Page 46 of Starry Nights over Dragonfly Lake

But for once, Beth didn’t feel any better. The hotel was Lily’s dream job, not hers.

‘But what else?’ asked Beth, with a shrug. ‘The column pays minimum wage so it’s not enough. And yes, I appreciate the blog is up and running thanks to Ella’s hard work but I’m not sure that’s enough either.’

She looked up as Noah suddenly passed by the sofas and everyone greeted him. It seemed as if he had quickly become a part of the rhythm and pattern of life in Maple Tree Lodge, she thought.

‘Hey,’ he said, by way of greeting.

‘How was your journey to Brighton?’ asked Hannah. ‘Did you manage to get everything in your truck?’

He nodded. ‘All good, thanks.’

He would have carried on walking when Ella called out to him.

‘Hey, Noah,’ she said. ‘You seem to be full of ideas for our Beth here. Try this one on for size. What can she do job-wise using her vast and somewhat freaky knowledge of space and the universe?’

‘But would also keep her nearby because we love having her here,’ added Hannah in a soft tone.

Despite her embarrassment at Noah’s bemused expression, Beth shot a smile at her friend ingrateful thanks.

‘Well, here’s an idea,’ said Noah. ‘What about showing the hotel guests the stars?’

‘You mean like one of those stargazing guides?’ asked Lily.

Noah nodded in response.

‘Ooh, that’s a great idea,’ said Hannah, looking delighted.

‘I agree,’ added Ella, also fired up with enthusiasm. ‘We can charge people and you take a hefty percentage as you’re the guide. So it’s another way of making money.’

‘Well, the hotel will already be full next weekend with guests after the Halloween swim on Friday night,’ added Lily, clapping her hands. ‘So what about Saturday night, okay?’

Beth blanched. ‘I can’t do that,’ she told everyone, shaking her head. It was a terrible idea.

‘Why not?’ asked Noah, raising his eyebrows at her. ‘You showed me the stars the other evening. What’s the difference?’

‘You weren’t a stranger,’ she reminded him. ‘We’d already spent the night together, remember?’ She faked a laugh and tried to ignore how brittle it sounded with her tension at his awful idea.

Noah didn’t laugh but merely kept looking at her. ‘How can I forget?’ he murmured.

Her friends suppressed their giggles.

Then he carried on. ‘But I also remember the passion you had in your voice when you told me about the planets. It was really interesting.’

Beth made a face in reply, still uncertain.

‘What harm can it do?’ he asked.

She rolled her eyes. ‘Puncture my already low self-confidence? Make me feel even worse about myself?’ she muttered.

Ella elbowed her in the ribs. ‘Hey! Jeremy’s not here. And he was wrong to make you feel that way.’

‘I absolutely agree,’ said Noah. ‘So what do you say?’

He and her three best friends all looked at her until Beth shuffled on the sofa, uncomfortable in their gaze.

‘Well?’ asked Ella.

‘Just remember that we’ve got your back,’ Hannah told her.