#lily walker

Camille had stared at him with hurt in her eyes as he kept digging himself a hole. When he had realised that he had gone too far, she was standing apart from him, her body rigid and her face set like stone.

She had left abruptly after that. He hadn't heard from her for weeks. Until that day when she appeared at his front door and looked him straight in the eyes.

‘I’m leaving,’ she had told him, her voice cracking.

He had blinked in confusion. ‘You’re.. what?’

Camille cleared her throat, clearly fighting to be strong despite the fact her heart was breaking.

‘I’m leaving,’ she repeated. ‘I’m moving to New York. Fresh start.’

Drake stared at her. He could feel the rush of guilt envelop him. He cast his eyes down to see the suitcase beside her on the porch. The slow realisation dawned on him that she wasn't fucking around.

‘Camille..’ he said, his voice wavering. ‘Please don't go. Please.’

She shook her head. ‘You made it clear that night that what we did was a mistake-’

‘That’s no reason to leave!’ Drake burst out. ‘New York is hours away! What if I wanted-’

‘Wanted WHAT?’ Camille interrupted, her voice raised. ‘Wanted to change your mind?’

Drake swallowed. He cast his eyes down and then looked back at her, wishing he knew what to say.

‘Do you want to change your mind?’ Camille asked in a small voice. She sounded almost hopeful.

Drake's eyes flicked from Camille's face down to her stomach. He couldn't see any signs yet.

‘Camille..’ he murmured. ‘I can't.’

Camille's fingers clenched around the handle of the suitcase. She raised her chin and gone was the hope in her eyes.

‘I came here to give you a second chance,’ she told him. ‘I thought if I came here and told you I was leaving, you might realise that this is it. This is your moment-’

‘Not everyone wants to be a parent, Camille,’ Drake cut in, deliberately making his voice cold.

‘I know that,’ Camille said, ‘But I thought.. knowing it's yours.. you might think differently.’

Drake knew what he needed to do. He needed to change her mind. Make her realise that coming here was her biggest mistake. Even if it hurt him too. ‘You thought wrong.’

She stepped back like she'd been pushed. ‘Okay..’ she whispered softly. ‘Okay, Drake. Have it your way.’

Drake kept his back ramrod straight and kept his eyes focused ahead, trying to avoid looking at her for too long. He couldn't crack.

‘This is going to be the biggest mistake you've ever made,’ Camille croaked. Tears were filling her eyes now. ‘Maybe not right now but years from now, you're going to regret this.’

Drake pressed his lips together. ‘You don't get to dictate how I live my life,’ he finally said. ‘Respect my wishes.’

Camille looked down and nodded. ‘Bye Drake,’ she said. She took her suitcase and pulled it harshly down the porch steps behind her.

She left Drake standing on the porch and that was the last time he had seen her.

And now, nine months later, he was sitting at this bar, his usual haunt, drinking his usual whiskey, feeling like his usual shitty self.

His mother, Bianca, had been the one to break the news to him that morning. She had heard from Camille's grandmother, Gisele, and felt it was her duty to tell him.

Camille had given birth to Drake's baby.

A daughter.

Drake had a baby girl.

****************

FIVE YEARS LATER

‘Okay, honey, do you have your scarf?’

‘Yes!’

‘Gloves?’

‘In my pocket!’

Camille was bundling her daughter, Lily, out of the door, making sure that she was ready for school. They were running late and Camille was cursing herself that she hadn't just let Lily wear her favourite tutu. Instead, she had spent ten minutes coaxing Lily to wear something more suitable for the wintery conditions outside, such as a fuzzy sweater, fleece lined leggings, snow boots and her pink glitter raincoat.

Lily was Camille's double. She had the same dark hair and brown eyes with gold flecks. The same pixie nose.

She had her dad's smirk that she used whenever she was trying to get her way.

Camille took Lily's hand and together, they dashed through the snow, Lily skidding as she went.

As they rushed through the streets, Lily told Camille all about how she was excited to do Show and Tell.

‘I’m going to bring in my snail,’ Lily told her. ‘He’s so slimy!’

‘Will Miss Lee want a snail in her classroom?’ Camille asked, urging Lily to cross the road with her.

‘Yes!’ Lily trilled. ‘She even asked what his names is!’

‘What’s his name?’

‘Steve!’

Lily had also inherited her dad's love of the outdoors and nature. Hours she spent in the little communal garden of the apartment building they lived in, watching the wildlife, trying to find the perfect pet.

