Shell

“We followed her up the path and to the front door. We stood
at the door while Camille knocked a few times then listened for
the tapping of footsteps against what sounded like a very old
wooden floor. The door opened, and a beautiful young woman
stood there smiling at us all.
She had long red hair and pretty freckles across her face. I was
about to say hello when Fran butted in, “Grandma?”
― Sophie Wilkinson, The Beginning

“Ladies, bonjour. My name’s Madame Fi-Fi.” Her French
accent was thick, and I could hardly understand a word she was
saying. “Welcome to the Gay Paris.”
We both sniggered under our breaths, immature I know;
Madame Fi-Fi gave us a stern look.
“You are the new dancers?” she asked, sounding pretty
disappointed. “You looked taller in your pictures”
“Erm…” Fran smiled. “We were wearing high heels.” Fran got
on her tiptoes and fell over and knocked over a coatrack.
Great first impressions.”
― Sophie Wilkinson, The Beginning

“Hi, Francis, or do you prefer Fran?” She sipped at her
milkshake through a straw. She reminded me of a chipmunk after
eating way too much sugar. Not that I know what that looks like
or anything.”
― Sophie Wilkinson

“Fran panicked. “We’re all doomed!”
I looked at her and couldn’t help but smirk she seemed to
lighten my mood, whilst blackening her own. “But I’m not a spy,
Fran. Neither are you, we’re innocent!”
“I know that. You know that. But they are suspicious, all of
them.” She made a circle with her finger and pointed her eyes
toward a group of children that all seemed under the age of five.
“Yes.” I nodded. “Those children are really on to us.”
― Sophie Wilkinson, The Beginning