Total pages in book: 160
Estimated words: 164263 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 821(@200wpm)___ 657(@250wpm)___ 548(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 164263 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 821(@200wpm)___ 657(@250wpm)___ 548(@300wpm)
I flick the kettle on, unwrap my scarf and hang it on the brass wall hook in my office. My hair is loose today with the leftover curls in the ends from last night. I neaten it in the mirror and reapply my red lipstick.
“You ready?” Helene calls.
“Coming.” I pour the water into our tea cups and make my way out. “What are we doing?”
“We’ve already filmed the stock and did the walk-around; you just have to talk about one of the new arrivals and then talk about our market night in two weeks.”
“Right.” I frown. “It’s going to be hell.”
“I know, but we have so much new stock coming in and with nowhere to put it we need to get rid of some pieces. You know our market nights always sell out.”
“Okay.” I tuck my hair behind my ear as I look around the store. “Shall I talk about the lamps?”
“Yep, and go.”
“Hi, I’m Alora from Sorenson Antiques. Just popping on to say good morning to you all. Look what arrived yesterday.” I walk over and run my hand down the lamps. “Two Ming Dynasty lamps, in perfect condition. Sage green with 22-carat hand-painted gold filigree. These lamps are to die for.” I smile.
Helene circles her finger. “Keep going,” she mouths.
“And just a reminder about our market night that’s coming up. Huge discounts, never-seen-before pieces, beautiful art, and as usual we’ll have three mystery boxes and some lucky person will walk home with some very valuable items. There will be canapés, wine, and great company. Tickets go on sale this morning at 11 and as there are only a limited number available, they do always sell out within half an hour. I can’t wait to meet you all.” I smile and wave. “Au revoir.”
“And cut,” Helene says as she begins to play it back.
Jonty is scrolling through the paper on the front counter. “Oh look. What’s his name broke up with that princess.”
Helene’s and my eyes fly up. “Who?”
“That rich dude that bought the internship.”
“Edward?”
“Yeah, that’s him, Prescott.”
“Let me see.” I storm over and snatch the paper and Helene reads over my shoulder.
The love affair is over between the darlings of Monte Carlo’s social set.
Princess Hermione of Switzerland has reportedly broken up with her billionaire beau, casino mogul Edward Prescott.
Sources say Prescott ended it between them last week and she has officially moved back to Switzerland to nurse her broken heart.
No reason for the split has been revealed as yet, stay tuned on this one.
It’s sure to be juicy.
“Oh my god.” My eyes meet Helene’s. “I knew it,” she mouths.
“No way,” I mouth back.
“What?” Jonty looks between us. “What’s going on?”
“Prescott has the hots for Alora,” she announces. “I bet he left the princess for her.”
“He does not.” I roll my eyes. “There’s no way.”
“The way he looks at you, though.”
“He looks at every female like that,” I huff, and I walk around the store pretending to be busy. “That’s just him and his womanizing ways. He’s a raging sexaholic.”
“Uh-uh.” She shakes her head. “He doesn’t look at me like that. Oh how I wish he did.”
Jonty rolls his eyes, unimpressed. “If he was broke you two wouldn’t even care.”
“His big dick energy has nothing to do with money.” Helene smiles dreamily. “He could live under a bridge and I’d still fangirl over him.”
I get the giggles as I imagine Edward Prescott living under a bridge. “Anyway, who cares about him. We have bigger things to worry about.”
“Like what?”
“Getting ready for market night.”
“Oh yeah.” Helene looks around. “So what are we marking down?”
“Everything.”
DARKNESS
I type into Google:
The best place to buy high-quality disguises
facial prosthetics padded bodysuits
I read through the results, take my pen and paper and begin to take notes on websites.
I think for a moment. It’s imperative that I keep my search history on my devices clear….
Tomorrow I’ll buy a burner phone in another name.
ALORA
We walk up the wide sandstone stairs and I glance up at the painted ornate ceiling. “This museum is so beautiful,” I whisper.
“I know, my god, I had no idea, how haven’t we been here before?” Helene stops on the steps and tips her head back to really study it for a moment. “I want to live here.”
I continue up the stairs as I wonder if I will bump into anyone Edward knows tonight. “Do I look okay?”
“You look hot, I love this sixties vibe you’ve got going on.”
I glance down at myself, I’m wearing high-waisted denim jeans, they have a little pocket on each side at the front with a plaited material detail and the legs are bell bottoms. I’ve teamed them up with a black turtleneck and a cream vintage handbag and wedges. To top off the look my hair is curled and up in a high ponytail. “These jeans were the find of the century.” I run my hand down over my behind.