The two of them carried on rushing through the streets of Soho until twenty minutes later, they reached Lily's school just before the bell rang.

Camille crouched down to face Lily. They quickly did their ‘Lily and Mommy’ secret handshake which involved a series of hand gestures which ended with a kiss.

‘Love you, honey,’ Camille whispered in her ear. ‘Have the best day.’

Lily grinned. ‘You too mommy.’

*******************

Camille arrived at work swept off her feet.

‘God, finally!’ Olivia greeted her, placing a cup of coffee on her desk. ‘Any later and I've had to call in special favours for our presentation this morning.’

Camille winced. She sat down on her chair and quickly pulled her snow boots off, replacing them with the nude Manolo stilettos she kept in her drawer. ‘Sorry, Liv. I'm here now! Ready to present my ass off.’

Olivia gave her a wink. ‘All good, babe. Late night?’

Camille sighed. ‘Lily wanted to wear a tutu instead of something more suitable for the snow. Took ten minutes trying to convince her, common sense over fashion eventually won out.’

Olivia rolled her eyes. ‘You’re such a kill joy.’

‘Can’t have her freezing to death..’ Camille muttered before taking a welcome sip of coffee.

Olivia studied Camille for a moment. ‘I’m sorry babe, but again, I have to ask. Where's Lily's shithead dad in all of this?’

‘Texas,’ Camille sighed.

She knew she was in for another of Olivia's lectures. They were best friends even though they were polar opposites.

‘I know he didn't want anything to do with Lily,’ Olivia said quietly, ‘but come on. You do so much. You've had to take reduced hours so you can see her after school and spend the evenings with her. You're always rushed off your feet making sure she wears actual clothes instead of ballerina tutus. You haven't been on a date in five years -’

‘That’s just the way I like it,’ Camille cut in. ‘I don't want to date. I don't want random guys viewing my daughter as baggage. She's the love of my life and that's that.’

End of conversation.

Camille never regretted leaving Texas. She never regretted uprooting her entire life. She never regretted being a single mother.

When she had found out she was pregnant, Camile had been scared, sure. But she had also been certain.

Lots of women didn't want kids. Camille was always of the mindset ‘you do you.’ Live life the way you choose.

But Camille had always wanted kids. Losing her mother at a young age had instilled in her this ache for a family, no matter how small. She just wanted someone to love. She had so much love to give and having Lily had been the best thing that had ever happened to her.

When Drake had told her that he didn't want to be father, that he wasn't cut out for the role.. it had hurt her. She understood that lots of men didn't want children. But he had been so harsh with her. So cold. It was like he had deliberately tried his best to hurt her feelings.

Walking away from Drake was a decision Camille never regretted. Having his baby was a decision she never regretted.

Because Camille lived her life exactly the way she wanted to. She never wanted to have regrets.

******************

Camille finished work at 3pm so she could pick up Lily from school. As they walked home, Lily chattered about her day and how much she liked her teacher.

She was a happy child. Always bursting with vitality, she was a social butterfly and curious about everything.

Lily had only asked Camille twice about her daddy. Wondered why only she and a boy in her class called Luke didn't have one.

‘Because we're meant to be a family of two,’ Camille told her truthfully. ‘Nobody gets inside our little circle.’

That was how they worked. How they viewed their life together. Camille and Lily against the world.

Their little circle of two.

**************

That evening, Camille was cooking spaghetti while Lily played on the kitchen floor with her Barbie doll. She rarely strayed from Camille’s side.

The phone rang. Lily jumped up to take it off the hook and said in her most polite voice, ‘Montespan residence!’

She blinked and looked up at Camille who was crossing the kitchen to take the phone.

‘Mommy, it's a lady called Bianca?’

Camille’s blood ran cold.

Drake's mom.

******************

Camille quickly took the phone and cleared her throat. She hadn't spoken to Bianca Walker for years. If she wasn't her grandmother's neighbour, Camille would have happily washed her hands of Drake and the rest of his family.

‘Hi Bianca,’ she greeted her. ‘Everything okay?’

Bianca sounded nervous. ‘Hey, sweetie.. how are you?’

‘I’m good, you?’

Camille really didn't want to talk to Bianca. She didn't want to hear a Texas accent.

‘It’s your grandmother,’ Bianca said. ‘She’s not well. I.. I think you should come home.’

Camille felt her heart drop. Not her grandma.

