Page 56 of Next in Line

Not for the first time, Ross was grateful that the back windows were tinted. Otherwise, there would have been a steady stream of gawpers in other cars trying to take photos on the move, some even while they were driving.

Although he wasn’t looking forward to spending a weekend in the country with ‘His Royal Upstart’, as William referred to him, he was interested to see what Jamil Chalabi’s home was like. Glitzy and vulgar, he assumed. His thoughts were interrupted when Diana asked, ‘When do you think we’ll get there, Ross?’

He checked his watch. ‘About another forty minutes, ma’am. So we might be a few minutes late.’

She then blindsided him by asking, ‘You don’t like Jamil, do you?’ Ross couldn’t think of a suitable reply. ‘Just as I thought,’ she said as they drove into Guildford.

As they proceeded slowly along the high street, she delivered the single word he most dreaded.

‘Stop,’ she said firmly – more of a command than a request. Her former protection officer had warned Ross that it always happened when you least expected it.

He slowed down and parked on a single yellow line. He unbuckled his seatbelt, but she’d escaped before he could reach the back door. One look, and he knew exactly where she was heading. He quickly followed her into the shop to find her gazing around, her eyes lit up like a drunk who’s found the only bar in town.

Wherever you looked, there were handbags of every shape, size and colour, that had found their way from all over the world to a boutique in Guildford. HRH was clearly in paradise.

To Ross’s relief there was no one else inside the shop, other than a young woman behind the counter, whose mouth was wide open, though no words were coming out. HRH wasenjoying the feast that surrounded her, still unsure which would be her first course.

Ross quickly switched the open sign to closed and stood with his back to the door – though within minutes, he accepted that everyone in Guildford would know who had just ridden into town.

HRH was taking her time, closely examining various bags that particularly appealed to her, looking inside to make sure they would cater for the needs of a princess, which often included somewhere to put ‘today’s speech’.

She’d just about completed her preliminary search when an older man appeared from an office at the back of the shop. After a second take, he stammered, ‘Good morning, Your Majesty,’ and bowed low from the waist. ‘Is there anything I can help you with?’

‘Thank you. I’m finding it hard to choose between these,’ said Diana, placing two handbags on the counter.

‘This one,’ he said, picking up the first bag, ‘is a classic French model made by Le Tanneur, who have been established for almost a hundred years. And this one is a Burberry. Your Majesty will be familiar with the brand, as I know it’s one of your favourites.’

Diana turned to Ross. ‘If you had to choose one of these for Josephine, which do you think she would have preferred?’

Ross deserted his post by the door and joined HRH at the counter. He took a closer look at the bags before saying, ‘You have to remember, ma’am, that Jo was French, and when it came to style, she considered the British were still on a learning curve, so there’s no doubt which one she would have selected.’

‘I agree with her,’ said Diana, after taking a third look at both bags. ‘I’ll have this one,’ she said, handing the Le Tanneur to the young woman, who still hadn’t spoken.

‘An excellent choice, Your Majesty, if I may say so,’ said the owner as he began to wrap up the chosen bag.

HRH’s next request didn’t take Ross by surprise.

‘I don’t have any money on me, Ross, so could you possibly …?’

‘Not a problem, ma’am.’ Ross took out his wallet and not for the first time, handed over his credit card.

Once the owner had finished wrapping up the bag, he rushed across to the door, opened it, and said, ‘We look forward to seeing you again, Your Majesty,’ followed by an even lower bow.

When Ross stepped out of the shop, he wasn’t surprised to find that a large crowd had gathered on the pavement outside. They began clapping and taking photos the moment she appeared; one particularly enterprising mother had bought a bunch of flowers from the shop next door, which her young daughter held up as she passed. Diana bent down, accepted the bouquet, and gave the girl a hug. The mother got her photo opportunity.

As Ross shepherded HRH back to the car, he made a request of a young constable who’d assessed the situation.

Diana waved as the car moved off and made its way slowly through the enthusiastic crowd that had spilled out onto the road. When Ross was finally able to speed up, he checked the rear-view mirror and satisfied himself that the young policeman had followed his instructions. He was holding up the traffic to make sure no one could chase after them – a protection officer’s worst nightmare.

As they drove out of town, Ross was beginning to feel grateful that they appeared to have escaped unscathed, when a cry came from the back seat.

‘Oh, help!’ said Diana. ‘We’re going to have to go back.’

‘Why, ma’am?’ asked Ross, who had no intention of returning, even if it was a royal command.

‘He’s given me both bags.’

‘Hardly a surprise, ma’am,’ said Ross.

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