Page 2 of Regally Binding

“Kings don’t do live broadcasts,” Isla continued. “Every year, he makes a Christmas speech that’s filmed weeks before and has a carefully managed script. He doesn’t do anything like this because it’s not allowed. My media colleagues have messaged our networks for the last hour, and it’s all over Instagram.”

“So I’m asking again, why is this important?” Liss’s voice echoed around the pub.

Steve collapsed into a chair and propped his feet up on a table, commentating, “The big fight resumes, Liss Granger in one corner and Isla Redding in the other.”

Liss raised her eyebrow, and he dropped his feet to the floor.

“You don’t have social media, so you don’t get it. But this is massive. No one talks about the royals on social unless they’re in court, doing something controversial, or getting married. The royal media team is streaming his announcement everywhere. This is epic. Please, Liss. I’ll come to yours and do your washing up for a week,” Isla begged.

The teenagers watched the action from their worn wooden chairs before resuming their kissing. Oh, to be that desperate for someone else that you didn’t care about the shitty décor and bad furnishings. This pub needed work. If her mum were still around, she’d have helped Liss improve the place herself with little touches. But she wasn’t and never would be again.

Liss shook her head and stepped closer to Isla, crossing her arms over her chest. “You don’t do your own washing up.”

“Fine. I’ll cook for you for a week.” This broadcast must have been significant. Isla’s career, and climbing the ladder in the PR firm she’d joined out of university, were everything to her. Although they were best friends, they were painfully different.While Isla was conquering the PR world, Liss was still trying to find her purpose.

“A month,” Steve called out.

“Shut up, you,” Isla called back, swatting his presence away with her hand. “Please, Liss, I need to see this. It might help my career.”

“And you can’t watch it on your phone because…?” Liss stared at Isla, who was looking anywhere but at her.

Steve jumped in, “She’s run out of data watching all those dodgy videos her Tinder dates send her.”

“There’s nothing dodgy about sexy videos, Steve. Stop being judgemental.”

Liss winced. This wasn’t the first time they’d had this argument. At least Isla was getting videos. No one sent Liss videos of what they’d want to do with her. But then again, she’d probably freak if they did. She had to focus on finding a good guy; that was what being around her lonely mum as a teenager had taught her.

“Fine.” Liss switched to BBC1 and stood with Isla to get a good view of the television—anything to stop Steve and Isla from arguing. Isla hugged her tightly.

Her phone buzzed with a call as the announcer appeared. Surely, the guy she messaged wouldn’t call. Still, she glanced at the phone screen with hope.

“I bet it’s Nana Bets,” Steve said, sidling up to Liss. Only Liss’s two friends, work and her grandma called her, although her grandma only called when she wanted something. “Tell her I won employee of the month again.”

Liss glared at him as she answered the phone. Hugo awarded Steve that honour every month. Hugo went to school with Steve’s parents, although he denied that had anything to do with his choice.

“Hi, Nana. Is everything okay? I can’t talk right now. The King is doing a live broadcast, and we’re all watching,” Liss whispered as Isla snatched the remote and increased the volume with exaggerated presses of the remote control.

“You can’t watch that broadcast until you see me. Come outside,” her grandma ordered. She had a lot of audacity for a woman who was usually swanning around the world visiting her former dancer friends. “I’m waiting in a Bentley.”

“But—”

“No buts. Right now, Felicity,” she snapped.

Liss winced before mumbling, “Everyone’s so bloody demanding today. I don’t like stressy people.”

“And yet you’re friends with us.” Steve chuckled. His skin turned pink when she shot him a look.

Isla grabbed her hand giddily. Liss liked to see her pseudo family happy. They were the only family she had aside from her nana.

“Hello. I am sure this is a surprise for you all.” The King stared into the camera, his chin raised in pride. There was that charisma the country loved.

“He looks a bit off. He should be wearing a tie,” Steve mumbled.

Isla shushed him.

The way the King slouched slightly in a grey woolly jumper ticked the “break from protocol” boxes.

The King continued, “It’s unprecedented for a monarch to speak to his country like this, and I realise you are all waiting to hear what I have to share. But first…”

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