Page 32 of The English Queen

“It will be okay. It works out. You had a plan. That’s more than I have with almost no one to rely on. I am sorry you had to implement it. I will make sure Beth comes back immediately and make sure she is alright beyond that.”

“Thanks a million.” Robbie hung up.

Vanna looked over, ready to interject.

“You actually called Louis?” She chuckled.

“Her people blocked me. Bastards. Louis thought my ask was reasonable. She’s still my asset.”

Vanna cringed.

“I know you hate that but… for the next few months, she is my asset. Louis understands. Her people hate it because it puts them in a bind. However, it’s Beth’s job as a member of this family to pitch in until she’s queen elsewhere.”

“I will never understand the logic of all of this,” Vanna sighed. “It’s so stressful.”

“Tell me about it, my love,” Robbie kissed her hand as the car sped along back to their hotel.

“I am altogether exhausted. But I know you will be up all night. Please let me take the baby if she wakes. It’s the least—”

“If I am up already, what does it matter?” Robbie wondered. “No, you get your rest. I will need you at your absolute best tomorrow. We’re travelling, getting right off a plane, and then trying to do our jobs under intense press scrutiny. I need you to be your best, charming self.”

Vanna smiled. They reached the hotel and Robbie set up a war room with staff in the dining room. Vanna went to bed. Around 2, Robbie was still awake. His sister was in the air. He was about to call the PM to explain where they were on timeline when the baby woke. And, instead of calling the PM, Robbie picked up Kiersten, changed her, popped a bottle in her mouth and sat to speak with the PM.

“So, what is the word, sir?” the once-more PM Gates asked.

“Well, Beth is in the air,” Robbie said. “She’ll be on the ground imminently. She was shaken but she is okay. She will be fine. You will be able to—” Robbie tried to talk over his babbling child as she threw her bottle across the room. One of the staffers darted to pick it up.

“Sorry. I’m here with my team, obviously, which now also includes Kiersten. She’s wide awake.”

“Isn’t your wife there?” Gates asked.

“The Princess is asleep. I need her wide awake tomorrow for our slog through everything. I can sleep when I’m dead. Kiersten doesn’t want to sleep tonight.”

“You must be exhausted.”

“I couldn’t sleep either way,” Robbie admitted. “But, yes, she’s loud and wide awake. Apologies. What I meant to say was you should be able to communicate with my staff back home who will be briefing her as soon as she gets into the car.”

“Any update on your mother’s condition?”

“No? She’s undergoing some more imaging, but my aunt declared she was feisty as ever and being a terrible patient.”

“That’s a good sign?”

“A terribly good sign.”

The baby blew a raspberry at Lord Phillip, one of the courtiers travelling with Robbie–one of the Queen’s best advisors. He was not a baby person. So, he did not respond. This angered Kiersten who tried to provoke a response.

“You have your hands full,” the PM said. “Update us overnight if you have to. We will have someone who can take down the message.”

“Thanks,” Robbie said. “When I know more, you will, too.”

Part Two: Stronger, Not Broken

Queen for a Day

Princess Bethany arrived back in England to play Queen. When her brother added her as a counsellor of state, she called him ridiculous. Now, she helped in his time of need. In three months, this would be impossible. It was odd thinking about what would change in ninety days. One day, she was a vital part of The Firm’s line up. The next, she was no longer British.

Beth didn’t have much to do at the Palace. She insisted she be placed in her old bedroom and informed the staff that when travelling alone, they put her here. It felt better. It centred her. Once settled, she checked in with the PM in person. She found PM Gates frustrating. He mentioned Baby Kiersten on the line during his last phone exchange with Robbie. Gates believed it was funny Robbie had to cope with fatherhood. He called it “rather queer” as if a man caring for his own child was odd. Beth loathed such jokes. What year was it anyway?

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