Tuesday morning is a blur of activity as we scramble to prepare for the plumber's visit. In Jake's compact kitchen, it's like a game of Tetris as we juggle limited counter space to make breakfast.

Aislinn could have stayed back, but she insists on joining us for this errand, eager to explore any hidden passages that may lurk in the old mansion. Jake and I share a chuckle at her enthusiasm, but who knows, she might be onto something. We finally arrive at 7 am, with Andy the plumber already waiting for us. I offer my apologies for being late, blaming our delay on my extended shower time and Jake's recent tendency to join me. The introduction is quick before we head inside, while Aislinn darts up the grand staircase in search of mysteries to uncover.

Andy's clipboard is filled with a daunting checklist of items to ensure compliance with local laws. As he crawls beneath the sink, his swift movements signal his expertise in plumbing. I watch, amazed, as he deciphers the document, filled with jargon and technical terms. It's then that I realise plumbing is more than just pipes and drains. After finishing his inspection, Andy suggests we take a tour of the property so he can familiarize himself with its layout before conducting further assessments. His professionalism leaves me impressed, and I give Jake a nod of approval.

As we stroll through the property, I sneak glances at his scribbled notes. The extent of the renovations and the impending cost piques my curiosity. I see mentions of corroded pipes, a new water heater to be installed, concerns about drainage and gas lines, and even a question mark next to "septic system." His meticulousness is admirable as he adds reminders to check water pressure and flow once everything is connected.

Andy leaned against the kitchen counter; his arms crossed as he surveyed the plans spread out before us. "Are you planning on renovating the existing bathrooms only or adding in new ones?" he asks me, brows raised.

I hesitate, unsure of my vision of the place yet. "Well, I'm not sure. I mean, I intend to update the existing ones. Do you think I need more?"

He nods thoughtfully. "It all depends what you plan on doing with the place, really." He pauses momentarily. "Is it just going to be you and your daughter living here, or are you going to make it in a place for people to stay? Like a hotel or something?"

I turn to Jake, silently pleading for the answers that evade me. He shrugs, "It's your dream, hun. And your money. It's your call."

I return my gaze to Andy. "Um, I haven't really set my mind on anything specific yet. I haven't thought that far ahead," I admit.

He considers my vague reply. "Well, for a property this size, you need at least a bathroom on each level in each wing, plus maybe an additional powder room or two if you plan on using that ballroom back there commercially."

My voice almost quivers as I respond, "That sounds expensive."

His eyes narrow in understanding. "Look, you're going to need a lot of work done to get this place up to scratch," he says, his tone serious and calculating. "I can do you up a quote for the whole place, but if you like, we can do it in stages."

My mind races, trying to figure out the best way to tackle this overwhelming dilemma.

"Ok, what would a first stage look like?" I ask, hoping for some relief.

He leans forward, resting his elbows on the table between us. "Obviously, you're going to need the ground floor completely sorted first," he says matter-of-factly. "It's where the kitchen and laundry are located, and you're going to need at least one bathroom to actually live here." He pauses, letting that information sink in before continuing with a grim tone. "Honestly, it's going to take a lot of man hours just to get into the walls and replace the old pipes. But if you're looking to save a few dollars where you can, I'd highly recommend getting an electrician in while we have the walls open. It'll save you time and money in the long run."

My face falls as I let out a deep sigh. "And how much is this going to cost me?" I ask, already dreading the answer.

Andy's expression softens, giving me a glimmer of hope. "Audrey, listen. You seem like a nice lady and I don't want to make this any harder for you. But plumbing and electrical work in an old place like this? It's going to be your biggest expense."

I clench my jaw as my heart sinks even further. "But there's good news," he adds quickly, sensing my despair. "Once that's taken care of, it's just cosmetic stuff - patching walls, sanding, maybe some paint. And you guys can handle that part yourselves to save on labour costs."

Taking a deep breath, I force myself to remain calm. "Alright, fine. Can you give me quotes for both the entire house and just the ground floor? I need to go over my budget before deciding." Andy nods in understanding.

"Also," I continue, "when can you start? And how long do you think it'll take?"

Andy's eyebrows shoot up in sudden realisation, his mind already working through the logistics. "Hmm, we might fit you in next week. Of course, I'll have to move some things around on my schedule. And as for the timeline, it's going to depend on the extent of the renovations."

