One, my older brother did enough clubbing for the both of us whenhe was my age. Two, going out involves having a social life, which I lack. I make it a point of staying away from being bait for the press. The media has ruined my life enough for a lifetime, especially after last year.
“It sounds like we have that in common.” Angela smiles. “My ideal night is curling up on the sofa with a hot chocolate and a good book or a film.”
“Do you enjoy rom-coms?” I scoot forward in my seat. “Books and films are a guilty pleasure of mine.”
“I do.” Her eyes glimmer with excitement.
I know who’s going to be my plus-one when we get new rom-coms at the Buckingham Palace cinema. “Bruce finds them too predictable. He’s a thriller and sci-fi bloke. But the familiar storylines are what I love about them. From the meet-cute to the happily ever after, you know exactly what you’re going to get.”
“Here, here.”
I know I said I’d ignore Arthur, but there’s a nagging feeling inside my chest urging me to make an effort to include him. “What about you, Arthur? What types of films do you enjoy?” I don’t expect an answer.
“Comedy.” His tone is flat as he glances at his watch again.
“That’s great.”
Good deed done; I spend the next few minutes monopolizing Angela in conversation by swapping favorite films and what we love about them. At the top of her list areMy Big Fat Greek Wedding,13 Going on 30,andNotting Hill.While my current top three areLove Actually, Crazy Rich Asians, andEnchanted.
“Ladies, I hate to interrupt, but unfortunately, we’ll have to wrap this up. I just received a text from the security office. You two are needed back downstairs to finish processing your badges.” Bruce looks at Angela and Arthur.
“More paperwork.” Angela sighs.
“It’s never-ending,” Arthur mutters.
“It was nice meeting you two.” I shake their hands one final time.
“Thank you for tea, ma’am,” Angela says.
Arthur gives me a curt nod.
“I’ll walk you two out.” Bruce opens the door, locks eyes with Arthur, and mouths the wordhallwayto him.
Something flickers behind Arthur’s eyes. He offers Bruce the slightest of nods.
They all exit, and I’m left alone. I wish Angela could’ve stayed longer. She’s brilliant. I enjoyed spending some time getting to know her, but I understand that she’s here to work, not to idly chitchat with me. I let out a sigh of relief. At least I have a good feeling about her. Arthur, however, needs to go.
Family dinnersat Buckingham Palace aren’t at all like film and television make them out to be. During the day, we may dress formally, but come evening, when the business of state has been concluded, we dress casually, usually in jeans and T-shirts. Except for Papa. He prefers plaid button-up shirts, which he owns in every pattern and color imaginable.
Mum and Papa started the tradition of family dinner night when we were children to try and give us a taste of a normal life. Once a week, the palace chefs would have a night off and they’d let Eddie and me order takeaway. It was always something we looked forward to. We’d be on our best behavior so Papa wouldn’t have any reason to cancel our special dinner.
As adults, our schedules keep us apart more than when we’re together, but Papa still makes an effort to make sure we have at least one family dinner a month. Tonight, it was Eddie’s turn to order. We have about twenty containers of Chinese food spread out over the dining room table. That may seem like a lot, but he and Papa can easily eat half of them. It’s one of the reasons I always help myself to the bao buns first. They’re the first item to disappear if you’re not fast enough.
“Amanda, I’m glad you were able to join us tonight,” Papa says as he dumps half a container of chow mein onto his plate, followed by some orange chicken, white rice, steamed veggies, and crispy honey walnut shrimp.
“Me too. I couldn’t pass up on the chance to see Alice.” She grins. “There are sooooooooo many things I want to ask you about your trip. It seems like you were gone forever.”
Amanda has bright green eyes, and a personality as vibrant as hercurly red hair. She’s been engaged to my brother for four years and has become a close friend.
“Not forever, only a couple months.”
“In Amanda’s world, that’s forever.” Eddie snorts. Like Papa, he packs his plate as full as he can manage, like he’s a human rubbish compactor.
Physically, Eddie has been dubbed the male version of me. We have the same sandy-blond hair, blue eyes, button nose, and cheeky smiles. However, that’s where the similarities end. Unlike me, he received the height gene that runs on Papa’s side of the family. Eddie stands just over six feet tall to my petite five-four frame. He’s also much more outgoing than me.
“You’d better save some for your mum. I bet she’ll be starving when she gets back,” Amanda elbows him.
“Don’t worry about Agnus. She rang me earlier letting me know that the opening reception ran longer than planned. She only left Cornwall about an hour ago and won’t be back until late. She’ll pick up some dinner on her way home.” Papa seats himself at the head of the table. “Although, itwouldbe nice if there were a few leftovers for her to enjoy tomorrow.” He locks eyes with my brother.
