Chapter 19
A GOOD SURPRISE
DUNCAN
London Daily Times
Lady Vanessa LeRoux was spotted at a gathering at her parents' home in Richmond.
Upon realizing photographers were present, her fiancé Paulo Sartori began to taunt the photographers.
He shouted at them at first before lunging in a video caught on camera.
It seems both the men in Lady LeRoux's life have a complicated relationship with the press.
Meanwhile, in Wales, no word was spoken of the wayward Prince of Wales, who is likely spending a quiet night in his family's home near Anglesey.
Iburned my left hand putting the pizza in the oven like an idiot.
And now Miss Mills probably thought I was daft.
I swore internally so as not to upset her.
I tried to impress her rather than lead her to think I was a man in his late thirties who liked to go through women's underwear drawers and couldn't manage a frozen pizza.
At least she said the bath was nice. And she appeared to like the robe, so it was maybe not the worst gift?
My phone rang. It was Mum.
“Yes, Mum?”
“I thought I'd ring just to check in again. Are you staying warm. Is the generator holding?”
“It is. And I'm fine. Although, I think it is supposed to work for the guest house, but it is not. The pipes blew.”
“What? Oh, no! Well, that one runs on solar,” Mum said.
“In Wales? In winter?” That made no fucking sense.
“Is the gas one doing alright?”
“Yes.”
“And Miss Mills?”
“She's up here. Her room was flooded and there was a lot of damage.”
“Why didn't you ring me?”
“Because you are busy hosting. And I wanted to bail her out and ensure she could get warm.”
“Is she safe now?” Mum asked.
“She is upstairs in your bathtub trying to warm up,” I said. “And while it is not gourmet, I am heating up a frozen pizza so we won't starve. She thought to plan ahead. So, she bought groceries which are now up here.”
“Brilliant. Resourceful girl. Wait... she has no family to go to?”
“That is what John said,” I sighed. “But now, we're stuck together.”
“Oh, don't sound so sad. She seems like a nice girl and she's saved your bacon. Be good to her. Don't be rude.”
“I don't ever try to be.”
“I know, sweetheart. Daddy and I miss you,” Mum said. “We will see you soon. Go out there. Thank you for managing the chaos of the day. Tell Miss Mills we send our best.”
“Happy Christmas, Mummy.”
“Yes, happy Christmas, darling,” Mum said.
As I hung up, I heard footsteps above my head and the tub draining. Well, the pizza would be just on time. My hand hurt like a mother. I tried ice but it made it worse.
“Don't use ice.”
I looked over to see Miss Mills in her borrowed clothes.
“It will irritate the burn. Try cool water. How did you get survival training but not this?”
“How do I... bring the water with me.”
“Where are your bowls?” She asked.
I pointed.
She grabbed a liquid measuring cup from next to the bowls and brought it over. “Water in here. Keep a wet rag and dip it when it gets too warm. Add some ice to keep it cool. It will eventually dull.”
“Oh... okay. Do you want something to drink, Miss Mills?”
“Can you... just call me Ella? If you insist on Duncan, I mean.”
“Sure.” I nodded. “It is a pretty name.”
I could tell she was fighting the urge to blush—perhaps from sheer embarrassment.
“There is wine in the cellar. Loads,” I said. “Go nick some from the stash.”
“What? But like... can we?”
“Yes,” I chuckled. “It's ours for the taking. Possession and all.”
She smiled and dashed off, returning with a cheerful looking Beaujolais in an impressive vintage.
“You either are a very good guesser, or you know your wine.”
“I know wine,” she said.
“I love surprises like that. Well done,” I said.
The timer beeped.
“That would be the pizza. Let me pour the wine,” Ella said. “It's the least I can do.”
She poured two glasses and sliced the pizza.
She transported all of it to the living room where I directed her.
Sitting at a fully-dressed table with frozen pizza seemed odd and, like a rational woman, she agreed.
We ate, my hand feeling less achy. I enjoyed her genuine smile.
I could handle that. It was certainly much better than being alone on Christmas.