Page 115 of Scandal Queen

His burning gaze rested on my face and then his face fell, the mask he’d worn for hours slipped away and the man I knew better than anything stood back before me again.

“I want to go home.”

I nodded. “Let’s go home.”

I pulled the curtain back over the window, hoping that the people would be willing to wait the night so that tomorrow maybe a new day could find us all.

Twenty-Seven

“So Bella is gone?” Daisy’s eyes were wide and blue. Nana watched me carefully from the other sofa. “She won’t be back?”

I shook my head. “No, sweetie. Do you remember the story I told you about my mummy and what happened to her? It’s kind of the same but not quite.”

“Daddy must be so sad.”

“Oh, sweetie, he really is. He’s gone up to the palace now to see his mummy and daddy, but I wanted to wait with you so I could tell you myself. Everyone is very sad today. Bella not being here, none of us expected it.”

Daisy frowned. “What does it mean when you expect something?”

I paused and considered this. “I guess it’s when you know something is coming so you are prepared for it.”

“You always say people expect things from Daddy.”

I nodded. “And they do. You see they expect certain things from him. They want him to be a certain way, to do certain things, and he has to meet those expectations.”

She nodded. “But no one expected Bella to die?”

“No, that’s what you call the unexpected and it can happen at any time.” I gathered her tight into my arms, breathing in the scent of her hair. I remembered all too well the day it had nearly happened to me.

“Pops, he must be so sad too. He won’t want to ride horses with me today.”

I thought of the man frozen in stone who sat staring at the closed curtains yesterday. “I don’t think so.”

“Shall I come and give him a hug? He likes my cuddles; he says I smell like strawberry jam.”

“You do smell like strawberry jam.” Once again, I filled my head with her scent. “But I’m going to leave you here with Nana and if I can I’ll call you up to the palace later.” I knew it wouldn’t happen, but I couldn’t deal with the whole truth.

I had no idea what the palace would be like today.

Part of me wanted to run and hide and never find out, but then I looked at those four diamonds that had started the week of controversy that ended in tragedy and I knew I had to go up there.

I kissed Daisy’s head and stood from the sofa. Vanessa lingered in the doorway to the bedroom. I guess I wouldn’t be passing her along to Bella now. The thought threatened to pull me away.

In my life I’d seen some shit. In those blasted flats. At Bright Futures. Even in King’s hospital when I thought I’d lost Daisy.

The thought of not seeing Bella again, it pulled down deep in my chest like a firebird had lost its wings one too many times and now sat in a cage it could no longer escape.

But then Bella hadn’t been able to escape. For one minute she’d not been able to face the future she’d been given, and she’d acted on it. No note. No explanation.

Just gone.

I glanced at Daisy. I sure as fuck wasn’t going to let that life come anywhere near my daughter.

“I’ve left you a choice of outfits. I believe there will be visitors today. The Prime Minister is on his way with the leader of the opposition to give their condolences to the King.” Vanessa waved at the bed and then left me to it.

Jesus, did they need to come today? Couldn’t they send flowers and a card?

“Okay.” I said to the closed door. “Okay.”