Page 69 of Starry Nights over Dragonfly Lake

‘Hi,’ said Beth, stepping inside before quickly closing the door behind her.

‘Hey,’ he said. ‘Thought you were prepping for your next stargazing event at the weekend.’

After the success of the meteor shower viewing, a special Christmas-themed stargazing night had been hastily arranged for that Friday night.

‘I think I’m pretty much ready,’ she replied, wandering over to a nearby stool to sit down. ‘Faye wanted you to taste the latest batch of Christmas biscuits,’ she said, bringing out a parcel wrapped in a napkin. ‘And she’s still raving about how good the nativity scene looks.’

Noah shrugged his shoulders. ‘It wasn’t much effort,’ he told her, trying to resist the aroma of the spiced cookies that he knew would be delicious. ‘If I have any more of her lovely biscuits or desserts, I’m not going to fit into my jeans.’

‘I know the feeling,’ said Beth, nodding.

Noah ran a brief eye over her long legs,encased that day in bright pink thick tights and a short black miniskirt, before trying to concentrate on the sanding once more.

‘What are you working on?’ she asked.

‘The starboard side,’ he told her.

‘Did you know that the port side was named because it literally was the nearest part of the boat to the port so allowed supplies to be taken onboard easily?’

Noah looked up at Beth. ‘Are you changing your studies to concentrate on maritime now?’ he asked.

She laughed. ‘I was just interested, that’s all.’

He really had never met anyone like Beth, with her thirst for knowledge and wonder, he never knew quite what she was going to say next. He found it both baffling but also interesting at the same time.

Beth shivered. ‘It’s colder out here today.’ She leant over and wrapped his scarf around her neck. ‘That’s better. You don’t mind, do you?’

‘Be my guest,’ he replied, thinking that the burgundy colour suited her.

‘I don’t mind the cold if I’m dressed for it,’ said Beth, before picking up a biscuit and taking a bite. ‘You should have seen me in Canada a couple of years ago. I had so many layers on I couldn’t bend my legs to sit down.’

‘Canada?’ he asked.

‘Churchill,’ she told him. ‘It’s great for dark skies. You just have to make sure you don’t bump into a polar bear on your way home.’ She finished the biscuit before carrying on. ‘Did you know that polar bear skins are black? It helps them absorb the heat from the sun. And their fur is actually translucent. It only appears white because it reflects visible light.’

She broke into a wide smile and he was reminded just how beautiful she was.

‘There’s a lot of time for studying when it’s dark twenty hours of the day,’ she carried on. ‘Am I annoying you?’

‘No,’ he told her truthfully. ‘I’ve kind of got used to you chatting away.’

She brought a warmth with her that automatically made a person feel happier, he realised. She only ever spoke the truth and what was on her mind. It was refreshing, the lack of lies. It made him trust her and he never trusted anyone. Until now.

‘Plus you brought snacks so…’ He let his voice trail off.

‘I know the way to a man’s heart,’ she joked, holding out the napkin for him to take a biscuit.

‘Through his stomach?’ he asked.

Beth nodded. ‘Exactly. Especially if Faye or Hannah are doing the baking. They’re making the Christmas cake in the kitchen. I’m deemed a liability near any kind of baking so I left them to it. I can’t believe Christmas is just around the corner. I haven’t even thought about any presents yet.’

‘What’s on your letter to Santa this year?’ asked Noah.

Beth inclined her head, temporarily deep in thought. ‘I can’t decide,’ she told him. ‘Between a woolly hat or some new thermal underwear.’

‘Thermal underwear?’ Noah laughed. ‘That’s not very sexy.’

‘I can’t ask Santa for sexy underwear!’ replied Beth, blushing. ‘What would the elves think?’