Gisele had supported Camille in her decision to leave Texas. Of course, she would have loved to help Camille raise baby Lily but she also knew her granddaughter did not want to live in the same town as Drake Walker.

Gisele would visit twice a year. One week during the summer and one week in the winter. It wasn't much but Camille didn't want Gisele travelling far in her old age.

‘How long has she been bad?’ Camille asked quietly, taking care not to alarm Lily.

‘About a month,’ Bianca told her. ‘She hasn't been right. Frail. Not her usual energetic self. You know how she is.’

Gisele Montespan was, quite simply, fabulous. She was French and loved treating herself to the luxurious things in life. She was confident and witty, never taking any shit. She never saved anything for a special occasion. For Gisele, life was the special occasion.

‘We’ll be back as soon as we can,’ Camille decided. ‘I’ll speak to Lily's teacher, see if she can send through online learning.’

There was an awkward silence until Bianca broke it.

‘How is she?’

Camille swallowed. Bianca had never met her granddaughter.

‘She’s great,’ Camille said simply.

‘Camille, please can I see her? I know Drake didn't want a part of it but I always did and that has never changed-’

‘No,’ Camille interrupted. ‘I’m sorry Bianca. It's not you. It's just I don't want things to get complicated. It's only us, the two of us. Anyone new will make it all… jumbled and confused.’

Bianca sighed. ‘Okay honey. But I'm here if you need me. If Lily needs me. You're both my family, regardless of what my son thinks.’

The call ended not long after that. As Lily continued to play with her Barbie, Camille thought about taking her to Texas.

She needed to see Gisele.

Hopefully Camille wouldn't see Drake. She hoped he would have moved but something told her that he was doing exactly the same thing as he was five years ago. Drake was a creature of habit.

If she bumped into Drake, she would make sure that he would not get to know Lily. He made his decision five years ago that he didn't want to be part of Lily's life.

Drake and Camille crouched down to say goodbye to their four year old daughter. They were going away to the south coast for a week to soak up sunshine, swim, hike and have lots of sex. Lots and lots of sex. It was their anniversary holiday after all.

'Okay so we'll see you at the end of the week, baby! I'll miss you!' Camille cooed, bringing Lily in for a cuddle. Drake then reached out and pressed a kiss on her head.

Lily was bouncing up and down with excitement. She was so ready to spend seven days with her Aunt Olivia and Uncle Leo.

'Thank you so much for doing this,' Camille said, giving Olivia a hug next. 'You're the best.'

Olivia and Leo waved them off before coming back into the kitchen where Lily was unpacking her books. 'So, let's show you your room!' Leo said cheerily.

He took her upstairs. Their house was very modern and minimal, white walls with floor to ceiling windows, a glass staircase and expensive artwork decorating the walls. It was, to put it bluntly, not a child friendly home. The sharp edges and glass was enough to give Camille a panic attack but she trusted her friends to look after her daughter.

The guest bedroom was white and minimal but with flashes of red. Red cushions, a red rug and red silk curtains. Lily jumped onto the bed and lay like a starfish. 'Comfy,' she said. It had her seal of approval.

Leo put Lily's rucksack on the chair. 'Okay, so it's nearly dinner time, I was thinking spaghetti with ALL OF THE MEATBALLS?!'

Lily squealed. 'And cheese!'

'A dinner for champions!' Leo hollered. He took Lily downstairs to start getting dinner ready. Drake had told him that she loved helping with mealtimes, though she couldn't do much, she still felt felt pleased when she was allowed to stir the bowl or taste test.

Olivia was helping herself to a glass of wine and jumped when Lily bounded in. She wasn't used to kids in her own space. It felt weird.

'We're having spaghetti and meatballs,' Leo told her. Olivia wrinkled her nose. 'Ugh, carbs.'

'Have spaghetti with us!' Lily cried. 'Pleaaaaase!'

Leo gave Olivia an amused look. Olivia sighed. 'Fine. But only a small portion for me.'

She sat down at the kitchen island with her wine and magazine, occasionally looking up to watch her boyfriend make meatballs with her god daughter. She felt a twinge in her heart. Oh god, sentiment.

'Now we're gonna sprinkle some oregano on the meatballs to give them a good flavour,' Leo instructed. Lily watched him carefully and copied him. She was sitting on the tall chair of the kitchen island with an apron over her body to protect her wooly white jumper and her blue leggings with silver embroidered stars. On her feet, she was wearing furry UGG boots. Olivia had to admit that Lily looked adorable. 

