Page 47 of The English Queen

“She’s very young. I understand.”

“She will grow up soon enough. I don’t want to overload you with too much.”

“I will be starting chemo. It might be a bit much.”

“I know, Mum. Focus on taking care of you. We will manage.”

“Will you tell Vanora?”

“I will tell her after Christmas,” Robbie said. “I do not think it’s a good time. We can start to plan a bit after the children have a happy Christmas.”

“About Christmas,” the Queen said, “I’m not in any shape to do it. I do think you all should go. I do not think I will go.”

“I understand,” Robbie agreed, relieved.

“It’s already different. Elliot and Charlotte won’t be there. Nor will Beth, obviously.”

“Sabine will not, either, I suppose?”

“I do not think so. I think she and Malcolm will stay on here to keep us company.”

Robbie nodded, “We will go.”

“Could you bring the children by before you do to unwrap gifts?” Maggie sounded exhausted. “I would love to see them.”

“I can, yes. Pick a day. I will bring all four. They will be happy to come and see Granny and Pa.”

Robbie retreated to his job for the day. His mother’s rolling over was telling. She was tired. Maggie was ready to give in, defeated. Or, perhaps, she was knackered and ready to enjoy her husband and grandchildren? He’d been able to move forward slowly and clue Vanna in eventually. He assumed she would pick up on it before that. However, overloading her at this time was a bad idea.

Robbie came home later to find Rita and Bruno dining with Vanna. He told her not to hold dinner for his sake.

“Mummy has called Christmas,” Robbie said. “She will be staying at Windsor—permanently and also for the holiday.”

“Well, shouldn’t we still go?” Vanna asked. “For some semblance of normal.”

“We will. But we will keep it simple. Rita, Bruno, I welcome you all to come along. You shouldn’t feel obligated. Rita, your mother is expected to stick around, according to Mum.”

“We don’t have the boys. We were planning on going for the company alone. Who could blame me for wanting to show off my baby bump? I’ll actually be cute pregnant,” Rita said.

“You’re already plenty cute,” Vanna assured Rita. “Stop it. But, yes, I’d like the company and the kids would like you there.”

“I struggle with the idea of a sad Christmas here with no kids. And we’ll be in Mexico right before so everyone will have seen us there.”

Rita and Bruno were honeymooning in Mexico and expected to stop by with his family before returning to the UK. Rita’s boys and her parents would fly them out after school break. Robbie was jealous. He would have traded London’s horrid weather for sunshine at about any price. He also wanted a horse. Goodness, he would gave away just about anything for a horse.

“I assume Duncan and Bex will join?” Bruno wondered.

“They haven’t a choice. I won’t give him one. But where ours go, theirs usually do. Mum wants the grandkids to come open presents ahead of time. I told her my staff would organise it if she could pick a date. I will manage it, Vanora. You needn’t involve yourself.”

Vanna looked relieved.

“It’s going to be okay, my love,” Robbie squeezed her hand. “It’s going to be great.”

“I am relieved it went well,” Vanna said.

“How did the appointment go?” Robbie wondered.

“It was fine. They have me on medication. I am hopeful it will help. I am glad I am not nursing. It would be infinitely more complicated.”

---