Secrets of a Teenage Heiress. Katy Birchall

      

      First published in paperback in Great Britain 2018

      by Egmont UK Limited

      The Yellow Building, 1 Nicholas Road, London W11 4AN

      Text copyright © 2018 Katy Birchall

      The moral rights of the author have been asserted

      First e-book edition 2018

      ISBN 978 1 4052 8650 3

      Ebook ISBN 978 1 7803 1786 1

       www.egmont.co.uk

      A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library

      All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

      Stay safe online. Any website addresses listed in this book are correct at the time of going to print. However, Egmont is not responsible for content hosted by third parties. Please be aware that online content can be subject to change and websites can contain content that is unsuitable for children. We advise that all children are supervised when using the internet.

       For Sam, Luke and Lily

       Have you read the It Girl series,

       also by Katy Birchall?

      Superstar Geek

      Team Awkward

      Don’t Tell the Bridesmaid

      CONTENTS

       Cover

       Title Page

       Copyright

       Dedication

       Front series promotional page

ONE

TWO

THREE

FOUR

       FIVE

       SIX

       SEVEN

       EIGHT

       NINE

       TEN

       ELEVEN

       TWELVE

       THIRTEEN

       FOURTEEN

       FIFTEEN

       SIXTEEN

       SEVENTEEN

       EIGHTEEN

       NINETEEN

       TWENTY

       TWENTY-ONE

       TWENTY-TWO

       TWENTY-THREE

       TWENTY-FOUR

       ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

       Q & A with Secrets of a Teenage Heiress author, Katy Birchall

       Back series promotional page

      Prince Gustav stole my selfie stick.

      And now I was stuck hiding in his wardrobe, while his PA attempted to teach him how to strike the perfect pose.

      ‘Instagram is all about confidence,’ the PA explained, as Prince Gustav nervously checked his teeth in the nearest mirror. ‘Loosen your shoulders and show them some attitude. They want to see the real you.’

      I peered through the wardrobe keyhole out into the suite as the PA adjusted MY selfie stick and waited patiently for Prince Gustav to finish rolling his shoulders back and forth.

      ‘Are you ready?’

      ‘I don’t know, Freddie.’ Prince Gustav sighed dramatically. ‘I was sure I wanted an Instagram account but now I feel very stressed about the whole idea.’

      ‘I understand,’ Freddie agreed, ‘but that’s why I’m here to talk you through it. And it’s really about time that we had one up and running. Soon you’ll be taking selfies wherever you go without any assistance.’

      ‘What do I do with my head?’

      ‘It’s all very simple. I’ve done plenty of research and downloaded all the best apps so we can get the filter just right.’ Freddie ushered Prince Gustav nearer to the window. ‘First, we need the perfect lighting. There you go, that’s great. Now, tilt your head.’

      ‘I feel like a Labrador.’

      ‘It’s a great angle,’ Freddie insisted and all the security men and women in the room nodded in agreement. ‘Perfect! Now, take the selfie stick and when you feel ready, just click that button at the bottom.’

      Prince Gustav warily took the end of the pink and silver bejewelled selfie stick and attempted to position it correctly, almost knocking Freddie out as he swung it through the air.

      How could he not know how to use a selfie stick? He wasn’t even old! Do castles not get Wi-Fi or something?

      Ducking swiftly out of the way, Freddie gave the prince an enthusiastic thumbs up. Silence descended upon the room as everyone waited in anticipation. Keeping his head in position, Prince Gustav tweaked his shirt collar with his free hand before clearing his throat and forming his lips into a mild pout. After a few seconds, there was a small click.

      ‘Did it work?’ Prince Gustav asked, swinging the stick clumsily back towards Freddie.

      Freddie unclipped the phone and everyone held their breath as he inspected the photo.

      ‘Well,’ he said, breaking into a wide grin and holding out the screen so Prince Gustav could see. ‘I’d call that a royal