Page 25 of The Un-Apparent Heir

Natalie hung up. Ed entered the sitting room.

“Who was that?” He asked.

“Lucy. Her Dad just died… and I can’t go help her.”

“I’m sorry, baby.” Ed sat.

There was a knock.

“Ma’am, sir, the Duke and Duchess of Inverness are here. They brought some food. They said they are fine just handing it off but would also like to check in on you, Your Royal Highness.”

Ed looked at Natalie and shrugged.

“Let them in,” Natalie replied.

She wanted human comfort. Sanne and Paul would be kind.

“Hey,” Paul popped in. “You alright? Mum said you were really sick.”

“Just cysts. Nightmare girl stuff, Paul,” Natalie said.

Paul and Sanne sat on the sofa next to Ed and Natalie were camped.

“Well, I care. I am glad you are home,” Paul said. “We baked biscuits. A pregnancy craving with a bonus.”

Natalie felt another gut punch. It just kept coming. However, there were few things basic carbs couldn’t do.

“I stole your mum’s recipe,” Sanne said sweetly. “And they are divine. The salt on top and rest times make the difference, I swear.”

“They’re delicious,” Ed said.

Natalie nodded in agreement. “Thanks. I needed a cheer up.”

Sanne smiled. “And how are you doing now, Nat?”

“Achey. I have surgery tomorrow. And about that, I am pretty broken up. Lucy’s Dad just passed. I cannot even attend the funeral.”

“Oh, shit. That’s so sad,” Paul said.

Paul always loved Lucy. He’d been heartbroken when George broke it off.

Sanne patted Paul’s knee. “We should go, baby. We should make sure the family shows up for Lucy.”

“Well, I assume that Rita and Bruno will go,” Natalie said. “I assume they will show up for their daughter-in-law.”

“We could ride over with them,” Paul said. “Rita never flies commercial.”

Natalie snickered. “True.”

“We should. And we’d get to see my family again. They’d come over to see us,” Sanne said.

“You two just want to find any excuse to stay in the U.S.,” Ed joked. “Twist your arms.”

“It’s chill there. You must admit. People are kind in a small town. It’s why George stays.” Paul shrugged.

“It’s beautiful, I’ll grant you,” Natalie said.

Natalie would never quite understand the attraction to living in the States. She had several times, but it never quite stuck with her. Perhaps, living in the California desert wasn’t her cup of tea and the rest of the country was better? The way her mother made her childhood sound, growing up in the U.S. could be idyllic, but all Natalie saw was a herd of people who couldn’t queue to save their lives.

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