Page 19 of Your Coffin or Mine
It’s her, but different from the woman I’ve seen since she arrived. Photos, so many photos of her in different outfits, makeup, and poses. Some of her at the beach, smiling and completely at ease.
“What is this?” I stare down at the small screen, transfixed.
“You don’t know what Instagram is?”
I choose to ignore her, my fingers sliding across the device to reveal row upon row of pictures that have captured her innocence and fire. Eventually I come across a photo of her with a male, her face tucked close to his and her eyes shining.
My eyes narrow and jealousy rears its head. I hand the phone back to her and start the car.
“Hey, I need like five more minutes.”
“No. The internet should be up and running at the castle, and I refuse to sit in this car another moment waiting on you to get your telegram fix.” My tone is harsh and unyielding even to myself, but there’s no way in hell I will sit here while she pines after some insignificant human.
“It’s Instagram. And yeah, you’re probably right.”
She sighs and throws her head back against the seat as we pull away to head back to the castle.
“Something wrong?”
“Yeah. You could say that, but it’ll blow over.”
We sit in silence for a moment, and I glance at her. My chest tightens at the forlorn expression on her face. The fiery woman that told me off in the boutique is nowhere to be found, and for some reason, it bothers me.
“Who is that man?”
Her lips purse as her eyes squint. “What man?”
I breathe in and attempt to keep the irritation out of my voice. “The one in your photos.”
Her nose wrinkles with disgust. “No one important.”
She turns away to look out the window, and I can see the sadness etched across her reflection. Eventually she will tell me; my curiosity won’t allow for anything less.
“Apart from you owning a woefully inadequate wardrobe, what is it you do?”
“Jesus. You sound like a grandpa.” She shoves her elbow on the window rest and pouts with her chin on her fist. “I’m a social media influencer... or trying to be.”
“Social media?” How does one influence social media? I thought that’s what reporters were for.Shit.Did we let a reporter in the hotel?
“Yeah, you know, like YouTube?”
“I see.” You tube? Absolutely no idea.
Silence yawns between us and I find myself wanting to fill it.
I dip my head as I drive. “Do you like music?”
She looks at me curiously and nods. “Yeah. I mean, who doesn’t?”
I turn the radio on and realize it’s probably the first time it’s ever been touched in the vehicle, having preferred to play pieces on my piano myself.
A woman croons about wanting to have fun, and Aubrey’s face lights up instantly.
“Oh, I love Adele,” she gushes, before mouthing the words, and I grin to myself. She sings along, blushing and giggling.
The light tinkle of her laughter causes warmth to spread through me. Who is this creature? I want to learn everything I can about her immediately. She continues to hum along as we pull under the arch of the castle gates.
“Oh wait!” She points at the windscreen. “Pull off right here.”