"Next week? That soon?" I ask, a glimmer of hope in my voice.

"Yeah, we can make it happen," Andy replies confidently.

As we continue touring the property, Jake and I sneak away for a moment. The fresh air outside offers little respite from our overwhelmed thoughts.

"This is turning into a nightmare," I confess, leaning into Jake's comforting embrace.

He rubs my back soothingly before planting a gentle kiss on my forehead. "It'll be ok, hun, I promise. Do you want to go over the budget together and work it all out before we go any further with the reno?"

I lean my head against Jake's chest for support. It bothers me I am relying on him so heavily both emotionally and physically, but he doesn't seem to mind at all. If only I had taken the time to set a proper budget for this project before we left the city, maybe I wouldn't feel so out of control now. It's frustrating to think about what I could have done differently, but there's no use dwelling on it now. As my mother would say, there's no point crying over spilled milk. I need to refocus and take charge. Come on Audrey, you've got this!

Later that day, Jake, Aislinn and I gather around the dining table in his cabin. "Let's figure this out," I say determinedly. Jake hands me a piece of paper with writing on it.

"Here's a budget I used for a previous renovation project. The house was smaller, but the principles are the same." We examine the document together as Jake walks us through the details, explaining common percentages used to calculate renovation costs. He rubs my hand before continuing. "Hun, I hate to be blunt, but we need to know your total budget before we can move forward with any plans."

My heart pounds in my chest as I stare at the page before me. Since Olivia helped me purchase the property, it is the first time I've been asked to openly discuss my financial situation. The familiar gnawing of anxiety pits in my stomach, urging me to be cautious with my words and numbers. Aislinn sits across from me, her eager eyes waiting for an answer. We agreed we'd be partners in this adventure, and I know I owe her the truth.

I take a deep breath and grab the pen, feeling its smooth weight between my fingers.

With a shaky hand, I flip over the page to find a blank spot before writing two figures on the paper. Pointing at the first number, I say, "This is what it cost to purchase the property - that's paid." Then, gesturing towards the second figure, I continue, "And this is what's left."

Aislinn's eyebrows shoot up in surprise and her eyes widen. "Mum!" she exclaims loudly. "Where on earth did you get that much money?"

I feel a sheepish grin spread across my face as I reply, "It's from the divorce settlement."

Even Jake, who has been silently observing our conversation, looks taken aback by the large amount of money. All he can say is, "Wow!" My heart races with both nerves and relief as I wait for their reactions to sink in.

AN uncomfortable silence settles over the table as I wait for either Aislinn or Jake to speak. Each second seems to drag on like an eternity, when finally, Jake shifts in his seat and clears his throat.

"Well, that number is going to make budgeting a whole lot easier," he says, his voice filled with relief. My heart lifts as I process his words.

"Really?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

He nods, his eyes full of reassurance. "It's still going to be expensive," he adds, "and it's going to take a whole chunk of that money to do everything you want to do. But honey, you really don't need to stress, for at least a year, I'd say."

I let out a sigh of relief and close my eyes, feeling the weight lift off my shoulders. I can't help but thank God for this blessing in disguise. Everything is going to be okay now. At least for a little while.

"But you probably need to work out what you plan to do with the place," Jake says, his brow furrows in thought. I can almost see the gears turning in his mind. "Are you going to use it as income earning? Or do you plan to get a job in town?"

Aislinn adds her two cents. "It seems kind of wasteful to have a house with so many bedrooms and not use it."

I nod in agreement. "You're right. We should make use of all the space. But what do you suggest we do with it?"

Jake leans back in his chair, stroking his chin as he ponders the question. "Well, Audrey, it really depends on what you want out of this place. Do you see it as just a personal residence, a business venture, or maybe a bit of both?"

"Can we turn it into a bed-and-breakfast, perhaps?" Aislinn interjects, her eyes lighting up at the idea. "That would be so cool." For a moment, I contemplate if she has been binging on old episodes of Gilmore Girls on Netflix. We are nothing like Lorelai and Rory.

I shift my gaze between them, considering the options running through my mind. The idea of a bed-and-breakfast hadn't even crossed my mind before now. Lakeview Hollow already has Maggie's B & B, and I'm not sure that there would be enough tourist traffic to sustain two businesses like that. However, the thought of hosting guests and sharing our little slice of paradise with them intrigues me.

