Page 40 of Starry Nights over Dragonfly Lake

It wasn’t an absolute lie, Noah told himself. His next project had been delayed by a week or so. But perhaps it was fortuitous in that respect. Perhaps he was needed elsewhere at that moment in time.

‘So if you want, I can stay on and help out with building the lodges,’ carried on Noah. ‘Get them finished over the winter. If you need a hand, that is.’

The penny seemed to finally drop as Ben looked at him and almost sagged in relief. ‘Are you sure?’ he asked, wide-eyed. ‘I mean, that would be incredible but I don’t want to force you to do anything you don’t want to, even if that includes staying. And I’m pretty sure Grandad wouldn’t either.’

‘I’m sure,’ Noah told him.

‘It’ll give you time to work on that boat as well,’ said Ben. But just as he was about to smile it turned into a frown. ‘I can’t afford to pay you, that’s the problem.’

Noah shook his head. ‘Don’t need paying. Just give me the free board and we’ll call it quits.’

Ben sank back in his chair. ‘That’s quite an offer. Are you sure?’ he asked.

Noah nodded. ‘Absolutely.’

‘Thanks. I mean really, thank you,’ said Ben, finally breaking into a smile. ‘Take all the ice cream. As much as you can eat.’

Noah laughed but again Ben’s smile faded.

‘You know, I saw you once take food from in here and stuff it in your pockets,’ he said, frowning. ‘It was a couple of bread rolls off the counter. I thought you were stealing from us and I hated you for that but I should have pitied you. I was young and thoughtless. It wasn’t right if you were going hungry.’

‘I don’t want anyone’s pity and never have,’ said Noah, feeling defensive.

Ben shook his head. ‘It was the wrong verb to use. Not pity. I should have offered help instead of judging you. I’m sorry.’

‘I probably wouldn’t have taken you up on the offer anyway,’ Noah told him. ‘I never was much good at accepting anyone’s help.’

Ben nodded. ‘I understand,’ he said. ‘But if there’s anything we can do now… I feel like we’re taking a lot from you and not giving anything back in return.’

‘You’re giving me bed, board and acceptance,’ replied Noah. ‘In my world, that’s pretty much everything.’

Ben looked startled. ‘Okay. Well, hey, what are families for?’

Noah shrugged his shoulders. ‘I wouldn’t know,’ he confessed.

Ben looked at him. ‘Hopefully you’ll find out if you’re able to stick around,’ he said.

‘I’d like that,’ Noah found himself replying.

‘Grandad will be pleased you’re staying as well,’ carried on Ben. ‘He’s got quite a soft spot for you.’

Noah nodded. ‘Feeling’s mutual,’ he said. Then he held out his hand across the table. ‘So it’s a deal?’

‘Deal, yeah, definitely,’ said Ben, looking delighted as he shook his hand. ‘And thank you.’

Noah’s flight mode had never felt stronger in that moment. The need to run, to not let anyone close to him was as strong as ever. And yet, as he sat at the table with Ben, he could feel himself beginning to relax, thinking that perhaps family wasn’t something to be feared after all.

21

Beth woke up with a crick in her neck from sleeping on the sofa and a bad mood that continued long past breakfast. Even the fact that the power had come back on and the roads were now cleared didn’t cheer her up.

She hadn’t seen Noah when she had woken up as he had already left the bedroom without her hearing him rise, but that was good because she was still cross with him letting down the family and didn’t want to see him. Hopefully he would have left by the time she finished her shift waitressing in the Boathouse Café.

Thankfully it was busy in the café that morning and it wasn’t until almost lunchtime that Hannah made her take a break.

Beth hunkered down with her pumpkin latte and cake in the corner, ignoring her phone and staring out of the large windows at the lake beyond.

‘Is the cake that bad?’ asked Hannah, appearing by the table. ‘I could see you scowling all the way from the kitchen. It’s a new recipe that I’m trying out. Apple harvest slice, I’ve called it.’