Page 36 of Duchess Material

“I hope it’s the best,” Winston said. “Could be a disaster. We’ve never travelled together.”

“I know. Could be fun?”

“I’m down if you’re down,” Winston said.

“I am, yes. Hell, I’ve never brought anyone home. They’ll be relieved I have a boyfriend I haven’t run off yet.”

“Luce, you and George were together for years and years,” Winston said.

“And they don’t know. Nor will they. I can’t handle them saying anything about it. My mother doesn’t understand bisexuality. As in, she doesn’t think that’s a thing. Don’t make me explain all of this because it doesn’t make a lick of sense and—”

Winston snickered. “Nothing has to make sense. When you meet my dad, you will understand.”

“I get the feeling he’ll hate me.”

“Why, Luce? You’re lovely!”

“You describe him as a snob. After spending a week with me back home, you will be aware I am not from money. I am far from posh. You’d be smart to keep me far away.”

“I promise you if he ever says anything at all to you, I will tell him to fuck right off,” Winston insisted. “He’d be so lucky to have you and Sheena both in the family. I probably won’t subject you to him if I am smart. But… it’s not because you aren’t wonderful. It’s because you are wonderful and I would like to keep you, Lucy.”

Frida climbed on the centre console to kiss Lucy’s cheek.

Lucy laughed. “Well, hello, do you feel left out?”

“She is worried Mummy is about to leave her again.”

Lucy played with Frida’s ears. “Before you know it, darling, I’ll be home. Wait… who will watch the dogs?”

“I’ll call the dog sitters,” Winston said. “While you are up there. We’ll get it worked out.”

“We have five dogs.”

“I am well aware, Luce.”

“Who are we?”

“The pet parents to five dogs.”

They reached the gate of the private terminal and handed over their IDs. Lucy explained the situation and they were waved through to the waiting plane.

“I gotta go,” Lucy leaned to kiss Winston.

He returned the favour, giving her a kiss that made her tingle and wish she didn’t have to board the plane.

“I love you. Fly safe.”

“I will,” Lucy said, then scratching the dog behind the ears. “Be good to your father. I’ll be back soon.”

8

A FAMILY AFFAIR

“So, you’re dating a normie?” Crown Prince Olav asked.

The two old friends watched oft-serious Nobel Laureates dancing like idiots to Swedish pop music before them. Natalie swivelled, her head feeling weighted down by her headgear. Tonight, was a tiara evening. “Yes. He’s lovely.”

“Victoria referred to him as ‘sexy as fuck’ which made me… want to vomit.”

---