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AMILLE WATCHED THE manor grow smaller in the side mirror as her mother drove them out of the estate grounds toward town. The morning fog gave her new home an ominous look, hovering around the grounds as though trying to shield the manor from prying eyes. Ignoring the chill shooting through her, she turned to her mother. “Did you know my new school has a library named after us?”
Her mother smiled. “No, I didn’t, but it’s hardly surprising. I imagine we’ll see more than one reference to the family name as we get to know the area better.”
“Awesome...” Camille replied dryly.
“The manor and the LeRoux family have been the backbone of the town for a long time. It’s a huge part of the history here. I know we didn’t know your uncle, but you should still be proud to be a part of such a legacy,” her mother explained.
“It’s kind of cool, sure. But it’s going to be hard enough as the new kid without being a LeRoux too.”
“You’ll be fine. You’ll make friends in no time. Who knows? It might even be easier because you’re a LeRoux.”
“Yeah, they’ll know all about the new girl who lives in the creepy house.”
“It’s not creepy...” her mother replied. Camille turned and looked at her mother, eyebrows raised. Her mother flashed her a quick sideways glance and laughed. “Okay, it’s a little bit creepy. But that’s only because it hasn’t been looked after. Once we give it a good once-over, it’ll feel much less intimidating.”
“If you say so...” Camille replied, turning back to gaze out the window.
“Can you go to the bookstore and pick up your school order while I pick up a few things for your father from the hardware store? Then we’ll go and get your uniforms. Or is your wrist too sore again after the windows?” Her mother slowed as she spotted an empty parking space amidst the row of cars lining the side of the road.
“It’s achy, but I think it’s fine,” Camille replied. “I only need a few books.” She watched impatiently as her mother parked the car, barely waiting for her to turn the engine off before she unclicked her seat belt and opened the door. I’ll meet you back here.” She slung her bag over her shoulder, jumped out of the car, and walked briskly toward the bookstore. She was surprised how cold the morning was and wished she’d worn something warmer. She still wasn’t used to the change in climate.
When she reached the bookstore, she waited briefly for the doors to slide open and was instantly grateful for the warm air that greeted her. Camille stepped inside and stared, rubbing her hands together and waiting to warm up.
“Not bad for a small-town bookstore, right?”
Camille jumped and turned to find a girl about her own age standing beside her, wearing a polo shirt with the store’s name on it. “Sorry,” she replied with a smile. “I guess I just wasn’t expecting it to be so... big.”
The girl laughed. “Well, Woodville boasts the title of ‘coldest town in England’, so people like to stay inside and read a lot. You’re new here, right?” The girl reached up to adjust her already immaculate blonde ponytail, her blue eyes warm and friendly.
“Is it that obvious?” Camille felt suddenly boyish and self-conscious next to the curvy, naturally beautiful girl in front of her.
“Only because we rarely ever get new people here. So, you’re big news.”
Camille pulled a face before she’d had time to censor herself.
“Oh, don’t worry. Everyone’s super friendly here. Well, most people. I mean, every town and school have their jerks, but for the most part, everyone’s lovely. Plus, you’re a LeRoux, so you kind of have an inherent respect happening.”
“Oh,” Camille replied, unsure how else to respond. “How did you know I was a LeRoux?”
The girl laughed. “Like I said, it’s a small town. I’m pretty sure Miss Liddell, the librarian, let the cat out of the bag. Also, everyone was super curious about what would happen when Mr LeRoux died. The whole town thought he was the last of the family, so it was all very shocking,” she said playfully.
Camille couldn’t help but smile; the girl’s enthusiasm was infectious. “Well, I’m Camille,” she said.
“Oh! I’m sorry. I’m Grace Harker. We’re both seniors at Woodville High, so we’re bound to have some classes together. Speaking of school, you’re here to get your books, right?” Camille nodded. “Great. I’ll go grab them from the back for you.”
“Is it okay if I have a look around first?”
“Sure thing. Just come up to the counter when you’re ready, and I’ll have them waiting for you.” Grace smiled and walked off.
Camille looked around, unsure where to start. Her gaze rose up to the second-floor balustrade and a sign that marked the books there as the History section. So, she headed to the narrow staircase running up the side of the wall and took the steps two at a time. On the second floor, the wooden floorboards creaked under the carpet as she walked from one row of shelves to the next. Then she found a small section titled ‘Local History’. Kneeling, Camille perused the titles, many of which she’d already seen at the library. Her eyes fell on a rather thick volume—Woodville: A Complete History. When she pulled it from the shelf, she turned it over and balked at the price. It would take a huge chunk out of her holiday savings. Yet as she opened the book and saw some the photos frequenting almost every page, she knew she had to have it. Disallowing herself the opportunity to even look sideways at another book, she hurried back down the stairs and to the front counter, heaving the extra volume onto the counter.
Grace chuckled. “Planning to brush up on some local history before school starts?”
“Something like that.”
“I know you don’t have your student card yet, but I’ll give you the student discount.”
“Awesome! Thanks.” Camille was more than grateful to save a little more money.
Grace scanned the back of the Woodville book but didn’t touch the textbooks. “The schoolbooks have already been paid for,” she said as she pushed over a huge stack of books bound in string across the counter. She laughed at Camille’s baffled expression. “Yeah, you can’t carry all these on your own. Do you have far to go?”
“My mum’s waiting for me at the car just up the street a little. I’ll go grab her to help me.”
“What? Don’t be silly. I’ll help you carry them out.” Grace turned and called out to another staff member to come watch the register, then she picked up the stack of schoolbooks.
“At least let me carry the big stack,” Camille offered.
“Don’t worry about it. I actually carry books for a living, you know,” Grace replied. She made carrying the entire bound pile look incredibly easy. Camille couldn’t help feeling bad, but her aching wrist and stiff shoulders screamed at her under the weight of the one Woodville book she did carry. “My friends and I are meeting up after I finish work for burgers at Rick’s,” Grace added as they headed out the door. “It’s a tradition we’ve had since we were in primary school. We always go the night before school starts up again. Even though we pretty much spend most of our time there, anyway. Do you want to come along? Meet a few friendly faces before tomorrow?”
“I don’t want to change up your tradition...” Camille replied shyly.
“Oh, you wouldn’t. It’ll be nice to have someone new to talk to.”
“Okay. I mean, I’ll have to check with Mum first, but I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
Her mother looked up from where she leaned against the car, her eyebrows raised in surprise as Camille and Grace approached. She quickly opened the back door so Grace could offload the books.
“Mum, this is Grace. She works in the bookstore. Same year as me at school.”
“Nice to meet you, Grace.”
“You too, uh...”
“You can call me Allysha,” Camille’s mother replied with a smile.
“Nice to meet you, Allysha.”
“Mum, Grace and some of her friends are meeting up later for burgers. Is it okay if I go?” Allysha glanced from one girl to the other. “I don’t see a problem with that. So long as you’re home by nine.”
“Mum...” Camille groaned in embarrassment.
“It’s fine,” Grace said. “We all have to be home by then, anyway. First day of school tomorrow and all that. We can come pick you up around six, if that works. My mum’s dropping me and Jayne off.”
Camille smiled gratefully at her mother as she exchanged numbers with Grace.
“Well, I’d better get back to work. They’ll be wondering where I am. Was nice to meet you, Allysha.”
“You too, Grace.”
“See you later, Camille.” With a smile, Grace turned and hurried back toward the shop.
