“Yes, sir,” and off they went.Michael cut round to the left where the mob had thinned.MP Fickle best hope Michael didn’t find him first.What a git.
“Michael?Lennox?”
He followed her voice.While the crowd thinned and peeled away, those that remained compacted, becoming a crushing force.Michael’s efforts to thread through from the side met a wall.
Another chant began.“Just like the quay.Just like the quay.”Fists pumped over the sea of heads.“Go home, American.Go home.”
“Stand aside.”Michael pressed in again, sweating, finding it hard to breathe in the airless space.On his right, a uniformed member of the Metro Guard appeared, armed with a truncheon.
Scottie, where are you?She was in this crowd.He saw her from the lamppost but where?At last, he spotted her, her braided hair a tangled mess, the sleeve of her yellow shirt torn.“Lady Royal,” he said, low and controlled, as he stretched for her.She screamed and jerked away.“Scottie, it’s me.”
With a sob, she collapsed onto him and without a thought, Michael scooped her into his arms.
“It’s all right.I have you.”
“So…scared.”Her fingers dug into his shoulder.
“I know, love.I know.”
In the distance, sirens wailed.Whistles blew.Instantly the crowd scattered, running in every direction until Scottie and Michael were all but alone in the narrow avenue, Scottie pressed against him, shivering and sobbing.
“Mick, over here… the motor.”Lennox motioned to a gap between the shops.“Is she all right?”
“I think so, yes.”
They said nothing as the driver sped their way toward Perrigwynn Palace.Scottie pressed against the back of the seat, every part of her taut and trembling, looking as if she might scream.Perhaps she should.
Tears leaked from the corners of her eyes and across the bruise on her cheek.Besides her torn sleeve and ratted hair, she’d lost a shoe.
As for Michael, he boiled with anger and shame.How dare his people treat Lady Royal Blue in this rubbishy manner.Banish the lot of them.
When they pulled into the palace garage, Scottie’s trembling hand eased a little and she looked more irritated than scared.
“We will not tell the queen about this.”She opened her door and stepped out, hobbling without her missing shoe.
“Lady Royal, I have to file a report.”
“Fine.But add in small print ‘Don’t tell Her Majesty.’”
“Scottie, you have a bruise on your cheek.You won’t be able to hide this from her.”Michael slammed his door, meeting Scottie at the end of the motor.“She’ll find out one way or the other.Reporters were there.It’s all film-at-six-and-ten now.Phone videos captured nearly every moment.Blast, Scottie, one of the staff could say to her this very moment, ‘Lady Royal almost died in a mob riot.’Wouldn’t it be best if you told her before Perry Copperfield scares the wits out of her?”
“I have a bruise on my cheek?”Scottie glanced in the Range Rover’s dark glass.“I felt something but—” She peered at Michael through glossy eyes.“What was it you called me?A stir stick?I make a mess of things.”
“Yes, I suppose I did.You’re the stick the rest of them stir.No one will blame you.”
“Who will they blame?You?What about them?The crazies and MP Fickle?”
“Doesn’t matter,” he said.“I was responsible for your safety.I nearly let Prince John take a bullet, and now nearly I let a mob tear you apart.Look at your clothes.They’ll investigate.Unlike the event in Brighton, they won’t be able to keep this mob business quiet.It’s the quay all over again.I’ve lost you to a near riot twice now.”
“No, Michael, you found me in the midst of two riots.”
Michael pointed to the exit for the small garden, the one in front of his palace flat.“Let’s go sit.Rest before you see the queen.”
Removing her one shoe, Scottie followed him to the bench swing anchored to a large, thick elm branch, the green lawn under their feet, the fragrance of spring flowers seeping into the air.With a push of his foot, Michael set the swing in motion.
She fell against his arm and the ropes of the swing.“I can still hear them chanting.I’m not wanted here.My presence puts people at risk.Most of all me and you.”
“Never mind me.I’ve survived worse.”
