Pictures of Lily by Paige Toon Read Free Book Online Page A

bought a new film for my camera, a couple of cushion covers and a purple throw for my bed, plus a poster of my favourite band, Fence. I fancy their lead singer Johnny Jefferson like mad, so if anything can improve the state of my new bedroom, I reckon his gorgeous face can. I also bought my mum a nice candle and some perfume for Christmas. I suppose I need to get something for Michael and Josh, too, but I have no idea what, yet. Finally I take out the photos that I’ve had developed. I couldn’t resist having a quick look when I got them back, but now I want to scrutinise them in more detail.
    The first photograph I pull out is of Roy the kangaroo, propped up on one elbow and looking straight into the camera. There’s something quite funny about it. I think my dad would find it amusing. Oh. I can just see the tail of another kangaroo in the background. Bugger, I should have framed it better. I sigh and put the photo to the back of the pile before turning my attention to the next shot. Cindy! She instantly makes me smile. Hmm. I think I might quite like the way I’ve used the focus in this one, with the leaves blurring behind the koala. Not bad. Right, next!
    I go through the whole set like this, peering at each shot with a super-critical eye until I’m either kicking myself or feeling mildly pleased. Once I’m done, I install the new film and then I start to go through the set again until I remember my gelati and turn to see that it’s melted away into a syrupy mess.
    ‘Hey!’
    The sound of a male voice makes me jump. I look up to see a man stepping off the path onto the grass. It’s Ben. I almost didn’t recognise him out of his khaki shorts and shirt combo.
    ‘Hello,’ I call, pleased to see someone I know.
    ‘I thought it was you.’ He grins as he approaches. ‘Is there a fly in your cup?’
    ‘Sorry?’
    He peers into my ice-cream cup. ‘Ah, it’s melted,’ he says. ‘The look on your face was a picture.’
    ‘Ohh . . .’ I laugh, realising that my surprise must have looked a bit comical. ‘What are you doing here?’
    ‘Had a few errands to run and thought I’d pop by my favourite place in the city before I head home.’ He collapses down on the grass and cracks open a can of 7-Up. He’s wearing faded black shorts and a turquoise T-shirt with flip flops – or ‘thongs’ as Josh annoyingly corrected me earlier this week.
    ‘Favourite place?’ I prompt.
    He indicates the lily pond in front of us. ‘I love it at this time of year. Hey, nice camera. Do you mind?’ I nod so he reaches for it and fiddles around for a bit before putting his eye to the viewfinder and pointing it at the pond. Then he turns the lens on me.
    ‘Don’t!’ I cry.
    He pulls the camera away from his face, grinning. ‘Why not?’
    ‘I hate having my photo taken.’
    ‘Go on, just the one.’ He puts the viewfinder back up to his eye.
    ‘No. Please,’ I beg, covering my face with my hands.
    ‘Lily!’ he snaps. ‘Give me a smile.’
    I reluctantly drop my hands and tilt my head to one side, shyly. He clicks off a shot.
    ‘There. That wasn’t so bad, was it?’
    ‘It was pretty awful.’
    He grins and hands the camera back to me, before spying the pile of photographs with the kangaroo at the top. ‘Freddie!’ he exclaims. ‘Can I see?’
    I don’t want to make a big deal out of it by saying no, so I manage a slight nod and then sit there nervously while he flicks through the pack, chuckling occasionally and giving me positive feedback. My nerves soon die away and I find myself enjoying his commentary.
    ‘I absolutely love this one,’ he says eventually, going back to the photo of Freddie.
    ‘I’m a bit annoyed about the other kangaroo’s tail in the background,’ I admit.
    ‘Where? Oh, there. You can barely see it.’
    ‘It still annoys me.’
    ‘You’re critical, aren’t you?’
    I shrug.
    ‘Is this what you want to do? Photography?’ he asks.
    ‘I don’t know. I hadn’t really thought