Page 91 of The English Queen

“Oh, you two are so wonderful,” Vanna said.

Kiersten fussed and reached for her mother.

“No, I am busy loading the car. Stay with Daddy.”

Robbie would have offered, but Vanna wanted it just so. He did not engage. Instead, Robbie tucked the children into the car so they could leave, which was its own argument. Paul wanted to sit by George. George wanted the middle seat and not the back. Paul’s seat couldn’t be moved because then they’d have to jockey the baby’s seat. It was a mess. George relented and Natalie agreed to sit by Kiersten, making it known this was “the worst” in the process. Things calmed and they made it to the Castle by some wonder.

Robbie could tell Vanna was nervous. Things had been better, but Maggie remained unpredictable. Vanna never said much about it. She never said flat out she didn’t want to see Maggie. That seemed cruel. Still, it was always there in the back of Robbie’s mind. He couldn’t blame his wife. So many things had been done and said that it was impossible to imagine Vanna “getting over” it and dusting her hands. Vanna was saintly. Cancer made her empathetic. Vanna attended because she wanted to see Beth, Rebecca, and Rita.

“Bring that baby here,” Maggie announced as Robbie entered the courtyard with Kiersten on his hip.

“She’s wild. Watch out,” Robbie chuckled, handing the baby over.

He turned to see his sister. “Well, there is my beautiful sister. How is married life? Does it suit?”

Beth gave Robbie a tight hug. “It is good. Good getting back for a moment.”

“Well, the kids will be happy. Please go relish some attention on Paul if you would. And warn the husband. He’s out for blood. He’s sure The King of Bacon is about to steal you and you won’t love him anymore.”

“Oh, poor sweet boy. I shall. How could anyone forget darling Paul? Besides, Louis adores him.”

“Oh, you’re here!” Vanna threw her arms around Beth excitedly.

“Hello, darling!”

“You look lovely.”

“Married life suits me, I guess?”

“I’d say,” Vanna said. “Where is my child?”

Robbie snickered. “Earlier she was my child. Now, she’s yours?”

“Where is K?”

“She’s with Mummy and Pa,” Robbie nodded in their direction.

“You forgot her shoes, Robert!”

“Shit,” Robbie patted his pocket. “I’ve got them. I’ll be over there in a second.”

Robbie pulled out the tiny booties he’d forgotten and returned to his parents. Kiersten sat on Maggie’s lap with Keir’s nose in her hands. He made silly faces and she giggled nonstop. Kiersten had the biggest belly laughs. It was contagious.

“Shoes. My fault. Put them in my pocket and then forgot them.”

“Oh, they are darling but why aren’t they the firm ones?” his mother asked. “I swear, babies never wear real shoes anymore.”

“These are what the doctor says they should wear. It’s what they told us.”

“Doctors,” Maggie rolled her eyes.

“She’s adorable, hen. Look at that cheeky little grin!”

Kiersten giggled incessantly and kicked her legs as if trying to free herself from the confines of her shoes. In a week, she would have grown out of them. That was the curse of being a growing child.

“Are you ready to make an announcement?” Margaux asked.

“Today? Now?” Robbie wondered. “Mum, we talked about Ascot—”

---