Then when he turned around, Jack noticed a strange girl stood in the corner of the shop. Her long blond hair was in a neat bun, tied with a pink ribbon, and she was dressed modestly- more like a Sunday School teacher than a teenager. She was leafing through Great Expectations, a stern expression clouding pretty features.

"Such a shame." A voice spoke behind him and it took a second for him to register who it was.

"What is?" Jack asked, faintly embarrassed that he's just been caught staring.

Eugene shook his head and pointed to the girl. "When a babe like that gets turned into a nun."

Jack chuckled softly. Her dress really was hideous. "Who is she?"

"I don't know her name, just her reputation."

"And what might that be?"

Smiling slightly, Eugene continued to stare at the girl over Jack's shoulder. "She was once like us- slept around, took a lot of pills, had too much fun. But then last year, she was drunk-driving home from a party and her van collided with a young couple's mini-cooper. Both died. Word is, a few weeks after that she started dressing different and acting all up-tight. She's been like that ever since."

Jack turned back to the girl. Unlike Lila, there was no frailty about her, nothing that needed protecting or warmth. Yet he felt drawn to her, as if there was something below the surface of her hostile presence desperate to break-free. Watching her, he was fascinated. Her vast green eyes, her perfect little mouth- she was an enigma just waiting to be solved. It was only after a couple of minutes he realised Eugene was watching him.

"I know what you're thinking, Jack. She's not worth it."

Jack smiled and clapped his shoulder. "You know nothing, Fitzeherbert."

They were staring. Rapunzel hated it when they stared, almost as much as she hated being ignored. It was always the same talk, too. What a pity that the poor girl was cut down in her youth. How unfortunate that her self-hatred turned her into a nun. Well, she certainly wasn't religious, and as for hating herself… It was a little more complex than that.

"Hey, I know this is weird, but can I buy you a drink sometime?" Rapunzel looked up to see the same boy leaning on the bookshelf next to her. He was gorgeous, the kind of face that makes young girls swoon and older ones wish they'd worn more makeup. His blue eyes pierced through her own, making her feel oddly transparent and more than a little uncomfortable.

"Why?" She asked bluntly, as she returned to reading her book. This should make him get the message, she thought.

"Um… I want to?" He laughed. "I'm Jack, by the way."

"Amazing. Now can you leave me alone?"

"Why would I do that?"

He was unbelievable. Blowing a hair from her forehead, Rapunzel marched past him to the checkout. Luckily, he didn't follow her, but she could still feel his gaze on her shoulders. Trudy, the old woman behind the till, gave her a worried look. "Is that boy bothering you, Rapunzel?"

She put on a reassuring smile and shook her head. "I'm used to it."

"Well, if he does it again, tell me straight away." The woman glared behind Rapunzel's shoulder, but she didn't trust herself to look at him. There was something so unnerving about his presence, it put her on edge.

"Thankyou." She passed the book over the till, and Trudy smiled before putting in a paper bag.

"Another classic?" Rapunzel nodded. "That'll be £5, dear."

As soon as Rapunzel left the shop, she heard footsteps behind her and sped up her walking pace. "Christ- I'm not going to attack you, Blondie!"

Turning on her heal, she faced him. "Don't you dare call me that. I don't know who told you, and frankly I don't care, but if you ever call me Blondie again, I swear to god I'll-"

"Woah, woah. Rapunzel, then." She stepped back, calming herself. He was just winding her up! She made as if to leave, but Jack grabbed her arm. "Look I'm sorry, how about an apology drink?"

She laughed and shook off his arm. "Nice try, but no way in hell."

He grinned. "I'll take that as a challenge."