Pretty Dolly

Chapter One

"Happy birthday to you!" I and the rest of the family ended the song with cheers and yells of joy as we watched my little sister McKenzie make a wish in her head, and blow out her candles on her adorable pink cake with a unicorn on it that our neighbor made. Kenz was turning 8 years old while I still had 3 months until my 16th.

After she finished blowing out the candles, she had to get mum to help her, everyone grabbed a slice of cake and sat around Kenz as she began to open her mountain of presents that she had gotten from pretty much everyone in the town.

However, while I watched Kenz tear open the first bit of wrapping paper, I remembered one thing: I had forgotten to get her a present. Realising that Kenz was taking a whole 5 minutes to open one present, and she had about 50 to get through, I knew I had time to quickly nip out and buy her one.

Without any of the family noticing, I slipped out of the front door and set off down the street.

We lived in a small town called Richmond somewhere in North Yorkshire in the UK. Everyone in Richmond was nice but living in a town where everyone knows more about you than you know about yourself can get on your nerves sometimes. But I can deal with it.

While walking into the main part of town, where all the shops are, I couldn't find anything that I knew Kenz would want. Then I came across it. A cute little toy shop that looked at least 50 years old. It was the only toy shop in town but I never saw anyone in it, I was unsure how it was still open.

Not being able to find a better choice, I entered the shop, hearing the old fashioned "ting" of a bell above the door signalling to the shop owner that I had walked in.

Upon hearing the bell I heard quiet shuffling from behind one of the shelves and out popped Mrs Jenkins, the shop owner.

"Why hello Camilla." She said sweetly, coming over to give me a welcoming hug. Of course, trying not to be rude, I hugged back.

"Hey Mrs Jenkins. Quiet today." I tried to make small talk with the old woman.

"Always is dear these days." The woman sighed and shook her head, walking back up to the top of the store. "What're you looking for dear?" She asked me, looking over her shoulder at me.

"Oh um... A late birthday present for my sister." I responded, laughing awkwardly.

Mrs Jenkins nodded and smiled, knowing she could tell that I'd forgotten. "Ah yes," she started, "it's your McKenzie's birthday today right?"

"Right." I laughed quietly again, knowing how stupid I looked to have forgotten my own sisters birthday.

The old woman laughed too, "We all forget something at some point." She sat herself behind her cash register and looked up at me, "Well go look around." I nodded at her in response and left her to go and look at the old fashioned toys.

After passing lots of shelves and not finding anything, I was about to leave when I found the most perfect present for Kenz. She was perfect.

Sitting on a shelf, at the far side of the shop, sat a beautiful porcelain doll. She had long, blonde, straight hair and bright, human looking, blue eyes that sparkles in the sun light. She bore a pretty pout on her mouth and she had a cute button nose. Her skin was a healthy, creamy colour and she wore a gorgeous lilac dress with a cute purple bow on the side of it as well as one on the side of her hair. She also wore matching lilac pumps on her small feet that also had small purple bows on them. I knew that Kenz would love her.

Quickly paying for the doll, I hurried home and wrapped up the perfect present.