Page 80 of Starry Nights over Dragonfly Lake

As they all crammed inside the space, Beth instantly understood his surprise. At some point since completion a week ago, the lodge had been furnished. It was no longer just an empty shell, it was a warm and comfortable home.

On one wall was a log burner in front of which had been placed a leather sofa, draped with soft blankets in shades of blue. Beyond that was the kitchenette along the back, which although small had everything needed such as a stove, fridge and coffee maker. Then there was a door through which was the bathroom which had a shower slotted neatly into the corner.

Finally, on the other side of the main room was a double bed, already dressed in matching shades of blue. A small bedside cabinet of oak had been placed next to the bed, as well as a sheepskin rug for fluffy warmth over the wooden floorboards.

It was a perfect hideaway from normal life, thought Beth. But a comfortable as well as romantic one as well.

There was only one person that could have decorated it so well.

Beth spun around to face Lily. ‘Oh, it’s amazing,’ she told her.

However, Lily was looking straight at Noah. ‘I hope I didn’t overstep but we figured that you would want to move in straight away so I ordered a few bits for you to help settle in,’ she said.

‘It’s incredible,’ replied Noah, sounding a little stunned as he continued to stare around in disbelief. He blinked back to life and looked at Lily. ‘It’s perfect, thank you.’

Lily instantly relaxed and smiled tearily at him. ‘You’re welcome,’ she replied.

‘Right, get the kettle on,’ said Dotty. ‘Let’s get the place christened, shall we?’

‘There’s mugs and teabags already in the cupboard,’ Lily told her.

‘And milk in the fridge,’ added Faye.

With everyone squeezed inside, it was a cosy tea break from their walk, with Noah getting the log stove going to bring some warmth into the place and everyone taking turns to look around. Beth thought that it already felt very much like a family home, especially once Tiny had sprawled on the floor in between them all.

As the sun began to sink below the trees, the family headed back to the hotel to get everything ready for a few board games and yet more food.

Noah told them that he would be along in a while and Beth opted to stay behind with him.

‘So do you really like it?’ she asked, as soon as they were alone.

‘How could I not?’ he replied, staring aroundand shaking his head in wonder. ‘I’ve never lived anywhere this nice. I can’t believe it’s all mine.’

‘Maybe you deserve it,’ she told him.

He turned to look at her. ‘You always believe the best in people, don’t you?’ he asked.

‘I try,’ she replied.

‘You amaze me,’ he told her.

‘That makes a change,’ she said. ‘Most of the time I think I just annoy people by wittering on about stars and other stuff.’

‘Talking of stars,’ he said, pointing upwards.

She followed his gaze up to the ceiling and gasped. There in the roof, placed above the bed, was a large skylight through which she could see the rapidly darkening sky.

‘How could I have not spotted that earlier? Oh, it’s wonderful!’ she told him, clapping her hands. ‘I would never get any sleep if I were in bed here!’ She groaned as she heard the double entendre out loud. ‘Sorry. That’s not what I meant.’

She looked at Noah to give him a sheepish grin and found that he wasn’t smiling, merely looking at her with a look she couldn’t fathom.

‘I shouldn’t have kissed you this morning,’ he said.

Her heart went into her throat. ‘It was just a kiss between friends,’ she stammered, reminding him of his own words.

‘This is no good,’ he carried on, shaking his head. ‘Not for you. I’m cynical and you’re the most carefree person I’ve ever met.’

‘Opposites can attract,’ she replied quickly. ‘Just look at magnets. The polarity causes…’