Page 29 of Trained Royal

Kieren nodded. “I don’t have the clearance for it, I’m told.”

“That’s stupid.” Patrick headed over to the bag he’d brought in with him and left just inside the door. He grabbed his phone and dialled. “Hey, Christian.”

“Hi, are you okay?”

“Yeah, good, thanks. Listen, can Kieren have a copy of the list of locations?”

“I don’t see why not. I’ll need to clear it with Neil, but as he’s integral to our security, I can’t see it being a problem. Why?”

Patrick stared at Kieren. “Just another pair of eyes, really. And a hunch.”

“I’m happy for any and all hunches. Let me contact Neil, and I’ll call you right back.”

“All right.” Christian hung up, and Patrick wandered over to Kieren, still holding the phone. “He’s going to call back in a minute.”

Kieren shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. “As easy as that?”

“It all depends on your background check.” Patrick winked.

“We’re in trouble, then,” Kieren joked. “I knew I shouldn’t have stolen that creme egg when I was twelve.” He swallowed some water from his bottle, and Patrick watched his Adam’s apple bob before his phone distracted him. He put it to his ear.

“Hey.”

“Okay, Neil says it’s fine. I’ve let Brett know to include Kieren in the need-to-know information now. It shouldn’t be a problem in the future. I’ve already sent it to the email address Brett has for him. He will need the password that I’ve sent to his phone. Ask him to only open the document on a computer, not his phone.”

“Will do. Thanks, Christian.”

“Anytime. I have to go because we’ve just arrived at the hospital.”

“Okay. Enjoy yourselves, and say hello to the rascals from me.” Patrick grinned, remembering the boys and girls at the Children’s Hospital when he visited last time.

Christian chuckled. “I will. Bye.”

Patrick locked his phone. “Christian says he’s emailed the document to you, but you must open it on a computer, not your phone, and you’ll need the password, which he’s sent to you.”

Kieren stared at him for a moment. “I can’t believe that’s all it took.”

Patrick stepped closer. “They trust you.Itrust you. Why shouldn’t it be that easy?”

He didn’t answer, and Patrick moved another step closer. And another. Until they were toe-to-toe, his gaze never wavering. “I trust you,” Patrick whispered. “Do you trust me?”

“With my life,” Kieren replied.

“With your body?” Kieren nodded. “With your mind?” Kieren nodded. Patrick lowered his voice. “With your heart?”

Kieren froze. Patrick had pushed too hard. He stepped back and smiled. “We can work on that.” He changed the subject. “Are we training today?”

Latching onto the new topic, Kieren put Patrick through the motions, then sent him on his way with a reminder that if he wanted to leave to let him know. Patrick wouldn’t make that mistake again. He refused to jeopardise Kieren’s job.

He strode for the room he had at Windsor whenever he stayed for a visit and showered and changed. Then he picked up his phone and called his father.

“Patrick! How are you?”

He settled into a chair by the window, staring out into the bright October day and watching as the tourists wandered around the gardens.

“Good morning, Father. I’m well. How are you?”

A creak sounded over the line, and he imagined his father leaning back, resting his elbow on the arm of the chair as he held the phone to his ear. It was an image that he’d seen many times as a child and had stayed with him over the years.