‘Hey, let’s play some music while we cook,’ Leo suggested. He turned to the Alexa pod. ‘Alexa! Play.. Wake Me Up Before You Go Go!’

‘Playing Wake Me Up Before You Go Go by Wham,’ Alexa said in her monotone voice. The song began to fill the room. 

‘Jitterbug!’ Leo sang, twirling around. Lily clapped her hands and giggled as she watched him. It was like Leo had turned into her Uncle Maxwell, who was the best dancer she knew. 

Olivia stared at Leo with a look of bewilderment on her face. Who was this guy? What had he done with her usually cool and sexy boyfriend? Since when did he like Wham?

She asked him that very question. Leo shot her a lazy smile and gestured to Lily. ‘Look at her.’

Olivia looked at Lily and saw that she was swinging her feet along to the music while sprinkling oregano on the meatballs.  She was in her element.

          *************************************************************

After dinner, Olivia took Lily upstairs for her bath. She studied the shampoo that Camille had given her for Lily’s hair. It smelled like lavender. 

‘Right, arms up,’ Olivia instructed. Lily raised her arms and Olivia gently pulled Lily’s jumper off. Soon, the little girl was in the bath, sloshing around in the water. 

Olivia poured some shampoo into the palm of her hand and proceeded to rub it into Lily’s hair. 

‘Aunt Olivia...’ Lily said, her voice questioning.

‘Yeah babe?’

Lily looked at her shyly. ‘Will you take me to playgroup tomorrow? I want everyone to see you.’

Olivia smirked. ‘Of course I will. What are the kids at playgroup like?’

‘Nice,’ Lily said. ‘Milo's my favourite.'

'Who's Milo?'

Lily blushed. 'A boy.'

Olivia stopped washing her hair and fixed her with a steady stare. 'Lily.. Do you have a boyfriend?'

Lily burst out laughing and ducked her head under the water. When she emerged, she wrinkled her nose. 'Ewww.'

'Lily?' Olivia's voice was lilting. 'Are you k-i-s-s-i-n-g?'

'Nooooooooo!' Lily shrieked. Olivia laughed and began to comb conditioner through Lily's hair. She wondered in amusement what Drake would say if he knew. She had a feeling that Drake would be the stereotypical overprotective father who vetted boyfriends or girlfriends with a shotgun in his lap.

'Babe, it's okay to like boys.'

Lily turned red. 'He's nice. My friend Violet likes Harry but he pushes her over which makes her cry. Katie says it's because Harry likes Violet.'

Olivia rolled her eyes. 'Ugh, boys. By the way, if Milo starts pushing you in the playground or tugging your hair, that's not because he likes you, it's because he's a d bag.'

'D bag?'

Olivia smiled conspiratorially. 'You'll understand when you're older.'

                           *************************************************

Day 2

Olivia got out the car and took Lily's hand to cross the road. Lily was fizzing with excitement - aunt Olivia was taking her to playgroup! Her friends would see her! She could show Olivia her classroom!

Olivia studied the playgroup mothers who were kissing and hugging their four year olds goodbye.

Ugh, if I ever wear pyjamas to a school run or whatever, kill me.

Olivia was not dressed in pyjamas. She was wearing black leather trousers, ankle boots with a spindly heel, red sweater and black leather jacket. She looked, if she said so herself, hot. 

They reached the school gates. The mothers turned to gawp at Olivia - for one thing, she was the Duchess of Lythikos, she was famous. They had met Camille and Drake many times but they always exuded an air of normality.. Olivia didn’t. Olivia looked intimidating, she looked regal, she looked powerful. 

One mother cleared her throat and went over to say hello. ‘Hi there. I’m Stacey, Milo’s mom.’

Olivia gave her a smirk. ‘Milo, huh?’

Stacey blinked. ‘Yes, my son, that’s him over there.’ She pointed to a small boy with dark hair down to his shoulders. Olivia felt he would become a surfer boy type when he grew up; not a Duke, no, but still good for Lily. 

Lily jumped up and down. ‘This is my aunt Olivia!’ 

Olivia extended a hand and shook Stacey’s. Stacey grinned. ‘Olivia, the Duchess of Lythikos! So nice to meet you at last.’

‘Charmed,’ Olivia said shortly. 

‘So where is Camille?’ Stacey asked. 

‘She and Drake are having a sexcation,’ Olivia replied. ‘They need it.’ 

