knew her so well these days that he also understood why she was holding back from him. Her fear of trusting that she had tried to explain to him.
He respected her wishes, of course. And yet he hadn’t been able to stop thinking about the kiss all night, almost driven mad with the thought of her soft lips against hers.
‘Everyone we knew came,’ said Walter, who was looking very relaxed and basking in the success of the evening.
‘And they brought along people we didn’t know, thanks to Del,’ added Frankie. ‘Well, he probably owed us a favour or two after everything.’
‘Have you seen this?’ piped up Ella, who had been staring at her phone. ‘That travel blogger has posted her review already.’
She held out her phone and Ben took a nervous gulp before forcing himself to read aloud from the screen.
‘Deep in the heart of the forest, historic Maple Tree Lodge makes for an idyllic lakeside escape. It has cosy bedrooms, wood-burning fireplaces and a luxurious and yet relaxing feel. The main lounge has comfortable sofas from which you’ll not want to move away from the view.
But if you can muster up the energy, a walk around the lake will pay dividends.
The air is fresh, the walk sublime and the view will soothe away any stresses.
Be warned – there’s no mobile signal away from the wi-fi in the hotel so prepare for a much-needed digital detox.
‘Once back in the hotel, make time to have a delicious cocktail in the snug, where the bar shimmers among the many fairy lights and there’s even time for a game of snooker, if you can tear yourself away from the amazing view, that is.
Book a stay at Maple Tree Lodge and you’ll come away relaxed, revived and restored.
And probably wanting to book a second stay as well. ’
There was a short silence before everyone started talking and laughing at once.
‘This is tremendous,’ said Ben, feeling instantly buoyed up. He couldn’t stop himself from looking across at Lily. ‘What a review!’
‘That’s amazing!’ she said, beaming from ear to ear. ‘Isn’t it great? We need to upload it to the website with some quotes ASAP.’
‘I agree,’ he replied, checking his own phone. ‘And I’ve just had even better news. We’ve got a couple of bookings for next weekend! We’re off and running!’
A huge cheer went up around the table and everyone was in high spirits.
‘Well, I’m glad to be leaving you all with everything going so well,’ announced Alex, standing up. ‘But I’ve got to get back home as I’ve got a plane to catch later.’
‘Where are you off to this time?’ asked Faye.
‘Australia,’ Alex told her. ‘A bit of climate training before the Commonwealth Games.’ He gave a nervous grimace.
‘You’ll be fine,’ said Faye, stepping forward to give him a hug.
‘Wish I was going with you instead,’ Jake told him, looking gloomy that he had to return to his normal restaurant job and leave the family once more.
With Beth and Ella leaving as well to get back to their day jobs, the hotel felt a little quieter despite everyone being in high spirits that day.
Walter was whistling to himself as he brought in some more logs for the fires.
Hannah was also looking pleased with herself, buoyed up by the positive feedback from so many visitors who had complimented her on her cakes.
But best of all was their grandmother. Dotty was fizzing with energy as she buzzed around the hotel.
‘What’s got into you today?’ asked Frankie over dinner that evening. ‘Have you been helping yourself to my bar?’
Dotty laughed and shook her head. ‘Not yet! I don’t know what I feel today.
I saw so many friends last night who I haven’t seen in a long time.
’ Her smile faded a little as she reached out to squeeze Faye’s hand.
‘And we all know why I hid myself away for so long, grieving. I mean, I loved Tony. We all did. And we always will. But I have to carry on, for his sake and for mine, to be honest.’
‘He would have wanted all of us to do that,’ murmured Faye, squeezing her mother-in-law’s hand.
‘Well, last night was certainly a great first step,’ said Ben.
‘It was,’ replied his grandmother. ‘The only thing missing was some music.’
‘Oh, yes, that’s what I thought,’ said Lily, nodding.
‘I love to dance,’ said Dotty in a dreamy voice. ‘It’s been too long.’ She suddenly gave a start and looked down at her husband at the other end of the table. ‘Walter,’ she said. ‘Are you thinking what I’m thinking?’
He broke into a wide smile. ‘Well, why not?’ he replied.
Ben looked between his grandparents, somewhat bemused. ‘Could someone enlighten the rest of us who don’t have telepathic communication?’ he asked.
‘The Dragonfly Dance,’ announced Walter, with a wink.
‘The what?’ asked Ben, nonplussed.
‘Oh, I remember!’ said Hannah, her eyes lighting up. ‘It was some kind of party, wasn’t it?’
Dotty nodded. ‘We used to have a dance every year on Valentine’s Day,’ she replied.
‘When did you last hold one?’ asked Lily.
Walter blew out a sigh as he thought. ‘Probably twenty years ago,’ he said.
‘Longer than that,’ Faye told him. ‘The kids were only little when we had the last one, I think.’
‘I just remember peeking through the bannisters and seeing everyone all dressed up,’ said Hannah, in a dreamy voice.
‘So it’s a party?’ asked Lily.
‘It’s a celebration,’ Walter told her.
‘Of what?’ asked Ben, still unable to recall any kind of party. ‘And why did I think it happened at Christmas time?’
‘That was a different party,’ said Dotty, waving her hand as if it were unimportant. ‘This is better. This is unique. Dragonflies symbolise new beginnings, rejuvenation, if you will.’
‘It’s said that they symbolise a stripping away of negativity, enabling us to achieve all our hopes and dreams,’ added Walter.
‘Well, if that’s not an excuse for a party then I don’t know what is!’ said Lily, laughing.
‘They remind us that anything is possible,’ said Dotty, with a soft smile.
Even saving a hotel? Ben wondered whether it was true. He hoped the dance would make all of their hopes and dreams come true, even the ones only he dreamt about, he thought as he looked once more at Lily.
He wondered whether they could ever be anything but just friends, despite him wanting so much more.