Page 21 (1/2)

"You know," I say to El as we get out of the car, "I don’t even like horses that much What if they sense that and feel disrespected?"

Ellie stops, turning to look at me There are two men in dark suits on either side of us, not David and Malcoluards I’hard at both staying close to

Impressive

"It’s just a race," she says, and I can see the reflection of lasses "And there are enough people here that we shouldn’t steal the focus"

"Frorimaces

"Daisy--"

"Is this the part where you tell ets with the lace on her hat "Relax, yes," she says "Definitely don’t be yourself, though Just" She steps closer, laying one gloved hand on my arm "I’m serious, Daisy I know you come by that ability to say whatever comes into your head naturally, but remember you’re not Dad"

I want to scoff at that, but she has a point

A point she’s going to keep , apparently "Just sives ht the urge to call after her, "Thanks for the pep talk!"

Instead, I just follow, my knees shaky and my face kind of nu these people, and it’s like I’ every tabloid cover, every headline that’s featured Ellie over the past year, and suddenly i my face, my name in them The few brushes with that life I’ve had have been ht--as we make our way froraphers or people shouting Ellie’s name There’s justa lot of posh people

And I mean a lot

This may still be the most horrible hat in all of creation, but at least I blend in I’ve never seen such an assort a concoction of blue, red, and green feathers on her head that makes me wonder if a parrot crash-landed in her hair I turn and see another girl with long dark hair and a truly gorgeous black-and-white suit rocking a pink hat with soout of an anatomy textbook

The hats are honestly so ridiculous and over the top that I wonder if this is just another part of the fancy life Do they wear stuff like this just to prove they can get aith it? Is this hazing via hats?

The girl in black and white with the slightly obscene hat approaches us, her shoulders stiff Next to her is a redhead all in light purple, her hat small and actually hat-like "Ellie!" the redhead says There’s a glass of chas irl is a little ht as she looks atback fro, "I’d like you to"Fliss" doesn’t see if I’m supposed to shake their hands or curtsy In the end, I just give a little wave "Hi"

"Are you enjoying your stay?" the redhead--Fliss--asks, and I give my best Ellie Smile

"I am It’s really lovely here"

That part is sincere, at least Everything I’ve seen of Scotland has been gorgeous, and this place is no exception Rolling hills, green grass, blue skyit’s a postcard of a day, ht colors

"I’ Poppy, the brunette, is watching me with a weird, almost-hostile look on her face, and I wonder what that’s all about