Page 81 of The Last Days of Lilah Goodluck

“Why would the palace leak it?” I ask. “What do they hope to gain?”

“Good question, sweetie,” says Her Ladyship. “As I was opening the second magnum of champagne last night, the princess happened to mention that the heir apparent is less than happy with his new fiancée. In fact, she said he’s close to calling the whole thing off. You can imagine the commotion such an announcement would cause. Which explains why the king has been calling me to work off some stress.”

“They’re using us to distract the media?” asks Alistair.

“I imagine the press were about to run a report the crown didn’t like. So they offered up you two instead. It’s not the first time we’ve lost control of the narrative,” says Her Ladyship. “But does it necessarily have to be a bad thing? Does it really matter if people know you’re engaged?”

Which is when I join in on the frowning. “But we’re not engaged.”

“Aren’t you?”

“Yes. I mean, no. I mean... Oh, God, I don’t know.” I drop my voice to a whisper. “Make her stop, Ali. I love your mother, I really do. But it’s too early in the morning for this. The world thinks we’re getting married, and I haven’t even had coffee yet. Let alone talked to my parents.”

“It’s not as if you haven’t always yearned for some stability, my darling boy,” continues Her Ladyship, blissfully unaware. “And any fool can see you have feelings for each other.”

Alistair squeezes his eyelids shut tight and shakes his head. As if he’s in actual pain. “Mother. No.”

“You two are so sweet together and you’ve already got the ring. And you can be certain I wouldn’t hand over the Lennox diamond to just anyone. As I told the princess yesterday, it’s a treasured family heirloom.”

“You lost it for most of the early 2000s.”

“But I found it again. That’s what’s important.”

Her son does not look convinced.

“You and Lilah make such a charming couple. Odds are you were bound to take the leap sooner or later, don’t you think? And I don’t mean to be harsh, but you’re not getting any younger, darling. It takes a certain amount of energy to run around after children, and to make them in the first place,” she says with much raunch. “Just think about it... You could have the ceremony and reception here at the beach. The house is big enough for a few hundred guests at least.”

“I’m hanging up now.”

“But, darling—”

I reach for my cell. Things have calmed down since I turned off notifications. But I still have a bunch of texts, several from Rebecca.

THIS IS YOUR MAID OF HONOR TEXTING. Are you really getting married?

Definitely not getting married, I reply.Long story. TTYL

There are also many messages from my mother, whose name starts flashing on my screen as the cell vibrates again.

“Mom?”

“How could you not tell me you were engaged?”

“Oh.”

“Oh.Is that all you have to say? I had to find out about it from Otto at the bakery on my morning walk.”

“Otto from the bakery told you Alistair and I were getting married?”

“And Minh and Jackie across the road. They were out watering their garden!” exclaims Mom. “Nadine yelled out something as she rode past on her moped, but she was going too fast for me to hear. The point is, everybody knew except me!”

“That’s really only three people that we can be sure of. Not exactly everybody.”

“Lilah!”

I wince at the ringing in my ear. Mom always did have a great set of lungs on her. “Um. Yes, Mom. You’re upset. But the thing is—”

“I know we’ve had our issues over the years, but this is very disappointing, not to mention reckless behavior. You’ve barely known him a week. How could you be so foolish?”

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