Read Winter Smith (Book 1): London's Burning for Free Online

challenged.
                  “Well, we’d prefer it if this party was all good.”
                  Winter held in a laugh. She knew her parents wanted the stories to be as scandalous as possible. The worse the story the better the publicity. After all, they had cashed in on what had happened when Winter was fourteen.
                  “We need to set everything up,” Nathan said. “Maybe we can invite Missy over a bit early. She could even be part of the Vogue feature.”
                  “I’m already ahead of you, Nathan! I’ve contacted Vogue, and they love the idea of featuring Missy, too! They think it’ll look great for them both that they’re such good friends.” Olivia squealed. “They’re going to be the country’s sweethearts in no time!” 
                  “I’d rather not.” Winter sighed.
                  “Tough,” Nathan said. “It’s about time you started earning money, girl. If you’re not going to look for a job in the modelling industry, you can be a socialite by trade.”
                  “Are you an idiot?” Winter asked. She was beginning to find this conversation dull. “Being a socialite isn’t a job.”
                  “It’s a good money earner!” Olivia said sternly. “So if you want to be something to be proud of, you should start putting more effort into it.”
                  “It doesn’t require effort, mum.” Winter snapped. She stood up and she was pleased to see her parents look taken aback. “Let me know when you’ve come back down to earth and reality, please.”
                  As Winter stormed away, she heard Nathan mutter, “That girl is trouble,” and felt like throwing one of the new glasses at his head.
    * * *
                  Winter was sorting through her CD collection when her mother entered her room, draped in a silk dress that hugged her figure and a white, silk shawl around her shoulders. Her hair was tied up on top of her head in a bow, a few strands hanging purposely loose. Olivia Smith looked like Winter. She had the same, frizzy blonde hair that was controlled better than Winter controlled hers. She had the same green eyes. She had the same figure.
                  “Come on, up you get,” Olivia snapped. She did not have the same personality earlier. Her enthusiasm was now replaced by stress. “We need to get this place decorated! The party is an hour away!”
                  “What’s the time?” Winter asked.
                  “Eight thirty five. Get dressed. I’ve laid out your pre-party outfit. Then help us decorate.”
                  “Pre-party? Why do I need a pre-party outfit?”
                  “Because you do!” Olivia shouted. Obviously the stress before the party had started to kick in.
                  She stomped out of Winter’s room. Winter bit her lip to stop herself from cursing and put a CD into her CD player. She let the punk guitar riffs from X-Ray Spex wash over her, and smiled knowing her parents wouldn’t be thrilled to hear such music coming from her room.
                  She spotted her dress hung up on the door. It was glittery and white, silk and very tight. She struggled to put it on but once snapped to her frame she had to pull it in different directions to feel more comfortable. It was almost like lycra.
                  She messed up her hair and applied a light touch of foundation. She looked classically beautiful.
                  “WINTER!” Olivia screamed from downstairs. “Are you awake!?”
                  “YES!” It would be a long couple of hours. She regretfully turned off the music and left her room.
                  She strode downstairs and got to work straight away. She was handed circular fliers with her parent’s