The luxury LODGE

Erin just wanted some quality time with her children — what could possibly go wrong?

- Kath McFadyen

Enough! I can't take any more,' yelled Erin, storming out and slamming the door. Any hope of family harmony instantly vanished along with her dream weekend relaxing in a luxurious retreat.

Marching along the drive, she tripped in the old trainers she'd pulled on in haste. Steadying herself, she took a great gulp of air and tried to calm down.

Pressing on, she was unable to stem the tide of tears and began to sob as she wrenched the gate open and stumbled off down the lane through the woods.

Her mind raced as she struggled to work out how things had gone so wrong.

Erin had been desperate for a break. She'd been juggling being a single mum with the demands of her job as an estate agent.

Recently, her boss had retired and recommended her to fill his place. She was thrilled when she'd landed the promotion but had begun to feel swamped.

Scrolling through staycation options, she'd hit upon what she thought would be perfect... a newly built lodge with a Scandi vibe in the heart of the countryside.

The weekend would be a reward for all her hard work and a chance to treat the kids. They'd have some quality time - going on walks, bonding over board games and snuggling up to watch old movies.

But from the off, Sophie, aged 14 going on 24, and 11-year-old Jake had bickered and niggled. She'd spent the car journey refereeing their constant fighting.

When they had finally arrived and Erin unlocked the door to Eden Lodge, she'd gasped at the dazzling white-out. A pristine open-plan living, dining and kitchen space greeted her, with a vaulted ceiling and bifold doors to the garden.

However, Sophie managed to burst her bubble. Trudging into the minimalist kitchen, she observed, 'It's so quiet here, it's like dead. I wish we'd gone to a theme park instead.'

Later, the task of unloading the car and unpacking was made doubly difficult when the children started arguing again, this time over bedrooms.