Page 26 of Starry Nights over Dragonfly Lake

Beth was filled with something akin to pride. ‘It is? My column?’ she said.

He nodded. ‘I know. People have the most peculiar taste, don’t they? Anyway, we don’t want to upset the apple cart and all that, do we? So we can continue as we were, so to speak. And, by the way, I’d prefer it if you kept our relationship on the quiet as well. No need for any kind of scandal. Especially as I’m still married.’

Beth gave a start. ‘You told me you were getting a divorce,’ she snapped.

‘I am, darling. It’s just taking far longer than I thought it would with the wretched lawyers.’

She wondered what on earth she had seen in him. In truth, she had been flattered when Jeremy had asked her out. He was very famous in the world of astronomy and he still had a certain notoriety within their community. So she had never wanted to rock the boat when she had been with him. After all, she had felt amazed that he had even noticed her, considering the vast differences in their intellectual prowess.

He gave her a slow look up and down. ‘I’m not sure I like those dungarees but at least they cover your legs for once. By the way, do you need to wear skirts that shortwhen we next go out? You’re not going to a nightclub and that would help keep the gossip to a minimum.’

Beth’s temper flared inside of her once more. He had never liked her choice of clothes but she had always brushed off his criticism before now. After all, everyone was different, weren’t they? And yet, she had tempered her clothing whenever she saw him. Not wanting to set him off again in one of his bad moods.

‘Listen, I’ve battled flooded roads and high winds just to get here to show you how wrong you are about me.’ Jeremy reached out and drew her into his arms, not seeming to notice how stiff and unyielding she was. ‘So why don’t you come back with me, where you belong?’

Where you belong.

For a second she was tempted. The happy ever after she had always wanted dangled in front of her once more.

But the truth was that she had never felt like she belonged with Jeremy. Never felt like she belonged in his spacious, swanky flat either. He worked with many private companies whom he advised and who he had taken rather large payments for. It was all in stark contrast to Beth’s meagre salary and she had always felt like the poor cousin whenever they had gone out. Especially because he frowned upon her use of vintage clothes, much preferring anything modern with a label. Jeremy was all about the labels.

She glanced back at Jeremy as he waited expectantly for a reply. She just didn’t know what to believe.

‘I’m going to stay here,’ she told him.

‘Well then, I’ll book a room for the night,’ he replied with a smug smile.

Beth sighed heavily. He was deliberately misunderstanding her.

Finally, Jeremy’s patient veneer appeared to crack a little. ‘We’re wasting time,’ he snapped.

His good-looking face disappeared and she could see how much uglier he looked when he was miserable and scowling at her like he was at that moment. Why hadn’t she seen it before?

At once her mind was made up.

‘Thanks for the offer but I’ll pass,’ she told him. ‘I think it’s best that you leave now, Jeremy. Goodbye.’

She walked out of the snug with her head held high, despite her legs being ever so shaky as she went.

13

Noah returned from the barn to find a rather tense atmosphere in reception. Beth was standing to one side with Walter, opposite a man who he understood to be her ex-boyfriend.

Having already picked up on the fact that Beth was super intelligent, the fact that her choice of partner was a professor of physics shouldn’t have come as a surprise.

As the strained introductions were made, Noah shook his hand and immediately knew the type of man Jeremy was. He had met a few like him before. Jeremy was the type of guy to size you up, as if instantly deciding whether you could be of use to him and his massive ego. If you weren’t, then you merely received a smile that didn’t reach his eyes before he went on to see if he could use the next person instead.

Anyway, however awful the guy, it was none of his business. Although that didn’t stop him from flicking a glance at Beth to make sure she was all right. She gave him a slight nod as if to indicate that she could deal with her frightful ex.

Happy that he didn’t need to step in as her defence, Noahknew that it was time for him to leave. He went behind the reception desk to pick up his rucksack.

Walter’s eyes flickered down to the bag briefly before returning to his face.

‘You’re not going anywhere at the moment,’ said Walter, coming to stand in front of him. ‘Storm’s come in now.’

Noah knew that his uncle wanted him to stay on for a while longer. It was true that they had formed a tentative connection but he really did need to leave. Just like always. Before anyone had a chance to let him down again.

‘I’ll be fine,’ he replied, shrugging on his coat. ‘I can take care of myself out there.’