Page 87 of The Un-Apparent Heir

“I missed you so much, Luce,” Winston whispered. “Everything was so hard without you. The day you left, I just assumed you left forever. I called my Mum?—”

“Why did you not ring me?”

“Because I thought you’d run off with Iona and it would only make things worse.”

“No, Winston. I would never have hurt her or stolen her away.”

“I was so frightened.”

“I spent six hours with her at the clinic alone waiting to get a diagnosis. And then I went to get coffee after picking up her damn ear drops and fucking Rose approached me and tried to help me with Iona. Also, they had no coffee. Long story. I called her a cunt, threatened to make sure her boys never got into good schools, and then drove around in circles until Iona finally stopped screaming.”

“I’m a shit husband. I’m sorry.”

“I blame Rose for Rose. I will loathe the next time I must see her stupid face,” Lucy groaned. “But I blame you for not coming to rescue me. And I blame me for not demanding you did.”

“You’re not going to lift a finger this time,” Winston said. “And once we get settled, you’re going to go back to work and do whatever it is you love. I will stay home with the kids.”

“I realise this is what you proposed years ago and I poo-pooed the idea. I’m sorry.”

“And here I was thinking that I was providing for you in the best way. But, no, Luce. I was giving you far too little. I’m sorry.”

Lucy smiled up at his big blue eyes. “I love you, Winston. Let’s not do this again.”

“I’d rather not, no. Are you coming back with me tonight?”

“I don’t think that is a good idea. It’s best if you bring the boys tomorrow morning and we all reunite like it was planned this way.”

Winston nodded. “But I don’t want to leave you, Lulu.”

“I know,” Lucy said. “But it’s just for one night. Then, we’re back together for good.”

“I don’t know what to do with the estate, but I will talk to Mum and Gerry. We will figure something out,” Winston said. “You and I need a proper fucking holiday without kids before this baby comes. I want unlimited hours spent with you—doing absolutely nothing.”

“I could go for that, Tony,” Lucy smiled. “I would gladly join you.”

22

THE COUNTESS REIGNS SUPREME

For Immediate Release?—

Kensington Palace can confirm the happy news that Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales is expecting her first child with her husband, His Royal Highness the Duke of Cornwall. The couple are making preparations for a baby arriving in late summer. As such, the Princess was reassigned to in-classroom simulator duty at RAF Valley where she had been responsible for training an F-35 Lightning II squadron. She is restricted from flying military aircraft until after delivery. Future movements on her RAF career will be forthcoming as they are known. The Princess and Duke are very excited to share this with everyone.

From the Desk of the King?—

It is with great pleasure that myself and my wife announce the expected arrival of another grandchild this year. As you may know, we expect our sixth and seventh grandchildren to be born to the Duke and Duchess of Inverness late this spring. But now we know that the Princess of Wales is due with a baby expected in late summer. Given the complicated road for the Princess and Duke of Cornwall, it is wonderful news for our family. We will be so blessed with three new grandchildren in the family this summer—a total of eight now.

“Luce, don’t go yet,” Natalie said.

Lucy stopped—confused—holding a plate of cheese. “I told you I’d bring this in?—”

“No, no, that’s fine. It’s more… I have been nervous about this talk but I think I am ready.”

Natalie lowered the wrench she held and tried wiping her oily hands on her jumpsuit.

“What?” Lucy looked nervous.

“This is good. Deep breaths. I didn’t ask you to bring cheese to share and force you to listen to my explanation about a valve opening and closing only to send you away.”

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