"You looked very comfortable," Elise told him. "The children loved you. They're very good judges of character."
"I've heard that, though I'm not around many for any significant period of time."
The waitress returned with their meals, setting them on the table in front of each of them. "Does everything look correct?"
Frederick could hear the nervousness in her voice.
"It looks lovely." Elise thanked the waitress.
The waitress curtsied, again, and left them to their meals.
They didn't speak for several minutes as they began eating. Once they'd settled into their meal, Frederick spoke again.
"What is your schedule like for the next few weeks?"
"I leave tomorrow morning for our next location in Europe. I'll be there for three or four weeks while we finish shooting. Each day will be different, depending on what scenes are being shot." She took another bite of her dinner.
"I wish we could send the royal plane with you tomorrow, but unfortunately, it doesn't fall under public use." He didn't like the thought of her flying commercial now that her identity had become public.
She gave him the smile he had quickly come to love in person even more than he had on the screen. "I'll be fine. I've got a seat in first class and security will be with me the whole time. A couple will be seated with me and several more will be elsewhere on the plane."
Frederick gave a nod. "I know, but I would still feel better if you were flying on my plane."
Elise reached out and covered his hand with her own. "I'll be fine. I'll text you regularly and call when we can coordinate our schedules. Security will be tight on set, but it's in the middle of nowhere anyway. It's not in a city where there are unknowns all over the place."
He turned his hand over to grasp hers lightly. "I know, but I'll feel better when you have official protection and transportation all the time."
Her fingers wrapped around his. "There's no known threats against me or your family in general. Your security team is top-notch. Everything will be fine. I promise." After giving his hand a light squeeze, she let go, and began eating once more.
Letting the subject drop, at least for the moment, Frederick also turned his attention back to his meal.
They finished their meal and took the waitress's suggestion for desserts. Once she delivered them, they each ate half then traded. When the waitress returned, they both thanked her for the recommendations and asked her to pass their compliments on to those in the kitchen.
Rather than rush off, they decided to enjoy a leisurely cup of coffee as they looked out over the activity on the pier below.
They continued to talk about a little bit of everything and nothing at the same time. Frederick found himself smiling more than he had in a very long time. If they'd been in a more private location, he likely would have been laughing a lot more, but hefound himself more self-conscious than he would have expected as the dinner crowd began to arrive.
Finally, a nod from Frederick's security officer told him the time had come for them to leave.
Frederick helped Elise to her feet and followed behind her as they made their way to the main entrance. Fortunately, though they could see the dinner crowd - and hear the whispers - they didn't walk close to the tables and didn't feel obligated to stop and talk with the other patrons. Instead, they both smiled and waved.
The hostess held the door for them as they exited. Word had gotten out that they were eating at the cafe and a small crowd had gathered. Before security could stop her or give her go-ahead, Elise moved to the crowd and shook hands with as many of them as she could, stopping to take selfies with many of them. Frederick did the same, following behind her. He did enjoy this part of the job, though not as much as in a more controlled setting like earlier in the day.
A large cracking sound behind them made Frederick and Elise both turn their heads.
Before he could make a decision, it was made for him.
Members of security grabbed them both and rushed them to the waiting vehicle. Elise was basically thrown in with Frederick following her - his body covering hers to ensure whatever was happening had to go through him to get to her.
The door slammed behind him and the tires squealed as sirens started and they were taken away.
The weightof Frederick on top of her made it difficult for Elise to breathe, but it also felt comforting and safe at the same time. Though she had no idea what had happened, Frederick had chosen to put himself between her and whatever threat was out there.
Or had he?
Had she simply been closer to the vehicle when they were both essentially thrown into it?
"Get in your seats. Seat belts on. Heads down." The tone of voice was tense but not overly so or frightened or any other emotion that would freak Elise out even more.
