Chapter 1 #2
“Well, Princess? How did it go?” Bruce, the head of my security detail, asks as he drives us back to St. James’s Palace. He’s been my personal protection officer for the last eight years. We have an easy relationship between us. He’s in his mid-fifties and has dark-brown hair and kind brown eyes.
I rub my temples. “No changes on the flat situation. Mum and dad still want me to find a place that’s within their approved bubble. We’re back to where we were before I left.”
“I’m sorry,” he says in a sympathetic tone. “Did you try and lay out the argument just as we’d practiced?”
“There was no point. I could tell he wasn’t going to budge without Mum around.
” I stare out the window at the tourists gathered near the front gates of Buckingham Palace, snapping selfies and watching the famed foot guards stand in their sentry boxes.
It’s funny, they’d do anything to see the inside of the palace, while I’d love nothing more than to escape it. Heaviness fills me.
“You know, ma’am, I wouldn’t give up hope yet. I’m sure everything will work out just fine when the timing is right.”
“I hope so.”
“It’s only June. You still have plenty of time.” He glances back at me in the rearview mirror. “Have you thought about enlisting your brother or Ms. Collins? She seems to have a gift for pulling off what others deem impossible.”
“Hmm, I haven’t.” A jolt of energy shoots through my body at the thought of Eddie’s fiancée. “You’re right. Amanda might be the perfect person to get somewhere with my parents.”
Amanda is a spunky American who met my brother about five years ago. She loves all things Disney, and before moving permanently to the UK, she worked as a flight attendant. These days, she helps my brother run his charitable organization.
On paper, it doesn’t seem like she and my brother would have anything in common.
They were like water and oil. But now, I can’t imagine them not being together.
Amanda and Eddie are living, breathing proof that opposites attract.
Even though we aren’t technically sisters yet, I still consider her to be one.
Pulling out my mobile, I tap on the green bubble icon and start typing a new text message.
Alice
Hey, A.
I only have to wait a few seconds for her to respond.
Amanda
Ali! You’re back! I need to see you ASAP!
My body shakes with laughter. That’s Amanda for you. She’d drop everything she’s doing to see me.
Alice
Agreed! It’s been too long. Are you free tonight? Eddie is doing dinner with Papa and I’m joining them.
Amanda
I wasn’t planning to, but if you’re going to be there, count me in.
Alice
Brilliant, because I could use your help.
Amanda
Awesome sauce. What do you need?
Alice
Help convincing Papa not to be a stick in the mud.
Amanda
Oh? I’m gonna need more info to go on than that.
Alice
The short version of the story is, I bought a flat. And I haven’t told my parents yet.
Amanda
What? I’m calling you right now!
A moment later, my mobile lights up. I swipe to answer it. Amanda’s image fills the screen, with her unruly curly red hair, green eyes, and a smattering of freckles.
“Shouldn’t you be at work?” I joke.
“Family comes first.” The screen wobbles as she sets her tablet down. “And I’m due for a break. I’ve been working on planning this fundraising dinner for Charlie’s all day. Now spill! Tell me everything.”
“The car ride home isn’t that long.”
“Okay, then just the Spark Notes version.”
“Last October, I found a property listing that I fell in love with. It may not be the prettiest place, but the stained-glass windows, the crown molding, and all the character features more than make up for how it looks. To my shock, it was in budget and in the cutest north London neighborhood. So I made an offer, and it was accepted!”
Amanda’s eyes widen. “You made an offer? Just like that?”
“I know it might not have been the smartest thing to do, but you know how fast London property moves. As soon as a place is listed, it’s practically sold.
I didn’t want someone else to get it.” My cheeks burn hot.
“If I didn’t like the place, I knew I could always back out of the deal.
Except, um . . . time seems to have gotten away from me. ”
Her eyes narrow. “What do you mean?”
“I wasn’t the best at checking my email and messages while I was gone.”
Amanda groans. “Time’s up, isn’t it?”
I nod slowly, swallowing hard. “The deal closed Thursday, and I’m due to pick up the keys later this week.”
“Well, I guess there’s no going back now. What do you need from me?”
“Do you think you could help me put together a presentation with some dummy listings and the place I bought? I thought we could pretend we’ve found a few flats that I’m seriously considering.
