“I don’t see why I have to come with you both,” I say, scowling at my older brother, Gregor, and my dad as they rush me out the front door and into our junky old car.
“It’s this little thing called the law, Cora,” Dad says as he cheerfully pushes me into the backseat while Gregor frantically checks his reflection in the rearview mirror. “I’m not allowed to leave you alone in the house. Especially after what you did to the toaster.”
“The guy from the fire department said that happens all the time. Besides, you’re going to let me run around London by myself during the summer,” I argue.
The engine starts and we back out onto the road, setting off for the posh part of town. “That’s way more dangerous than our house. People drive like maniacs nowadays.”
“Don’t I know it,” Gregor mutters as Dad flies over a speed bump, causing my brother and me to grab our armrests and hold on for dear life.
The evening lights of London are too bright for me after an absolutely rubbish day at school. I flick the tension out of my fingers and close my eyes. I am in no mood to put on a social mask and try to appear interested in all the boring things the grown-ups are going to say.
Thirteen soon. My, that’s a big girl. So sad about your mother, we heard all about it.
No, thank you.
Soon enough, Dad and Gregor are bickering about where to park and I realize that we are almost there. Gregor shoves a hastily wrapped present into my hands as we reach the stoop of the enormously tall, but extremely narrow, town house, with a few balloons tied on the doorknob.
“Whose birthday is this?” I hiss as Gregor rings the doorbell.
“Rule Britannia” plays as soon as he does, and Dad has to clap a hand over my mouth to cover my sarcastic groan.
“Save the attitude for later,” Gregor hisses back.
“Oh, I will.”
“It’s the son of my boss. He’s your age. Give the present to the maid.”
“The maid?!”
The black front door is heaved open to reveal . . . a maid. She looks exhausted and thoroughly unamused. Music and conversation and crowds of people can be seen and heard just behind her. Dad hastily drops his hand from my face as I thrust the present toward her. She accepts it with a sigh and turns to add it to a gigantic pyramid of fancily wrapped gifts.
We follow her in, and she takes our coats. Dad and Gregor are both wearing suits that make them look like very nervous penguins.
“Gregory!”
My brother rushes off to answer to someone who has gotten his name wrong, leaving Dad and me standing in the hallway. Dad runs his hands along his lapels anxiously while I stare around at the incredibly posh house.
I’m scared to touch anything; it’s like a museum.
“Who are you, then?”
I glance up at a tall, willowy woman with long icy-blond hair as she descends the stairs gracefully. She’s holding her hand out toward me with a wide smile.
I glance up at a tall, willowy woman with long icy-blond hair as she descends the stairs gracefully. She’s holding her hand out toward me with a wide smile.
I gingerly put out my hand and her bracelets jangle as she grasps it. Squeezes it.
“Are you a friend of Adrien’s?” she asks excitedly.
“No. I’m Cora Byers. My brother works for Mr. Hawkins.”
“And Mr. Hawkins has been incredibly rude and stolen your brother away from you and your father when you don’t know a soul,” she says, smiling brightly at Dad.
She’s still gripping my hand. “Yes,” I answer bluntly.
She laughs.
