"They're very old," Bethanie said. "I was actually talking to - someone about them the other day, who must be in her fifties or sixties, and she read them and loved them." it had been her counsellor, actually, but Bethanie wasn't quite ready to tell Laurel that. "I don't know how much you'd like them if you read them now. They're quite simple. The ones about magic might be interesting, though." Bethanie shrugged. "I think some of them are still in my parents' attic. I'll probably go home for Christmas, so I can see if I can find them."
The rain was pounding heavily against the umbrella, which was only just big enough to cover them both if they stayed close together. Bethanie did her best to make sure Laurel stayed - well, not dry, but at least not more soaked. "You're freezing," she said. "I'm sorry." Maybe this had all been a terrible idea. They reached the lighthouse cottages, which were still a few minutes walk from the lighthouse itself, and Bethanie guided Laurel to behind one of them. "We can do a little magic here," Bethanie suggested. "Dry off and warm up." Her arm was still around Laurel, and Laurel hadn't pushed her away... "Or you can?" she continued. "And I'll hold the umbrella?"