Page 7 of Starry Nights over Dragonfly Lake

Dotty was a diminutive powerhouse despite being nearly eighty and Beth crouched down to hug her.

‘Lovely to see you,’ said Beth.

‘You know, I’m pretty certain I had that exact same miniskirt in the 1960s,’ said Dotty, giving her an appreciative look.

Beth glanced down at the outfit that she had dressed in without much thought that morning. As usual, it was a vintage purchase from a charity shop.

Always struggling to find enough funds growing up, Beth had become used to buying her clothessecond hand. As she had become an adult, she had found herself drawn to the vintage styles of the 1960s and 1970s. Sometimes she struck gold in the charity shops and found a real designer item where the quality far outshone the modern-day thinner materials. That day’s outfit was a case in point. She had been delighted to discover an original Mary Quant miniskirt in a charity shop in London many years previously. The red and black tartan coordinated beautifully with her thick black tights and red V-neck jumper.

‘Dotty, you can borrow my skirt any time,’ Beth told her.

‘Not sure she’s got the legs for it these days,’ said Walter, Dotty’s husband, shooting his wife a grin. ‘Hello, love,’ he added, giving Beth a small hug. Walter’s often gruff exterior masked a soft heart underneath.

‘Walter, lovely to see you,’ said Beth. ‘But I have to disagree with you for once. Dotty’s got fantastic legs.’

‘I know,’ said Walter, with a grin. ‘I just don’t want her getting a big head.’

‘Now, what’s all this about running out on your boyfriend?’ Ever straight to the point, Dotty led Beth over to the table.

‘Maybe she doesn’t want to talk about it, Grandma,’ said Hannah in a pointed tone.

‘Rubbish,’ said Dotty. ‘She’s family and we’re here to help.’

‘Here to stick our noses in, more like it,’ muttered Walter, sitting down at the head of the table.

‘I know what I’m talking about,’ said Dotty. ‘The poor girl’s obviously heartbroken.’

‘I’ll be okay,’ said Beth, putting on her bravest smile. ‘Oh, and talking of family, Walter. I’m afraid I gave your nephew a bit of a fright last night.’

‘Nephew?’ repeated Lily, staring at her with wide eyes. ‘What nephew? Who are you talking about?’

‘Ben and Hannah’s cousin,’ said Beth, turning to look around at everyone.

At the time, she had thought it was odd that Lily hadn’t mentioned him staying at the hotel, given how close they were as a family. But then again it had been a busy night for everyone, she had reminded herself.

‘Our cousin?’ said Ben, still looking perplexed. ‘You mean Noah?’

‘When did you meet Noah?’ asked Hannah, looking as confused as her brother.

‘I think somebody got their lines mixed up in all the confusion of the power cut last night,’ Beth told them. ‘We were both allocated the spare bedroom. You know, the first one on the right-hand side in the family quarter.’

‘Wait a minute,’ said Ben, dragging a hand through his hair. ‘Let me get this straight. Noah is here?’

He looked shocked and now Beth was confused.

‘You didn’t know?’ she asked.

‘No!’ spluttered Ben, looking angry. ‘How did he get here? Did he just break into our home?’

‘Why would he break in?’ Beth began to ask but Ben was looking around at his family for answers.

‘Of course he didn’t break into the place,’ said Walter, smacking his coffee mug down onto the table a little forcefully. ‘He was here at my request.’

‘Your request?’ said Hannah with wide eyes.

‘It’s still my hotel, isn’t it?’ asked Walter, with a glare.

‘Of course, Grandad,’ replied Ben quickly.