Perhaps it wouldn’t hurt if Miranda did likewise. Miranda knew how it felt to be on your own, after all. Then she reminded herself of why she was there and pushed away the thought – she had absolutely nothing in common with the girl, after all. But she’d mention it to Betty all the same, she thought as she hurried away.
AS SHE WENT TOthe telephone box later that evening, her mind flitted back to that look on Caroline’s face, the worry of losing her job. She’dmeant to tell O’Hara about the gown, but as she heard his gruff voice on the other end of the phone, doubt crept through her.
If she told him about the gown, it would be all over the newspapers. Even without Miranda’s name or any source on it, she knew that suspicions would fall on Caroline. She couldn’t let her down, and especially not now that she’d met Angus. Anything to help the poor woman find a little joy.
‘Have you seen the gown yet?’ O’Hara’s voice boomed down the receiver.
‘N-no, but I have more gossip.’ Thinking fast, she said, ‘The queen’s husband, Philip, isn’t at all happy.’
‘It can’t be easy, having a wife as monarch.’ Of course O’Hara would loathe the idea of bowing down to a woman.
She relayed the couple’s conversation.
‘Interesting,’ he said without enthusiasm. ‘Write it up. And what about the gown? I thought you said you had a way to get it?’
Thinking fast, she made up a lie: ‘I’m still working on it, sir. But for now I have a way to get the security maps.’ She drew a heavy breath – those were the plans in the minister’s boardroom. It would be risky getting them, but surely that was better than putting Caroline’s job at risk?
O’Hara barked, ‘Just get it by the weekend,’ and thrust down the phone.
As she headed home, she worried about what she’d promised.
How would she get into the minister’s office? It was always busy, and the cabinet where the documents were kept was locked. It felt like madness.
But at least the only person whose job was on the line was her own.
CAROLINE
DUSK HAD FALLEN,ONLY THE GLIMMER OF MOONLIGHTshowing the greenhouse enclosures beside the palace walls. As Caroline crept across the lawn, her heart pounded.
The folded single page had been slipped into the pocket of her coat, left on her hook in the cloakroom. Having read it a dozen times, she knew it word for word.
Dear Caroline,
There are things that need to be discussed. Could you meet me in the large greenhouse after work this coming Tuesday at six? If you go through the gardeners’ door, it is the first greenhouse, straight ahead of you.
I won’t take up much of your time.
Regards,
Angus
It wasn’t exactly friendly.
But she knew she had to meet him, now that he’d seen Annabel.
The only way to put this whole business behind her was to let him know they were fine, that he wasn’t welcome in their lives.
Whatever happened, she couldn’t risk anyone finding out that Annabel was his child. What if the palace knew? Or worse, Frank?
The largest of the greenhouses gave off a dull, desolate hue. Itlooked deserted, and she shivered in the still air as she found the door and opened it.
Inside, the scent of pine saplings filled the cramped space. Rows of young trees crowded the centre, giving the place a shadowy, claustrophobic feeling. She wavered on the edge before taking a deep breath and heading inside.
Down a long row she went, branches brushing her arms and face. The sound of dripping water echoed sporadically, and she wondered if he was even there.
‘Caroline,’ came an urgent whisper from somewhere close.
Jerking back, she bumped into a workbench running along the side.
