Page 91 of Starry Nights over Dragonfly Lake

Alex slapped Noah on the shoulder. ‘Looks like we’re all going shopping for suits at some point in the near future,’ he said, with a grin. ‘We’ll even have to get a bow tie for Tiny! It’s going to be an amazing year.’

Noah revelled in the excitement and happiness of the occasion. This was his family, he realised. And he was a part of them now.

He had always believed that by letting anyone in, they would only hurt him. But Walter hadn’t. Ben hadn’t. And Beth wouldn’t.

He realised in that moment that the blame of his past lay with his parents, not himself. That he was free tolove and be loved.

If only he could just take that one leap of faith with the right person, he thought, looking across to Beth.

50

Despite her overwhelming happiness for Ben and Lily, Beth’s heart still ached.

Even more so, she felt the pain of having to leave this happy family home the following day. But there would be a joyful wedding day later that year to look forward to whilst she was away.

However, her happiness was tinged with sadness that she would never have what Ben and Lily had together. They loved each other as equals. And anything less, she couldn’t endure.

When a familiar hand slipped into hers and gave it a squeeze, she knew without even turning her head that it was Noah. When had she grown so used to him that she knew his very presence, she wondered.

‘Isn’t it lovely?’ she murmured, as she watched Lily smiling with joy as she glanced down at her new diamond ring once more.

‘It is,’ he told her. ‘I’m happy for them.’

She looked around at him and was pleased to see nothing but the truth in his eyes. At some point he had lost that cynicism andhad grown close to his family. She was glad. He deserved to be happy.

When the family celebrations died down, it was the most natural thing in the world to go back to the lodge with him. Jeremy had left already so there was no need to pretend any longer that they were a couple.

And yet she couldn’t stop herself from going with him. One more night, she promised herself. Then she was leaving the next day. Thankfully Antarctica was so far away that she wouldn’t be back for a few weeks, maybe even months if she took on another job somewhere else. By then, her heart might have healed, although she doubted she would ever get over Noah.

As soon as they closed the front door, she couldn’t stop herself from slipping into his arms. She only had this night and it had to last forever in her dreams and memory.

However, nothing lasts forever and when she woke up the following morning, her stomach dived in misery. It was time to leave. Time to say goodbye. She wasn’t ready but perhaps it was better that way. She just wanted to get out of there with a smidgen of dignity. Most of all, she wanted to protect Noah by not putting him under any pressure to be anything other than himself.

So she fixed on her happiest of expressions and leapt out of the bed as soon as the sun rose.

‘Coffee time!’ she announced, grabbing her trousers and jumper which were lying on the floor and slipping them on.

Noah stared at her from the bed with a surprised expression on his face. ‘Okay,’ he said, with a soft smile. ‘Although for the record, you seem hyper enough already.’

‘It’s okay for you, sleepyhead,’ she told him, picking up his jeans from the floor and throwing them at his head. ‘But some of us have got to get going.’

‘Why?’ he asked, laughing.

‘I’ve got to get packing. I’ve got so much to do,’ she told him, picking up the handbag which she had carried with her the previous evening and placing it on the coffee table. She had a couple of larger suitcases back in Maple Tree Lodge. She only needed to retrieve them and then she would be done. Lily had reluctantly promised to box up any of her additional items to clear the spare bedroom for when Ella came to stay.

‘Packing?’ he asked, sitting up in bed suddenly. ‘Where are you going?’

‘Didn’t I tell you?’ she asked, all innocent. ‘That job in Antarctica. They accepted me for the cruise, isn’t that amazing? It’s a great opportunity for me and can you imagine the skies up there? The first plane leaves tonight so I’ve got to get going. Now, where did I put my gloves? Oh, here they are.’

‘Wait a minute.’ Noah swung his legs out of bed and quickly slipped on his jeans. ‘You’re leaving today?’

‘Of course,’ she replied briskly. ‘You should see the flight connections! They’re so tight and at this time of year it takes even longer with all the snow and stuff so I’m on a bit of a time frame.’

‘You’re leaving?’ he repeated.

Finally she forced herself to look at him.

I’m not going to cry, she thought, desperately willing herself not to show any emotion in front of him. She loved him. But what was the point in telling him that now? It would only make him feel worse and she cared too much for him to hurt him. She truly loved him but it was over.