Have you thought about moving out? Setting up on your own?

Taz was always ready to provide answers to Morgan’s problems, even if they were impractical.

Only a million times a day, Morgan replied. But I can’t afford to, she continued. No dough.

Your dad’s a millionaire! Surely, he can put you up somewhere.

Morgan snorted as she absorbed his words. If only things were that simple. Dad’s very careful with his money.

A tightarse, is he?

Morgan’s frown returned. It was all right for her to moan about her dad, but she didn’t want to hear it from anyone else. Besides, he did a lot for charity without taking any credit.

No, Jeez, not at all, she typed, her fingers moving swiftly over the keys. He said he doesn’t want me to grow up entitled. He wants me to live a normal life.

She tugged on the ends of her hair. She had dyed it ‘raven black’ the night before, and she admired its dark blue hues. Naomi had raised an eyebrow in surprise, which had pleased her no end. Only the day before, Naomi had commented on how much she liked Morgan’s auburn hair.

She waited for Taz to respond. Her dad might not be perfect, but she didn’t want anyone thinking badly of him. He had warned her to be careful whom she spoke to, that the press was always after ‘an angle’ on him. But Taz wasn’t interested in her father . . . was he?

Just saying, Taz replied. You should think about it in case things don’t work out. You could get a job, maybe a flat somewhere. You never know . . . I might even visit you ;-)

A pink bloom rose to Morgan’s fair skin as her lips parted in surprise. This was the first time Taz had suggested they meet. He was so guarded about his identity, although he knew everything about her. Of course, she’d not sent him any pictures, apart from her profile image, although he could find her on Facebook if he tried. During their early conversations, Taz had said it was important to know someone’s mind without getting caught up in how they looked. He had to be a teenager who lived somewhere in the UK with his parents. She guessed he was cute, from the way he said that girls in school were always ‘bugging him’. There was no hurry to exchange pictures. She had six more months before her braces came out, and she wasn’t one of these girls who posed for selfies every second of the day.

But hey, if you’d rather I kept my nose out, then I will, Taz continued.

Morgan wondered if he’d taken her hesitancy as annoyance because he sounded miffed.