“Really?Okay, let’s ask.The wonders of royal life never cease.”
“I advise you research carefully first, Scottie.You can’t extend a warrant to a supplier who lacks quality or can’t meet demand.”
“Yeah, totally get it.”Her southern lilt flared again, and Michael felt oddly proud he’d helped restore it.
“Enough about me.”She patted his knee.“What.About.You.”
“I’m a rather boring bloke, I’m afraid.”
“You are the opposite of boring.You’re a man of mystery.Tell me three things about you.Good ones.”
“Let’s see.I love sports.Played football for years and was decent in my day.”
“Easy to believe.”
“I’ve a brother.He coaches my nephew in football.He’s very enthusiastic.The nephew, not my brother.He’s married.My brother, not my nephew.Evan’s also got a daughter who wraps me round her finger.”He hesitated, wary of stars and surf conspiring to loosen his restraint.“I’m close with my dad but…my mum and I don’t get on.I’d never risk my career to spend time with her.”
“That’s quite a confession, Michael Cross.”
“Even to my own ears.But as a wise woman once said, ‘the dark makes us honest.’”
“Is there a reason for the rift?”
“She divorced my father, thus my brother and me, when I was eight.She left without looking back.”
As if on cue, his phone pinged.Evan.
Evan: Come on, mate, you must be there Saturday.Finn says it’s no fun without you.We’ll wrangle Mum together.Besides, Granny and Granddad will be crushed if you don’t show.You’re their favorite.
Michael slipped the phone away and leaned against the pillar.
“Please reply if you need to,” Scottie said.
“It’s my brother begging me to attend my Pratt grandparents’ sixty-fifth anniversary.There’s a big bash on Saturday.The Pratts never do anything small, or quietly.The whole family will be there, and half of parliament, lords and ladies from all over the country.”
“Except you?”She nudged him with her foot.“Go, you goober.Be with your family.I can be without my shadow for a day or two.There’s always Lennox and…who’s the other guy?”
“Schueler.”
“So go.”
“It’s just…” He searched for a word.Painfulsounded pathetic.Loathsometoo harsh.“Complicated.”
Scottie didn’t answer, which seemed one of her gifts.She let silence do its work.He should stop talking about himself.
Then, softly, she said, “I’ll go with you.”
“Lady Royal, you can’t be serious.”
“Why not?”The moonlight traced the smooth angles of her face.“But only if you want.No pressure.And only if my presence won’t make things complicated.I don’t want to turn your grandparents’ party into a social media heyday.And you shouldn’t have to be on duty.”
“There’ll be plenty of security.Granddad served in parliament, has powerful friends.As for social media, it can’t be helped.Can you bear being filmed and posted on socials within the first hour?Even more, what about the queen?The trip would take most of Saturday, which is time you could spend with her.”
“She has another treatment Saturday morning.She’ll be exhausted afterward.So, I guess I’m looking for something to do.”
“Lady Royal, I’d love your company on Saturday, if you’re sure.But clear it with Her Majesty, please.I’ll need to do the same with my boss.A day like this will challenge our professional boundaries.”
“Then we’ll have to be careful, won’t we?”
