Page 172 of The Love Letter

Simon told him.

‘Tonight has only proved to me what I already know. Zoe, you can’t continue to stay here. I’m moving you into the palace immediately, where at least you’ll be safe.’ Art put together his knife and fork. ‘That was delicious, by the way. Now, do excuse me, ladies. I must use the facilities.’

Joanna and Zoe watched him leave the dining room.

‘So, what do you think?’ Zoe asked.

‘Of what?’

‘Art, of course! You’re awfully jumpy tonight, Jo. You hardly said a word over dinner. Are you okay?’

‘Yes, sorry, just tired, that’s all. I think your prince is . . . very nice.’

‘Really? You don’t sound convinced,’ Zoe said with a frown.

‘Well, he’s a bit . . . royal and everything, but that’s not his fault,’ Joanna said distractedly.

‘He is, isn’t he?’ She laughed uncertainly. ‘I . . . I’m really just not sure anymore,’ she whispered.

‘Why?’

‘Oh, I don’t know.’

‘Is there someone else?’ Joanna decided to give her hunch a whirl. She had already seen the way Zoe had looked at Simon tonight.

‘Yes . . . there might be, but I’m not sure he’s very keen on me.’

‘Well, I don’t know who’ll be more disappointed if you end it: Art or your gallant protector,’ Joanna said lightly.

‘What do you mean?’

Joanna glanced at her watch nervously. ‘I . . . er, nothing. Simon is very fond of you.’

‘Really?’ There was a light in Zoe’s eyes.

‘Yes, and I think you should follow your heart. I only wish now I’d had more time with Marcus. Don’t waste any of yours,’ Joanna whispered in her ear as Art reappeared. ‘Right, my turn to pop to the bathroom. I’ll be back in a second.’

Joanna’s eyes filled with unprompted tears as she stood up, gave Zoe a last glance, then disappeared from the room.

Monica signalled to Simon, who was stationed behind the dining-room door, as Joanna passed her in the hall and went up the stairs. He nodded and picked up his mobile.

‘Now, sir.’

Locked in the bathroom, Joanna feverishly dialled Steve’s number.

‘It’s me. I’ll be out in two minutes. Get the bike ready, okay? And just don’t hang around to ask questions.’

She’d just unlocked the bathroom door when she heard the sirens wailing and a voice booming out of a megaphone.

‘This is the police. We have a bomb alert in Welbeck Street. Would all residents leave their homes immediately. I repeat, would all resi—’

Joanna banged her knuckles against the wall in despair. ‘Shit! Shit! Shit!’

Simon appeared in the dining room. ‘We need to leave now, Your Royal Highness, Miss Harrison, please.’

‘What is it? What’s happened?’ Zoe asked as she stood up.

‘What’s going on out there?’ asked the Duke irritably.