The voice emanated from behind me, and I turned to see a young girl standing behind me. Her bright blue eyes stood out from her round, freckled face, and she had red hair that shot out in all directions and refused to be tamed. It reminded me of the way Tate’s hair was always rebelling, despite how much he tried to hold it down with product, and that of Royce’s, too, though he didn’t care if his was all wild.
“Thanks, but I don’t think it’ll be a good picture.” I waved my phone uselessly.
“What were you trying to photograph?” She moved to the window.
“The Eye. We’re so close to it, and it looks awesome. I wanted to capture the moment.” I admired the beautiful, fifties-style dress the girl was wearing with hundreds of detailed flowers sewn onto the piece.
“We might not be able to photograph the Eye, but I can always photograph you right here in this room. What do you think?”
I glanced around again. “It is a beautiful room.”
“Isn’t it? Don’t you want to lose yourself in all these books? What about that Christmas tree? Ugh, gosh, I love Christmas trees,” she said excitedly, her eyes lighting up with joy.
“So do I,” I said with a laugh.
“Right then, come on.” The girl snagged my hand and dragged me right through the room, pushing anyone who was in our way out of it. She positioned me rather roughly in front of the tree and took a few steps away from me. “Are you ready?”
“I guess.”
“All right, then smile.” I did so, and she snapped the shot. “Aw, you look lovely, miss,” she announced once she’d inspected the image. She turned the screen to me and was right. It was a pretty shot.
“Well done, sweetie.”
She pushed my hand away when I tried to take my phone back. “Wait a moment. If I go into editing, I can make this even better. Well, as much as one can on a smartphone anyhow. You should get yourself a proper camera like a Nikon or a Canon.”
“Yes, I’d love one. Unfortunately, they’re a bit out of my price range. It would be wonderful to have one for Kenya, though.”
The girl’s mouth dropped open. “You’re going to Kenya? When?”
“After the new year.”
“Oh, good Lord, you need a proper camera for that. All that nature and wildlife? You’d be mad not to get one.”
“I know, you’re right.” I nibbled the inside of my cheek as I watched her thumb fly across the screen. “Who are you? You’re too young to be working for Rawlins Industries.”
“I’m Jen. My dad’s on the company board. I’m here with him, my mum and brother. I’m only thirteen, and I hope not to work until I’ve at least attended university. Then I can have any job I want.”
“Is your dad Roger?”
Jen scrunched up her nose. “No, that fuddy-duddy is old enough to be my grandfather. My dad is over by the table there, talking to that lady, the director of finance. She’s a bitch and fucking my mother. Don’t tell Daddy. It would break his heart if he knew he was being left out.”
I balked at her. “I’m sure that’s not—”
“It’s completely true. I’m thirteen, not stupid. Here you are,” Jen interrupted as she smiled and held my phone out to me.
I studied the photograph and gasped. The colors were enhanced—my image was crisp and the tree behind me… well, there were no words. “This is incredible!”
“Imagine what I can do with a real camera.”
This Jen girl was incredibly smug, but I couldn’t help but like her. She had a cheerful and charming disposition. That, coupled with her beauty and sass, would surely have all the boys and girls courting her.
Jen folded her arms loosely in front of her. “So, you’re Australian.”
I hugged my phone to my chest. “Good observation skills.”
“Who did you come here with? It must be someone loaded if you’ve come dressed inDrusilla Marie.”
Not understanding what she meant, I glanced down at my dress. “In what?”