Stacey blinked. ‘Oh, okay. Good for them, huh?!’ 

Lily had left the women to drag over Milo and another little girl with glasses and plaits. ‘Aunt Olivia, this is Milo and this is Violet!’

Olivia looked down at the children; they stared up at her in terror. ‘She’s my favourite!’ Lily whispered. 

Olivia smiled. ‘Okay, babe, let’s get you into class.’ 

She took Lily’s hand but was stopped by Stacey. ‘Oh, sorry, just a moment.’ Stacey said. ‘I was wondering if you wanted to join our book club?’

Olivia stared at her. ‘Excuse me?’

‘Well, we keep asking Camille to join but she’s so busy that she always says she can’t. We meet up every Wednesday night at mine for  a cup of tea and to discuss our Book of the Month, it’s just nice to get together without the kids, you know?’

‘But I’m not a parent..’

‘No, but you are now at our gates!’ Stacey said excitedly. ‘You can be an honourary member. Plus, it would really boost our membership if we had a Duchess join.’ 

‘Has it occurred to you that maybe I’m too busy to talk about books?’ Olivia asked bluntly.  Stacey went pink. ‘Oh. I didn’t mean to cause offence..’

Olivia smirked. ‘You didn’t, I don’t get offended easily. Tell you what; if the tea is replaced with wine, then I’ll consider it.’ 

Stacey clapped her hands in delight. ‘Perfect! I’ll suggest that to Jennifer!’ 

Olivia took Lily and guided her into the building, keen to get away. Why had she said that? She hated all that kind of crap. Well done, Nevrakis. You’re now part of the mommy set. Good effort seeing as you’re not a mom and you hate kids. 

Lily looked up at Olivia as they walked to her classroom, giving her a wide beaming smile.

Okay, I like one kid. 

      ********************************************************************************

‘Hey Liv, how’s it going with Lily?’ Camille asked down the phone. 

Olivia was reclining on the chaise lounge with her feet up on the table, drying her toenails that were now painted red. A glass of red wine sat on the table beside her, despite the fact it was 11am. 

Well, it was five o’clock somewhere, right?

‘Great,’ Olivia said. ‘Dropped her at playgroup earlier. I’m now part of their book club, kill me now.’

‘How the hell did they get you to join that?’ 

‘No idea. I suggested they replace the tea with wine, Stacey said she would suggest it, now I’m a member. How have you managed to avoid it?’

Camille laughed. ‘I just keep acting like I’m an important person with very important things to do. They’re lovely women, honestly, I just don’t want to join the book club.. I’d rather stay home with Drake and Lily, you know?’

‘Speaking of Drake, how’s the fucking?’ Olivia asked. ‘Vaseline and clingfilm going down a treat?’

‘It’s... interesting..’ Camille replied. 

Olivia smirked and had a sip of wine. ‘You’ll thank me at the end of the week.’ 

‘I gotta go, actually,’ Camille said. ‘I just wanted to check in and see that you’re surviving.’

Olivia rolled her eyes. ‘We’re fine. You got a good kid, Camille.’ 

The two friends hung up. Olivia stretched out and wiggled her toes which were now dry and looking beautifully red. 

‘Hey, gorgeous.’ 

Leo came into the room fresh from his shower with his towel wrapped around his waist. ‘Ooh, nice nails,’ he commented, before leaning down to kiss her on the mouth. Olivia’s hand roamed down his chest to under the towel area, until she found what she wanted. 

‘Hey, big boy.’

Leo gave her a wolfish grin and took the towel off. He was all golden; golden skin, golden hair. His abs were chiselled and his shoulders were broad. He was a golden God. 

‘Come here and fuck me,’ Olivia said. Leo’s eyes darkened. 

‘I was going to.’ 

          ***************************************************************************

Lily was excited to finish playgroup so she could see Olivia and Leo. They were all she had talked about all morning. Olivia picked her up, and they talked about her day in the car as Olivia drove them home.  She then spent the afternoon building a fort with Leo. 

That evening, Olivia got her ready for bath time before bundling her up in a wooly dressing gown. Olivia then wrapped her own silk red dressing gown around her body. 

In the kitchen, Olivia poured herself a glass of wine, aware that Lily was studying her in fascination.

'What are you drinking?' she asked.

Olivia smirked. 'Grape juice.'

'Can I have some?'

Olivia laughed. This child was so funny. 'Sorry, it's adult grape juice, babe. But hey, wait a second.'

