“Is the carpenter Emmanuel?” Dad’s attention flicked back and forth between Gus and the telly before he pointed the remote at the screen. “Your mum knew him when she was young. What’s this?” Dad leaned forward. “Leslie Ann Parker is doing a story on your mum? Next Sunday night. On LVT-1.”
His father’s attempt to mimic the announcer’s voice almost made Gus laugh. Almost. Reporters never got the story right. They exaggerated, found untrue details from clandestine “inside sources” and spoke them as gospel truth.
“I’d think Ms. Parker would want to report on John and Holland. The ones getting married.”
“Who knows with Ms. Parker.”
Gus caught the last of the commercial. “…join me, Leslie Ann Parker, onThe Rest of the Storyas I take an in-depth look at our queen with never before seen photos and a story that just might change history.”
Change history? The woman was reaching. “What aspect of Mum’s life could possibly be hidden? Or change history. Other than her private life within palace walls, every major and minor move is documented. They’d have had a crew in your wedding night suite, if the law still required.”
“Good heavens.” Dad switched to the game show he and Mum watched Sunday nights.
Gus eased to his feet but stopped at the sight of the blue gown Mum demanded Daffy discard, even burn, draped over a wingback chair.
“Dad, what’s this doing here? Mum told Daffy burn it.”
“Burn it?” Dad didn’t look away from the telly screen. “I don’t know. You’ll have to ask her.”
“You should’ve seen her. She went mad when she saw it on theUnknown Bridemannequin. Gave Daffy quite the ripping.”
“Doesn’t sound like her.”
Gus stood as Mum entered the room. “Glasgow Towns and Morwena Caron have been made aware.”
“Who’s Glasgow?” Gus said.
“A member of the Royal Trust in charge of textile restoration, including furniture pieces. He and Morwena will quietly inquire about the chair.” Mum sat next to Dad but fidgeted, curling her legs over the cushion, then sitting up straight, feet planted. “I assume the thief will issue a ransom note. Make his demands. The whole world will know our failure.”
“If we must tell the world, Mum, I’ll do it.”
She gripped the end of the couch arm, her fingers white. “I keep it in storage for twenty-five years, and when I bring it out, my own son turns it into a trampoline.”
“I sat in it. I didn’t jump.”
“Why didn’t you listen to Daffy?”
“I was drunk. And then I was a bullheaded man who said, ‘I can fix it. Hush, let me listen.’” With a sigh, Gus knelt next to his mother, his queen. “I am truly sorry. I will find the chair.”
“How? How will any of us find it? It’s lost. Taken.”
“You said yourself that we should expect a ransom note.”
“Or the chair will be sold on the private market and we’ll never see it again. Forever lost.” Mum stood to pace, her bare feet leaving imprints in the plush carpet. “A thousand years of rulers, and theTituslost on my watch.”
“We’ll be infamous together, Mum. You for losing the chair. Me for being the only prince in recorded history to be left at the altar.” He glanced over at the dress. “Do you want me to takethatto the incinerator?”
“No.” Her sharp words caused Dad to look away from the telly. “I’ll… I’ll find something to do with it.”
“I can take it back to the vintage shop. Daffy said it was down by the quay.”
“I said I’ll deal with it. Edric, do you mind watching alone? I have a headache.”
Dad muted the telly and reached for Mum. “Love, it’s going to be okay. Historical things get lost, damaged, burned up in fires, given away, traded, and stolen. We could have a regular Robin Hood in these woods, taking the chair to sell and give the money to the poor. But whatever the case, life and the world will go on.”
“Thank you, Edric. But not helping. I hope this noble marauder informs us of his intent. I’d be more than happy to give him any amount of money in exchange for the chair.”
Gus gathered his courage. No more deception. “Mum, I don’t think you should’ve sacked Daffy, but she has other career aspirations, so maybe she’ll make lemonade with her lemons. Also, I want you to give her a good reference.”
