Last Saturday morning, the small town of Millbrook seemed unusually alive. The sun was shining brightly, and a warm breeze was blowing through the market square. Dozens of people were browsing the stalls — farmers were selling fresh vegetables, children were chasing each other between the tables, and an old man was playing folk songs on a battered accordion.

Emma, a twenty‑three‑year‑old photographer, was walking slowly through the crowd. She was carrying her camera and was looking for the perfect shot. While she was crossing the square, she noticed a small girl who was trying to reach a bunch of red balloons that were floating just above her head.

Emma raised her camera. At that exact moment, however, someone was running past and accidentally knocked her hand. The camera fell. While a nearby vendor was helping her pick it up, the little girl finally grabbed the balloons — and Emma captured the decisive moment anyway, purely by luck.

Back home that evening, Emma was editing her photos when her phone rang. It was her editor — not in Past Continuous! He told her a local magazine was looking for fresh talent. By midnight, she was smiling over an email that would change her career.