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‘Of course...sorry.’
I hurry to their side, all smiles and encouragement, but my heart races in a panicked staccato, and my eyes are trying to keep abreast of Edward and his parents while also performing for the children and the camera.
‘Now, if you’ll all just face me and smile...’
It’s then that his mother slaps him. One deft crack across his cheek. And I swear the room freezes, my blood runs cold. Cold, but hot. Hot with rage.
How dare she?
She might be hurting, but—
‘Miss Evans? Miss Evans...?’
I blink, refocus. The journalist is talking to me, the music is still playing, people are talking. I look back to Edward, but all I see is his exiting form, steering his mother firmly from the room, his father trailing behind.
I look back to where they were standing. No one else seems to have noticed. In fact, most eyes are trained on me and the children, having our picture taken...
And if you don’t start performing soon, they’ll know something’s amiss.
I force my grin wide. ‘Let’s try that again, shall we, kids?’
I crouch down to their level and pull them in for a hug. I have a job to do. I’m the Princess and this ball is for them... I can deal with the evil stepmother in due course.
And deal with her, I will.
If Katherine’s wake-up call wasn’t enough, she’s about to get another...with both barrels.
