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Confusion prevented any chance of me enjoying the football match, not that I was particularly a fan of men kicking a ball up and down a field in order to score a goal. More, I was dwelling over the fact that apparently I was booked in for a formal visit at Kensington Hospital which included opening a new wing. A press pack, patient bedside chats, interviews.
All news to me.
Subtly, I’d checked the email Sir Reginald had sent me with the event calendar I’d signed up to. In our conversation, the private secretary had been clear that my work would be limited, and much of it not publicised because he wasn’t sure how the public would react to me. Not when I carried the baggage of a party princess.
Yet the hospital’s director already had a date in mind and wanted to talk through the finer details. I’d managed to get through the conversation as noncommittally as possible without being rude, but I had a tight belly from worrying over being in the dark. It didn’t help my stomach cramps which now panged deep and low.
I just wanted to go home.
When the half-time whistle blew, I took my chance and sidled up to Riss. “What time can we leave?”
“Is something the matter, ma’am?”
“Not really. I’m just uncomfortable.”
She checked her watch. “The plan was to leave at the three-quarter point.”
I knew that. Royals always left ahead of the rush of people exiting the stadium. It was safer and meant the cars wouldn’t get snared up in traffic.
Raphael crossed to join us. “Problem?”
I gave him a half-smile, trying not to betray how the sight of him on full, stern bodyguard duty gave me a fever. “I’d like to leave.”
Instantly, he turned to the exit. “I’ll check the hall. Will can ready the cars.”
Riss muttered something I didn’t catch, but it didn’t matter. Raphael’s readiness enabled mine. Without waiting for Riss, I strode out.
People milled about the corridor, as always, interested glances coming my way. I didn’t pay them any mind, happy to be going. In the middle of my protection team, I trotted along, a bounce coming back to my step. Some party girl I was when I had the joy of going home.
Out of the lift, we took on the broad corridor that led to a quieter staff exit of the stadium. But ahead, a side door opened and a rush of people came out.
As one, my bodyguards halted and tightened their huddle around me.
The crowd were from some sort of corporate event from the suits and ties, but many were obviously drunk and laughing loudly. The mass came our way. With our exit beyond them, we had nowhere else to go.
Raphael said something into their comms system I couldn’t hear, and Riss replied. We started moving again, and the crowd of people surged around us. The space that was usually left around me condensed until I almost bumped into Riss at the head of our group.
More people flooded out of the room, heading deeper into the stadium.
They were all around us now, the noise deafening with the low ceiling of the corridor.
“It’s the fucking princess,” someone called.
Dozens of faces swivelled my way, and people repeated my name.
Instantly, I switched on a smile. A sour expression would hit the headlines far faster than any other.
“Oi, oi, princess. Where’s the carriage?” a man joked.
“Buy me a pint. You’re good for it,” added another to a roar of laughter.
My team pushed on, Will and Johnnie on my left and right drifting ahead of me a fraction. It left space for the crowd to get close. Mild panic sank over me. Just like I didn’t enjoy public speaking, crowds scared me. There was too much opportunity for individuals to do something rash. To make a play to entertain their friends.
Then sure fingers wrapped around mine, and Raphael brought me against his body. He was much taller than me and broader, so I was instantly surrounded by him.Safe.To any onlooker, it was just a bodyguard protecting his principal.
To me, it was doing something strange to my nervous system.
The fear left me. All I knew was his touch.