One
“Papa!” I burst through the doors to my father’s study. “Your secretary told me you were up here. I was so excited that I couldn’t wait a moment longer. You’re the first person I wanted to see. I’ve missed you so much.”
My father clears his throat and blinks slowly, shooting me a bemused expression. My cheeks sear with heat and the words die on my lips. Seated opposite my father is a man with salt-and-pepper hair and a neat beard, dressed in a three-piece pin-striped suit. His brows are furrowed in a deep V. Of course this would be the one time I chosenotto knock.
I incline my head. “Forgive me, Father. Prime Minister. I, er... didn’t realize you two had a meeting scheduled for today. Please accept my sincerest apologies for interrupting you.” I take a few steps backward, inching toward the doors. “I’ll return later.”
“Welcome home, Alice. Why don’t you wait for me in my sitting room? I’ll join you shortly. Prime Minister Carrington and I were just wrapping up our discussion,” my father says.
“Yes, sir. Apologies again, Prime Minister.”
The PM nods curtly. He’s all business and not one who cares much for idle chitchat. Secretly, Papa doesn’t care much for him, but he’llnever ever let his personal opinions be known. As the king of the United Kingdom, he’s an expert at masking his thoughts and emotions. The ultimate poker player.
I exit and turn right, entering the adjacent room, softly closing the door behind me. Franny, our family’s springer spaniel, immediately pops up from her favorite sleeping spot by the fire and trots over to greet me. I kneel down. She sniffs my hand and rolls over onto her back, exposing her tummy to me. “How’s my favorite girl? I’ve missed you too!”
My fingers find all her favorite spots, and her tail wags wildly from side to side. “You know, your daughter Lillian is doing well. She’s gotten just as big as you. I’m overdue to bring her to see you. Would you like that?” My hand travels under her chin. “Would you?” Franny barks and licks my hand.
Standing up, I brush a few stray pieces of Franny’s hair off my trousers. This is one of my favorite rooms in the palace. Growing up, I spent so many hours in here with Papa. I’d sit on the rug and read next to Franny while he went through the day’s correspondence at his desk.
The decor hasn’t changed much. The far wall still contains his expansive collection of books on military history. The antique globe and collection of ships in bottles are still displayed on the mantel above the fireplace. Crossing the room, I pull open the top drawer on the right-hand side. There’re a few empty wrappers and a Cadbury Flake bar inside, his favorite candy.
“What would people say if they knew my father’s tastes were so simple?” I giggle.
A knock sounds on the connecting door. A moment later, Papa emerges. “If you’re looking for some chocolate, I’m sorry to say there isn’t much left. Your brother raided my supply last week and forgot to mention it to me. I haven’t had the chance to ask my secretary pick up some replacements.”
“May I have the Cadbury Flake bar?”
“Sure. But only if you come and give your favorite father a hug.”
“You’re my only father.” I laugh.
He wraps his arms around me and kisses the top of my head. The fine fabric of his suit brushes against my bare arms. I soakin the fresh scent of sandalwood and leather. “I’ve missed you. It’s good to have you home again.”
“I’ve missed you too.” Seeing my family over video chat is brilliant, but it’s no replacement for physically having them near me. For the last eight months, I’ve been traveling all over Europe, taking a gap year between finishing sixth form and beginning university.
“When did you arrive home?” He releases me, and hands me the chocolate bar from the drawer as we both sit down on the sofa.
“A few hours ago.”
“You’re early. We didn’t expect you home until tomorrow.” He chuckles.
“It’s been an amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience seeing so many places, but the last few weeks, I’ve started to feel homesick. I couldn’t wait to be back on English soil and see you.”
Papa flashes me a Cheshire cat smile. I see a flash of my older brother Eddie in him. “Have you at least seen your mum yet?”
“I’d planned to, but her secretary said she won’t be back from the children’s hospital expansion opening in Cornwall until late afternoon.”
“Why don’t you plan to stay for dinner tonight. We’ll turn it into a welcome home celebration. Edmund was already due to join us.”
“I’d like that.”
Papa crosses one leg over the other. “Well, don’t keep an old man waiting... how was it?”
“Inspiring.” My eyes flutter and adrenaline floods my system as I relive the last few months. I’ve traveled through Europe before as a princess, but never as a private citizen or for such an extended period of time. “Reading about architecture is one thing, but seeing it up close is...” I blow a chef’s kiss.
“And what were the top three highlights of your trip?”
“Only three?”
