Page 21 of Learning to Rule

“What’s so funny?”

“Nothing, I’m just imagining you in high heels.”

“High heels? Why?” Dalton looks at me as if I’ve gone mad. “I thought you were looking at pictures from your yoga group?”

“I was.” I chuckle.

He shakes his head.

“You know what, I’m not even going to ask.”

“Probably a good idea,” I wink at him.

I put the phone away in my small clutch as we pull up to the youth center. It’s a special center for children and young people who have various disabilities or difficulties at home. This place allows them the space to get away for a few hours to experience new and different things, and to just be themselves. Dalton told me he opened it several years ago and has been back a few times to visit.

Today is a special day as the previous head of the center is leaving and a new one is taking over. Dalton wanted to be here to let them all know this place is important to him. I wonder if secretly he would have liked to have had the opportunity to attend something similar when he was young, so he too could have experienced what it was really like to be a child.

We wait for the car to come to a halt before the doors are opened. I’m on the far side of the car, so when my door opens, I slide out and go around to greet Dalton. He told me we didn’t need to wear uncomfortable, formal suits today, and in fact, he’s dressed down in plain black pants, a shirt, and sweater. I have on a pair of black pants with a blouse.

Dalton takes my hand, and we step forward to greet the people assembled on the doorstep of the center, waiting to meet us.

“Mr. Williams, it’s wonderful to see you again. I hope you are well?” Dalton addresses an older looking gentleman who comes forward first. Dalton let’s go of my hand and shakes Mr. Williams’.

“It’s fantastic to see you again, Your Highness. I still can’t believe after all these years, trying to get this place running, I’m finally going to retire.”

“I must admit I was shocked when I was told. I thought you were a permanent fixture here.”

I stay back and watch as Dalton and Mr. Williams converse freely and easily like they’re old friends. It’s one of the first outings I’ve been on where there isn’t any boring formality, and it doesn’t involve the undeserved adulation of the royal family and affirmation of their supposed brilliance.

“I very nearly wasn’t going to retire, but then I found Miss Harris. She’s everything I want in a replacement. I think she’s the female embodiment of me.” Mr. Williams laughs and calls the woman next to him forward. “Prince Dalton, I hope you will allow me to introduce you to Miss Harris. She’ll be taking over from me here, and I couldn’t be more delighted.”

Miss Harris curtsies to Dalton, and I continue to watch on. He speaks to her with great ease for a few more moments before turning to me.

“Both of you, I would like to introduce you to someone very special to me, this is Miss Elodie Nash.”

I reach my hand out to shake theirs.

“Lovely to meet you both. Dalton has told me a lot about this project. I can’t wait to go inside and see it all.”

“You are most welcome, Miss Nash.”

Mr. Williams motions for me to walk with him while Dalton goes ahead of us with Miss Harris.

As we’re led into the building, I’m reminded of a facility that was set up at the Serendipity resort where I teach my yoga classes. It’s similar to this one, providing young people with the opportunity to partake in club activities such as sport and art or to just sit and read a book. It’s all about giving them somewhere to escape.

“We’d like to introduce you to some of our young members, if that’s all right?” Mr. Williams asks, and nodding, Dalton gives him an enthusiastic smile.

“This is Freddie. He has severe issues with anxiety after witnessing an assault on his mother when he was younger.” Mr. Williams points to a teenage boy wearing a pair of low slung jeans and a hoodie. He doesn’t look up at us. I can feel the nerves radiating off of him from here.

“Hi,” he mumbles into his chest, keeping his eyes lowered. His anxiety clearly taking hold of him.

“This is Elizabeth.” Miss Harris rushes to introduce us to another young person. Dalton steps forward and talks to her while I find myself hanging back a bit, my thoughts still concerned with the anxiety Freddie is displaying.

“This must be very scary, having us here and all the press outside.” I move to stand next to Freddie.

“I’m not used to big crowds and lots of different people,” Freddie whispers, his words are barely distinguishable.

“Can I let you in on a big secret? Neither am I. This is all very new to me. I’m pretty scared myself.” I lean back on the table behind me and cross my legs at the ankle.

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