Page 5 of The Wisteria Tree Cottage

‘Oh my god, will you look at those treehouses,’ Emma said.

‘I feel like we’re in Disneyland,’ Jason said. ‘It’s so wonderful.’

Bear couldn’t help feeling proud as he looked at it through the guests’ eyes. The treehouses were so unique and quirky and he loved seeing the customers’ excitement when they arrived.

‘That one has a helter-skelter slide, does ours have a slide?’

‘I think it does,’ Bear said. ‘Although perhaps given your condition, you might want to give that one a miss.’

‘Spoilsport. You non-pregnant folk get to have all the fun,’ Emma said.

‘When are you due?’ Bear said, taking the slightly longer coastal path over the cliff tops so it would be less bumpy for them and so they could enjoy the spectacular view of the sea that stretched out for miles before disappearing into a pink hazy horizon.

‘Not for another five weeks yet, we thought we’d get away for a few days, make the most of the quiet nights before our lives change forever,’ Emma said, fondly stroking her belly.

‘Well, you’ve come to the right place for a bit of rest and relaxation. There is a festival happening here for the next few days but your treehouse is very far away from it so you won’t hear any noise and it’s not a festival in the Glastonbury sense, it’s more of a back-to-nature, wood-whittling, harp-playing, flower-garlands kind of thing. Feel free to come and have a look or just chill out in your treehouse.’

‘Thank you, we’ll probably be going out for a few little walks and to see the sights, but nothing too strenuous,’ Jason said.

Bear pulled up outside Honeysuckle Cottage just as Felix, one of their grounds crew, was pulling out a weed at the bottom of their steps.

‘This is Felix, your own personal gardener,’ Bear teased.

Felix laughed and started helping Bear take the bags off the back of the buggy. Jason went ahead to open the door and Bear headed up the stairs with Felix and placed the bags inside the treehouse.

Emma came up last and stepped inside, her eyes lighting up in wonder. ‘This is magical, thank you.’

She hurried off to explore, squealing as she no doubt saw the skylight above the bed.

‘Thank you,’ Jason said, offering out a tip.

Bear shook his head. ‘Oh no, thank you, but it’s not that sort of place where you give tips. It’s all part of the service. Enjoy your stay.’

‘We will, thank you.’

Bear and Felix went back downstairs.

‘Thanks mate,’ Bear said, getting back into the buggy. ‘Can I offer you a ride anywhere?’

‘No, I’m good.’ Felix rested his arm on top of the buggy and leaned in as if he was about to discuss something private or salacious. ‘Greta said that Meadow has signed up for online dating with Connected Hearts.’

Bear smiled. He loved working here but the staff thrived on gossip.

‘Yes, that’s correct.’

‘And you, are you going to do it too?’

Bear cocked his head wondering where Felix was going with this. ‘Yes, I said I’d do it with her.’

Felix nodded. ‘Interesting.’

And with that, he walked away smiling as if he’d found the Holy Grail.

Bear drove back through the woods, smiling at two children who were chasing each other with water pistols, and pulled up outside reception again.

He walked back in to see Meadow scowling at her computer.

‘Problem?’

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