Mum won’t be there tonight, and it’ll help buy me some time to come up with a better plan on how I’m going to break the news to them. ”
Amanda gives me a thumbs-up. “Not a half-bad idea. Do you want a PowerPoint?”
“Only if it’s not too much trouble.”
She waves me off. “Never. Making them is relaxing for me. I’ll send over a mock-up to you when I’m done. Give me a couple hours.”
“Thank you so much, A.”
“You’re welcome.” She winks. “And Ali, welcome home.”
Tucking my mobile back into my purse, I let out a sigh of relief. “Amanda is in.”
“That’s brilliant. If anyone can help convince the king, it’s her. She’s a hard woman to say no to.” The car pulls into the palace complex. Bruce cuts the engine. “Shall I put the car away, or do you have any other errands planned before dinner?”
“No. I’ll be in until we leave at seven. I have a massive amount of unpacking to do.”
Bruce chuckles. “Have you made any headway on the eight suitcases of books you brought back?”
“Not yet. But I did ask my brother’s secretary to order a bookshelf, some floating shelves, and a terrarium for me. I’m hoping they’ll turn up today.”
“Rearranging your room again?”
I nod. Bruce knows whenever I need a project to stay busy, I often take to doing up my room.
I like to think it allows my creative juices to flow.
My brother, however, would disagree and says it’s an excuse for me to buy more furniture I don’t need.
But that’s not true. Everything I buy is out of necessity, like the new bookshelf.
Otherwise, I would literally have no more space for my massive book and film collection.
“I’ll keep my eyes open for any deliveries. If anything turns up, I’ll text you.”
“Thanks, Bruce.”
He steps out of the car and opens the door for me. As I walk up the three steps to the entryway, he snaps his fingers together, “Oh, ma’am. There is one thing I forgot to mention.”
I glance over my shoulder.
“Do remember the meeting I took after I dropped you off at the palace?”
“Yes?”
“Well, the two new members who’ve been assigned to your detail will be here after lunch to introduce themselves to you.”
Two new team members? What does he mean? I take a few shaky breaths. I don’t remember hearing anything about my needing more security. It was one thing while I was abroad to have some extra bodies around, but now that I’m home, everything should just go back to normal.
Just as I open my mouth to quiz him about the sudden changes, his mobile rings. He ignores it, giving me his full and undivided attention, but I know that when he’s on duty, the only calls he receives are important ones. “You should probably answer that,” I say, my voice quivering.
“Yes, I should, but did you have any questions first?”
Yes, I have a million questions. But I’ll have to limit myself to asking the most important ones. “Why are there new officers coming onboard?” I croak.
“I’m being reassigned.”
My hand flies to my chest and I press down on my breastbone. “Reassigned?” I sputter. “What? I don’t understand.”
“Princess, it’s been one of the greatest honors of my career to serve you these last few years, but my superiors have collectively agreed that your entering university spells the end of my time as your lead protection officer.
” He shoots me a sad smile. “I’ve been allowed to stay with you much longer than an officer is normally allowed.
You need a bodyguard who is younger and fitter than me. ”
“But you are young and fit,” I insist.
He may have a few gray hairs sprinkled into the brown, and a couple more fine lines than the day we met, but Bruce is in good shape. He runs five miles every morning and has always finished with top marks on the annual fitness test given to members of the security detail.
“I’m chuffed you think so.” He chuckles “But on this account, I agree with my bosses. My mind is as sharp as ever, but my reflexes and body have slowed. I can’t protect you the same way I could when you were a teenager.
I’d never forgive myself if something happened to you because I couldn’t react fast enough. ”
His mobile begins ringing again. “We can discuss it later,” he says.
I nod and take my leave, taking slow shuffling steps from the front to my flat. Sadness wells up inside of me. There’s nobody who can replace Bruce. He’s my friend and one of the few people I can be myself around.
I pause in front of a portrait of one of my ancestors, wearing the State Crown, holding the king’s orb and scepter and wearing a long, flowing red robe.
I’m reminded that I’m a member of the royal family.
For hundreds of years, the decisions my relatives made were law.
“You wouldn’t let Bruce go so easily, would you? ” I ask it.
“Well, you know what, neither will I.” I clench my fists together and lift my chin. “He’s not leaving me without a fight.”