Page 74 of Starry Nights over Dragonfly Lake

‘I’m there to support Benedict with his career,’ said Ella. ‘All the business partners at his firm are staying in the resort, that’s why he’s invited me. They’re having a thought shower whilst they’re out there.’

‘A what?’ Hannah looked mystified.

‘It’s all corporate jargon,’ said Ella with a shrug. ‘Basically he needs to network this Christmas to stand him in better position to get a promotion. He’s vying with another guy for Vice-President of Finance. I’m there to help market him and improve his prospects.’

‘Sounds really fun and festive,’ murmured Lily, rolling her eyes.

Ella shook her head at her friend. ‘It’s not about fun. It’s business. It could be a real game changer for him.’

‘You won’t mind that it’s a work thing?’ asked Beth.

‘Not at all. You know I hate all that soppy stuff,’ said Ella with a shudder. ‘That’s why Benedict is such an amazing find. He’s good-looking and ambitious, as well as having the most amazing apartment in town as well.’

Beth loved Ella but had always struggled to understand her friend’s attitude towards relationships.

‘Yes but does he know all about your hopes and dreams?’ asked Lily. ‘Does he want to get married? Have a family?’

Ella frowned at her. ‘Of course not,’ she replied. ‘He wants his own business and to make as much money as he possibly can.’

‘But what about the magic?’ asked Hannah, in a dreamy voice.

‘The magic?’ Ella looked nonplussed. ‘Don’t look at me. I don’t believe in soulmates and magic and all that stuff.’

Beth realised in that moment that it had been the magic that she had been missing so far from every relationship.

‘What about Noah?’ teased Ella, looking at Beth. ‘Are you feeling the magic there?’

‘Of course not,’ she said, shuffling in her seat. ‘Besides, I’m not going out with him, am I?’

She leaned forward and topped up her glass with champagne, grateful for when the conversation moved on to Ella’s ski wear and what the resort was like.

The champagne helped her to relax but still she felt restless and a little out of sorts.

‘Are you okay?’ asked Lily, slipping her arm into Beth’s as they headed back to the lodge later that evening.

‘Too much champagne,’ she replied.

‘Can you actually have too much champagne?’ asked Ella, on the other side of Lily and Hannah.

‘I’ll let you know in the morning,’ said Lily.

The combination of alcohol and fresh air made them all a little giggly as they headed indoors. They could hear the laughter and conversation coming from the bar where the men were having their own festive evening.

‘Come on,’ said Lily. ‘Let’s go find our men.’

She knew that Lily was referring to Ben and Alex but even so, Beth hoped that Noah was still there as well.It might have been all the champagne she had drunk that evening that made the thought of seeing him quicken her pulse.

But despite the alcohol, she knew that it wasn’t. She had a huge crush on Noah and had no idea what to do about it.

40

In the past, Christmas had pretty much passed Noah by without too much of a fuss. Sometimes he had gone out for a festive drink with any co-workers but otherwise, he would normally be found on Christmas Day working on a boat. Real-life Christmas wasn’t like it was portrayed in the movies.

And yet, there at Maple Tree Lodge, he could slowly feel himself succumbing to a touch of magic.

Everyone had decorated the hotel from top to bottom and so he was constantly surrounded by the aroma of pine, orange and cloves. Holly and fairy lights were everywhere and he had never seen so many Christmas trees inside a home before. There was one in every room, including the snug where he was having a drink with Ben and his friends. Even the bar where Frankie was serving up various drinks had fake red felt stockings hanging from the front.

Now that the last guests had left and the hotel was closed for Christmas, everyone could finally relax after a busy few months of hard work.