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I kept my gaze on the hedgerows. “What are my chances?”
“Of winning Alfred’s approval? I’d say fair. Perkins already briefed him on what little he knew about you, and the prince enjoyed the fact that your private life is not visible online. If he didn’t like the idea of you, he would have kept you in the room to make sure you knew it.”
I chewed on that. “So sending me out so he can talk to Alex in secret is a good sign?”
“I believe so. Alexandra is the apple of his eye, even if he is a terribly neglectful father. He’ll like you if the princess tells him to. Have you met the mother? An absolute troll. I assume that Alexandra hasn’t been in touch with her recently, though she’s clearly in crisis?”
I didn’t answer, and Sarah arched an eyebrow.
“I’ll take that as a yes. I don’t mean to pry, only to point out how neither parent is very present. If you do have to meet her, I’d recommend taming via a tray of baked goods and gossip.”
I held in a laugh. “Noted. I appreciate the advice.”
A beeping sound came from somewhere on Sarah’s person, and she released my arm to pat her pockets. “Please excuse me. Ah, it’s my daughter. She texts as if I have eyes to read that tiny screen without the glasses I left upstairs. Could you, please?”
She thrust the phone at me. I read aloud.
“Mother, when are you coming home? There’s no food in the fridge, and the help is too busy cleaning up after Laurie to go shopping.”
Sarah grumbled. “Text back that she should go herself, though I’m sure she’ll complain about it.”
I did, making it a suggestion rather than a demand. “How old is she?”
“Twenty-seven. Laurie is her six-year-old, my grandson. She had a fight with her husband and moved in with me rather than work it out.”
“That sounds rough.” I tried to be sympathetic, but my mind was still in the upstairs room with Alex.
“It’s rough for me. Why do you think I’m here? Their argument was over her laziness. I’m with the husband.”
I burst out in a genuine laugh. “Shite, sorry. I can’t relate. I fended for myself from my teenage years. Time on her own will do her some good. Maybe give the help she referred to some time off?”
Sarah brightened. “Genius. Hand me back that phone.”
She squinted then dialled a number and strolled away.
I took a moment to check the messages in my team’s group chat. They’d all arrived on-site. I scrolled down to the last.
Jackson: The café is thick with reporters and armchair detectives. Johnnie leaked big time. No sign of the photog.
It didn’t surprise me. Johnnie’s attitude had given away his intent without him having to say a word. It pissed me off that I hadn’t acted faster, though. I could’ve done more.
Another message sprang up on a different chat, one for my family.
Gabe: At long last, let me introduce you to the newest member of our family. Our lad, born half an hour ago at a hefty nine pounds four ounces. Mother and baby doing fine. Effie’s relieved it’s over. We’re both instantly in love.
He attached a picture of a wee scrap of a dark-haired bairn, bundled in a white hospital blanket and with his eyes closed.
Instantly, my sister was typing.
Ariel: Oh God! The cuteness. Got a name for him?
Gabe: Not yet. We had one picked out, but it doesn’t suit him. Back to the drawing board.
I sent my congratulations, waiting for the familiar wave of fear to swoop in on me, as it had done every time I’d thought about our father interfering with his grandchild’s life. It didn’t come. Perhaps it was the high energy of the day. Maybe later I’d lose my mind.
Still walking with me, Sarah chatted on the phone in a language I didn’t know, and I took a moment to centre myself, skimming over the perimeter of the private lawn and up to the gate.
A furious-looking grey-haired man stormed up to it.