‘OK, let’s get started,’ said Penny, as she swung the ballroom doors wide. She flipped on a set of lights and the wood panelling of the ornate and regal space seemed to glow in appreciation of its residents’ attention. ‘God, I love this room,’ she crooned.

Elle stepped forward and crossed the threshold – even she couldn’t deny feeling impressed. Yes, it was a bit dusty right now – the wood floors needed a good sanding and some of the gold leaf trim around the top of the high-ceilinged space needed some tender loving care – but this room had never failed to impress Elle. She had always felt like a princess growing up – knowing that she lived in a house that had an honest-to-goodness ballroom in it. How many kids could say that?

‘When was the last time it was used?’ she asked, running a finger along a ridge in the panelling, finding it in need of some wood polish.

Penny shrugged. ‘I don’t know, last summer?’ Then she nodded. ‘Yes, it was a wedding. About two hundred guests as far as I can remember.’

Elle nodded and made a note. Two hundred guests and a full ballroom – that was the kind of event they needed. Her mind spun into marketing mode – she wondered if anyone had taken pictures? Did anything get posted to social media? Did the hotel even have a Facebook page? She knew the website was boring, basic and sorely in need of updating as well as some drama and pizazz.

She returned her attention to the room and looked up at the ceiling. ‘I’ve always loved the chandelier. I think much of the glass needs replacing, though.’ Penny nodded her assent and Elle made another note. ‘What about those curtains? Don’t they date the space a bit? We could make everything look a lot more open and get some better natural light in here if we got rid of them altogether.’ Elle felt her mind whirring to life with new possibilities.

‘But Mum loved those curtains,’ Penny stated simply. Elle briefly felt irritation rising in her chest, but it abated when her sister spoke again. ‘I don’t know, maybe you’re right. They do get very dusty – maybe sorting out something different will make the room even more appealing.’

The two continued, making notes regarding a cracked mirror, some slight wood damage in a corner of the ballroom’s floor, scratches that really needed to be buffed out of the wood panelling on the walls, and the missing pieces of glass in the chandelier.