Chapter 33
When the new generator arrived at the end of the month, Noah couldn’t stop himself from smiling at Ben’s delighted reaction.
‘Isn’t it great?’ asked Ben, his face lit up with excitement. ‘It’s like Christmas come early.’
‘Well, Christmas is only a month away,’ replied Noah, looking at the huge metal box placed on a sheltered wall outside of the hotel.
They watched as the two workmen who had arrived with it began to unwrap it ready for installation.
‘It means no more power cuts,’ said Ben. ‘Even when the whole area’s out, we’ll still have electricity. It’s going to stop any food going to waste. We can stay warm and dry but most importantly it means our guests won’t need to leave and we can carry on business as usual.’
Noah could see just how much it meant to his cousin. It had obviously been a huge strain on Ben and the family and now that he understood how precarious the hotel business was, he could see the relief in his cousin’s face.
‘Between this and the lodges, the future’s looking much brighter,’ said Ben. ‘What are your plans for today?’
‘I’m hoping to finish the roof tiles on the last lodge so that will be all four pretty much weatherproofed at last,’ replied Noah.
Ben nodded. ‘Excellent,’ he said. ‘Especially as there’s talk of more high winds early next week. I’ll be over as soon as this is installed.’
‘Okay,’ said Noah. ‘And your grandad is threatening to come over and supervise me at some point with the front door hanging.’
Ben grimaced. ‘Good luck with that. He’ll be desperate to help you.’
‘I know,’ said Noah. ‘And it is a two-man job but both men need to be able to lift those heavy oak doors. Anyway, I’ll do my best to stop him.’
They both exchanged a knowing look of understanding. Even a broken collarbone hadn’t stopped Walter from heading over to the lodges each day, anxious to do what he could to help.
‘He’ll be even worse when that sling comes off in a week’s time,’ said Ben.
Noah nodded. ‘Yeah, we’ll have to do something about that.’
Noah spent most of the morning fixing the remaining roof tiles on lodge number four whilst Walter supervised from his camping chair on the ground below.
But despite Walter’s assurances that he could help with even one arm, Noah just about managed to keep him at bay.
Noah had just come down the ladder when Ben arrived carrying a wicker basket, with Tiny the dog alongside him.
‘Time for a picnic, have you?’ teased Walter, before reaching over to stroke Tiny.
‘Mum thought you both might like some lunch,’ said Ben. ‘But if you’re not hungry, I can return her delicious sandwiches.’
‘Hand them over, lad,’ replied Walter. ‘Being site manager is hungry work.’
Ben laughed and handed Walter the basket before going over to run his hand over the oak front door which was leaning up against the wall ready to be hung. ‘Beautiful wood.’
Noah nodded. He had been pleased at the level of craftsmanship that Ben and Walter were eager to install in the lodges. Where they couldn’t make or create some items, they had made sure that any additions were handcrafted from the best of materials.
‘That’ll do a grand job keeping out yet another storm early next week,’ said Walter, from his chair.
‘If nobody else gets hurt then I’ll be happy,’ replied Ben, wandering over to peek underneath the tea towel on top of the basket to pick up a sandwich. ‘Come and grab something,’ he called across to Noah.
‘I wondered why you had company with you,’ replied Walter, taking a bite of his sandwich as Tiny sat down next to him, his tongue lolling out in hope.
‘Tiny never turns down a meal,’ said Ben.
Noah helped himself to a couple of sandwiches and sat down on the front doorstep. It really was an incredible view, he thought. It would be hard to get bored of looking out at the changing skies and seasons of the countryside all around them day after day.
Tiny gave up on begging Walter for a bite to eat and wandered over to chance his luck with Noah. Unable to resist Tiny’s soulful dark eyes, Noah gave him a slice of ham from his sandwich.
‘Now you’ve done it,’ muttered Walter. ‘He’ll eat the rest of your lunch if you’re not careful.’
Noah shrugged his shoulders. ‘I’m used to going without,’ he replied, without thinking.
During his childhood, he had often missed lunch when his dad had failed to provide him with any food or the funds to purchase something.
A short silence followed as his cousin and uncle exchanged looks and Noah instantly regretted being so honest.
‘Hate the idea of anyone going hungry,’ said Walter, shifting uncomfortably in his chair.
‘We let you down,’ said Ben, shaking his head.
‘I survived,’ Noah told them. ‘It just means that I don’t need to depend on anyone else.’
Ben was still frowning. ‘I had no idea things were so bad for you. If only you’d said something.’ Then he appeared to correct himself. ‘But of course you wouldn’t. It wasn’t your place to speak up. You were just a child.’
Noah was touched by their concern. ‘I was fine. Well, no. Obviously I wasn’t but here I am. All fit and healthy.’
But his cousin and uncle weren’t to be put off so easily.
‘It was neglect,’ said Walter, shaking his head. ‘I never knew. I’m sorry, lad.’
‘It wasn’t your fault,’ Noah told them.
And it was true. He didn’t blame anyone for the tough times in his childhood. It was just how it had been for him, year after year, until he could take control and make sure that he was never hungry again.
‘You’re family,’ said Walter, in a shaky voice. ‘That doesn’t happen to my family. Or rather, it shouldn’t have happened under my watch.’
Uncomfortable at the attention, Noah reached out to stroke Tiny’s soft fur.
‘Dogs are very sensitive animals,’ carried on Walter. ‘They sense who they can trust.’
‘Maybe he’s wrong,’ joked Noah. He tried to shift the enormous dog from leaning against him with no luck.
‘I don’t think he is,’ said Walter. ‘Besides, I’m not going to argue with Tiny, are you?’
‘Who’s arguing with Tiny?’ asked Alex, appearing at the front door suddenly.
‘Nobody in their right mind,’ replied Ben.
Alex looked down at where Tiny was still leaning against Noah.
‘He’s really taken to you, hasn’t he?’ A frown crossed his forehead. ‘Hang on. You didn’t give him any food, did you?’
Noah shifted awkwardly. ‘He seemed hungry so I gave him a bit of my ham sandwich,’ he confessed.
Alex laughed. ‘Oh, you’ve done it now,’ he said. ‘You’re his best friend for ever. He’s a total scavenger.’
‘Sorry,’ Noah told him.
But Alex just shook his head. ‘No worries but he’s all about the ham now!’
Noah looked down and realised that Tiny was looking up at him in both adoration and expectation at the sandwich in his other hand.
Then he joined in the laughter of the other men, feeling lighter than he had in a very long time.
The conversation might have been awkward for a while but he found that he didn’t mind being honest with his family these days. They were all beginning to understand each other and grow closer because of it.
Even more surprising was the thought that he was enjoying living and working at Maple Tree Lodge. He reminded himself that it was only for the winter but still, he would miss it when he finally had to depart.
For now, he was grateful that his time to leave was a few months away yet.