"A bed-and-breakfast," I muse aloud. "That could work. It would make use of the extra rooms, and with this place's rich history, people may be interested in staying here."

Jake agrees, nodding his head. "That's a fantastic idea. We could preserve the historical charm while offering a unique experience to visitors. Plus, it would bring in some much-needed income to cover ongoing expenses and even provide a source of income for you, Audrey."

Excitedly, Aislinn chimes in, "And we could have each room decorated with its own theme!"

"But," Jake cautions, "running a bed-and-breakfast is no small task. It involves more than just fixing up the place; you'll also need to handle bookings, manage guests, and keep everything running smoothly."

A hint of concern crosses my face. He's right; it's a significant undertaking.

Aislinn reassures, "We can do it, Mum. With Jake's experience in renovations and our combined effort, we've got this."

Jake adds, "And I can help with the practical aspects, setting up the rooms, ensuring everything is up to code. It'll be hard work, but it could be rewarding."

Jake seems to read my mind. "Before we commit to a bed-and-breakfast, let's consider a few other options. You've got this amazing space. Let's explore everything before settling on one idea."

"Agreed," I say, thankful for his interjection. "What other kinds of commercial ventures might work for this building?"

Aislinn suggests. "We could turn it into something unique. Like a venue for events or a historical museum."

The idea of a historical museum sparks my interest. "A museum could be interesting. We could curate exhibits, tell the story of the mansion and the town. People might visit to learn about the local history."

Jake nods. "That's a solid idea. We can preserve the heritage of the mansion while creating an educational space. And hosting events could bring in income."

Aislinn's eyes light up, "Or what about a cultural centre like the one back in the city? We could organise workshops, art exhibitions, and cultural events. It'd be a creative hub for all sorts of things."

I consider the options, each one opening a new possibility. "A cultural centre could breathe life into this old mansion. It aligns with the town's spirit, and we could collaborate with local artists."

Jake suggests, "Another thought is turning it into a community space. It could be a place for gatherings, meetings, and local events. We could offer the space for rent, making it a versatile resource for the town."

The idea of creating a communal space strikes a chord with me. "It could bring us closer to the town and give back to the community while preserving the mansion," I suggest, looking between Jake and Aislinn for their reactions.

They both seem uncertain, so I continue, "We've explored some amazing possibilities for the mansion, but we need to decide. How about we do something unconventional?"

Aislinn's curiosity piques as she raises an eyebrow and asks, "What are you thinking, Mum?"

I grin at my suggestion. "Let's each write our favourite idea on a piece of paper, put them in a hat, and then decide based on the majority vote."

Jake finds the idea entertaining. "That seems fair. Let's try it."

We each take a moment to jot down our ideal vision for the mansion. After we finish, we fold up our notes and drop them into an old hat that Jake has lying around. I grab the hat and shake it a few times, mixing up all the papers. "Alright, here goes nothing. We'll read them out loud, and we'll know our answer." Aislinn nods eagerly, clearly curious, and excited.

Jake takes a deep breath. "Let's do it."

I pull out the first slip of paper and unfold it. "A bed-and-breakfast," I say aloud, looking at Jake and Aislinn with surprise on their faces.

Aislinn laughs, revealing her own note. "Another vote for a bed-and-breakfast. That's two now."

Jake grins, showing his own slip of paper. "And another one for a B & B. Third time's the charm, right?"

We stare at each other in shock, then I burst out laughing. "Looks like we're all thinking the same thing. But hold on, what's that written on your vote, Jake?" I raise it up to read the additional comment. "Use the ballroom for various occasions such as weddings, graduations, parties, conferences, etc."

Aislinn's eyes widen. "That's a brilliant idea, Jake!"

Jake shrugs. "If we're going for it, might as well make it versatile. What do you guys think?"

I look down at the notes in front of me, then back up at my daughter and Jake. "It seems we have a unanimous decision. Lakeview Hollow Mansion - we need to work on that name - will be transformed into a bed-and-breakfast, with the ballroom set for hosting events. How about we turn this dream into reality?"

Aislinn and Jake exchange glances, both nodding in agreement.

And just like that, the fate of the mansion is sealed. The future is set in motion.