Her Geordie accent was in full force this morning. I was glad she was here to witness things.
I nodded, tamping the grounds.
“Now, Ella!” Jax barked sharply.
I ignored her shouting, grabbed the water, and dumped in the espresso shot. I wondered what it might take to poison someone. Could it be done easily? I contemplated googling it on the way to Jax’s desk but thought better.
“Here you are, Jax,” I spoke faux-cheerful.
“Brilliant. Abi will be late.The baby, you know?”
She said the last part as if being thirty-six weeks pregnant was no excuse. Abi was due soon with her first baby. I had no idea what went into pregnancy but at twenty-five, I wasn’t convinced I wanted children and wasn’t about to find out. And Abi’s pregnancy had been complicated. Jax’s hand was forced to pick up the slack, but that wouldn’t happen. Jax did little other than bitch about clients she hated and throw work at her junior employees. So, I stepped in to placate clients and wear a dozenhats. Her favorite, Maurice, was always left largely unscathed while I toiled.
I loathed my job but loved Abi. She had never been anything but good to me. The problem began when she brought Jax on. Things changed—and not for better. In my three years here, the last had been the most difficult. Jax gave me panic attacks. I was actively in search of another position, but I felt guilty. I didn’t want to leave while Abi was out with a baby.
I began to excuse myself, but Jax said. “No, stay. We have matters to attend to—big ones. You and Abi are requested on a VIP assignment. She’ll be here within the hour, and you will head there.”
“Oh?” I looked confused. “Oh… okay?”
“What, is that not good enough for you?”
“Nope. Sounds great,” I agreed.
I returned to my desk, wondering about the special assignment. Our PR firm was the best band of fixers in the city, which was primarily why I stayed. If I wanted to build my own outfit someday, I’d learn from the best today. Abi was who you needed on your side when shit got real.
Was it a footballer who got caught with a model in a pregnancy scandal? Or maybe an MP who had a lovechild? I scrolled the headlines, looking at updates to the biggest day’s news—The Prince of Wales’s conversation with his ex. It was spicy! It made him look like a complete asshole.
“I’d guess it were him,” Myrtle looked over my shoulder. “Your secret assignment.”
“Yeah?” I asked. “Well, I am sure they have their own people to manage it. I guess we’ll see.”
Abi phoned, “Hiya, I’m back. Grab the files I sent Myrtle a moment ago and come down to the car. I’m in the garage just waiting. We can zip over there.”
Though details remained unclear, I packed my things and left. I found her waiting.
“You got your ID right?” She asked.
I nodded. Oh, so it wasdefinitelyan MP.
“Great. Well, that will do. We are headed to Buckingham Palace. Buckle up!”
Buckle up, indeed.
3
A MIRACLE BABY
DUNCAN
5 December
London Daily Times
The Duchess of Lauderdale, Lady Lucy Ferguson, was spotted arriving at Buckingham Palace this morning. Toting her goddaughter, tiny Vanora Lyons-Lennon, she entered the Palace, face drawn. Lady Ferguson often known only as “The Duchess” by insiders is often labeled a mastermind. A former Lady Chamberlain, she knows how to clean up a mess and redirect the conversation.
“Lady Ferguson was essential in handling matters during the split from the Church. She is Her Majesty's favorite confidante and will be central in damage control,” Royal Correspondent Leo Hayes says. “I am not surprised by her arrival today. I expected it. Her Majesty is taking this crisis seriously.”
And, in an unexpected turn of events, a new player has entered the ring in the battle now known as “PrinceGate”. Known spin doctor extraordinaire Abigail Forrest has arrived along with an unnamed partner-in-crime at BuckinghamPalace Gate. The women were spotted entering the service entrance shortly after the Duchess of Lauderdale arrived. Per insiders, Ms. Forrest works closely with many power players in London and Hollywood alike. Maybe the Queen's niece Leah Roughy did the introductions?
