Chapter 10
RATIONALIZING THE IRRATIONAL
ELOISE
London Daily Times
The Prince of Wales was spotted leaving Kensington Palace with a motorcade and is expected to resettle in at the Queen's compound near Anglesey for “indeterminate” period of time—until the RAF feels the situation with the civilian aviation shortage is over or until he can no longer be missed in London.
It would appear the Prince is keen to get to work.
He seemed relaxed and happy in these photos taken at London City Airport where he looked over his jet.
Arriving shortly after was a young woman who works for Ms. Abigail Forrest. We still aren't sure who she is, but we can assume she is now the wayward prince's handler.
“So, is he serious about the gift?” I asked John McGuire.
“His Royal Highness is serious, yes,” John said.
“Miss Mills, I know you might have come in here during a bad time. And trust me when I say, bless you for taking us on. However, what you think you know about the Prince may not be completely accurate. I have worked for him for nearly twenty years now. He has his moments, but he is a good man.”
I nodded. “Of course. It is nice of him to offer.
If you need a lead on the chocolates, there is an amazing place in Covent Garden where a Ghanian woman has an exclusive partnership with a cocoa plantation back home.
She is amazing and so is the chocolate. There is usually a line at opening, and she often runs out before noon, but I think if The Prince of Wales came calling, she'd be willing to make an exception.”
John smiled. “That sounds delicious.”
“Totally worth it. And Abi loves her stuff. Mark—her husband—he tends to go there when she has a bad day. His office is far closer than ours. But right now, any comforts are good. They will be in the hospital some time. Babies sound very complicated.”
“Thankfully, I haven't had to worry about that,” John said.
“Do you not have children, Mr. McGuire?”
“No. I like children but not enough to have any. And, either way, my partner is not a person who ever wanted them. He prefers things be quiet.”
So he was gay? Based on the traditional, black suit and middle-aged-dad look, I erroneously assumed he had a wife and three kids for some reason. Even if I felt bad for leaning into stereotypes, John seemed like a nice man.
“So how does he feel about this?” I asked. “You being gone?”
“He's glad for the quiet. As long as I'm back for Christmas, he's fine.”
I smiled. “Don't want him to miss you too much!”
“More like his mother is a real pill. She loves to talk my ear off. I'm a great distraction. So, he needs me around.”
“Fair, fair.”
“Anyone missing you, Miss Mills?”
“Nope,” I answered. “I have two annoying, immature roommates. That's about all there is to say, really. They have no idea where I'm going and as long as the rent is paid, no one will miss me.”
He looked sad.
“Oh, don't pity me. I'm young. This is life. I've got a nice flat in a nice area of the burbs. And I have a job. That's about all we can want, right?”
“I don't know about that, Miss Mills. I miss Ryan like mad. We've been together for more than twenty years now. It's nice to come home to someone.”
“I joke that is why I need a dog.”
“You and the prince both. But with the schedule, it seems impractical.”
“Couldn't he hire a dog nanny?”
“He loves dogs. He'd want to bring the dog everywhere with him.”
“Well, couldn't he?”
“Has to be the right dog, I suppose? I'm not a dog person.”
I nodded. “I never got to have a dog growing up. But I am definitely a dog person.”
“You two will get on just fine.”
I wasn't sure about that, but I would keep an open mind.
If he were a dog person, could he be so evil?
I didn't doubt there were some evil dog lovers.
History proved that true, but most dog people were laid back.
If this was an act, Prince Duncan did a brilliant job pulling the wool over our eyes.
Maybe he did have some redeeming qualities?
“So what is Wales like?” I asked.
“Green. Have you never been?”
“No.”
“Oh, you must do! It's beautiful. Boring. An odd place to live if you're me. I am a city dweller. But for an escape, it does a treat. We will stay on the sea. Her Majesty and the Duke bought this place while struggling through infertility. This was their little sanctuary, and it shows.”
“Oh, really?” That surprised me. “They had trouble?”
He nodded. “They were told they would never have a child.”
It made sense why Her Majesty gave Prince Duncan so many chances. He was a one-in-a-million miracle baby.
“Well, I am sure I will love its peacefulness,” I said.
“Minus when the squadrons do their rounds. It will wake you right up!” John chuckled. “Don't underestimate the noise of a fleet of jet engines rocketing off into the sky. For Her Majesty, it's like a symphony. But for the average person, it’s a cacophony.”