Olivia found a carton of cranberry juice and poured it into a wine glass for Lily. Lily's eyes lit up. She felt so fancy with her own wine glass. Much more fun than the plastic cups she had at home. 

The two of them settled down in the living room dressed in their dressing gowns and wine glasses in hand.

'Can we watch Peppa Pig?' Lily asked. Olivia shrugged. 'Sure thing, babe. One episode then bedtime, okay?'

Lily snuggled up into Olivia and they watched Peppa Pig, cosy together. Olivia looked down at Lily who was entranced with the TV show. This wasn’t hard. Why were Drake and Camille always acting like they were exhausted? Having a kid was a walk in the park. She’d have to give them pointers. 

After the episode finished, Olivia took Lily up to bed. She kissed her softly on the forehead and tucked her in, a rare display of love. When Olivia went to leave the room, Lily cried out, ‘Wait!’

Olivia turned. ‘What’s up hun?’

Lily wrung the duvet in her hands, her eyes wide. ‘Can you leave the door open?’ she asked quietly. 

‘Why?’

‘I’m scared of the monsters.’

Olivia sighed and sat down on the edge of the bed. ‘Lily, there’s no such thing as monsters.’ 

Lily nodded quickly. ‘There is. They live under the bed.’ 

Olivia looked down below the bed; there were just storage boxes underneath. ‘Babe, monsters aren’t in here.’

‘Because you’re here, they hide, but when you go, they will be under the bed,’ Lily replied, her voice becoming high pitched with panic. 

‘Shh babe..’ Olivia whispered. She thought to herself. Sure, she could leave the door open but Olivia had been taught from a young age that to feel fear was a silly emotion and by keeping the door open, Lily was letting that fear control her. Of course, Olivia had a shit upbringing but she could use some of the stuff she had been taught as a springboard. 

‘Okay, wait a second,’ she said. She rushed out and came back in a moment later holding a teddy bear. 

‘So, this is my old teddy bear,’ Olivia said. ‘His name is Ernest..’

‘Ernest..’

‘Yup. Now, Ernest protected me from monsters all the time. He taught me how to be brave. He kept me safe. Here, take him. He will keep you safe. Now, monsters don’t exist but if they ever did, Ernest will sound the alarm! He will tell me and I will come through and protect you too.’ 

‘You will?’

‘Yup. Ernest watches over you all night. If he sees anything, he will tell me so fast that the monsters won’t stand a chance.’ 

Lily smiled and hugged Ernest to her body. ‘Okay.’

‘Now, I’m going to shut the door, okay?’ Olivia said gently. ‘I promise, there’s nothing in here. But you’ve got Ernest. Ernest is a good bear.’ 

Lily nodded bravely and settled down under the duvet, holding Ernest close. Olivia kissed her again and left the room. 

In the dark, Lily clenched hold of Ernest tightly. She then quickly moved so she was hanging over the side of the bed and she hissed, ‘If you get me, my aunt Olivia will kill you!’

She snuggled back under the duvet, feeling much better now. 

                          **********************************************

Day 3

Olivia had her kickboxing class at 8.30am which meant Leo was in charge of taking Lily to playgroup. Lily had insisted on wearing her pink ballerina outfit and furry UGG boots and Leo wasn't going to argue with that. Each to their own. 

He shrugged on his leather jacket and put on his aviator sunglasses. He carried her Tangled rucksack which was emblazoned with images of Pascal, Flynn Rider and Rapunzel as they wandered to his Cadillac, which was his second favourite thing in the world, after Olivia. 

Leo blasted the radio for them and they sang along to the songs as Leo drove through Cordonia to get to playgroup.

When they arrived, Leo escorted Lily into the building where the mothers were standing outside the classroom talking. They stopped when they saw Leo.

'Oh my god, it's the Prince..' one of them breathed.

‘He looks like a model...’

‘Do we have to curtsey?’

Leo crouched down to say goodbye to Lily. 'Right kiddo, I'll pick you up at 12.'

Lily hugged him tightly.

'Make good choices!' Leo told her. 'Don't do anything I would do!'

Lily skipped into the classroom with her tutu billowing around her. Leo stood back up, watching her go, until he became aware of the five women staring at him with their mouths hanging open. He gave them his lopsided smile and raised his hand in greeting. 

‘Hey there.’ 

He turned and walked away, shaking his head in amusement as he heard the women squeal.