It was Jamie who flagged the problem, three weeks in. He showed Edna the profile of Clarissa Deen, 2.3 million followers, known for aspirational countryside content shot in a palette of muted creams and sage greens. She had, according to Jamie, just arrived in the area for a brand partnership shoot. The brand in question made expensive candles. The location she had pinned on her upcoming shoot was Primrose Cottage. She had not contacted Edna.
Edna looked at the profile photo. Clarissa was somewhere in her late twenties, professionally beautiful, and had the kind of effortless charm that Edna recognised as anything but effortless. Her previous cottage content was exquisite—well lit, thoughtfully composed, and entirely devoid of plastic gnomes or supermarket loaves. Edna could see plainly that Clarissa was good at what she did.
“She’s planning a live stream,” Jamie said. “From outside your gate. Tomorrow at eleven.” Edna studied the screen for a moment, then looked out at her garden. The ceramic cat caught the morning light agreeably. “I’ll need to move around a few things,” she said. Then, after a pause, she asked reflectively, “What can one wear to a live stream?”