Page 17 of Scandal Queen

More than likely.

“Best not to mention we have the prince upstairs to the doctor?” I said as the doorbell rang.

“It can be our secret.” Daisy giggled.

Luckily, Doctor Fenwick didn’t stay long. He quickly checked Daisy over, marvelled about how quickly children bounced back and told us to carry on doing what we were doing, making sure she didn’t get overtired.

“Could we go to the beach though?”

“Yes of course. It’s only a short walk. Just don’t build too many sandcastles okay, Daisy?”

“Okay.”

I walked Doctor Fenwick to the door.

“I know you’ll be worrying but she’s doing fine. You have my number if you need it. Just makes sure she doesn’t overdo it.”

“Thank you.” I closed the door feeling a sigh of relief that Daisy was doing well.

I could sense Ollie as soon as he walked in the kitchen, despite his quiet footsteps. His gaze burned and I realised a moment too late he must have been on the stairs and heard what I said to Daisy. I met his stare and gave him a small smile and a shrug.

Sign me up for the bonkers, because I’m all down with that now.

“Come. Let’s go and get some breakfast.” He motioned us towards the front door which lead to the public, and people, and gossip.

“Breakfast? It’s almost lunchtime.” I laughed. Us all staying up watching Disney movies meant we’d lain in until mid-morning.

“Brunch then.”

“What about your team?” I asked.

He shrugged, but his face seemed to be holding a dark and deep emotion I couldn’t quite name. “I’ll take my chances. For you.”

We watched one another until Daisy broke the spell. “Well we can’t go out in our pj’s. Mummy, you know the no pj rule in public.”

I snorted loudly. “That’s the only rule that can’t be broken.”

“What? Well no one said anything like that to me! I’ve got my best button up Grandad pj’s in my bag,” Oliver exclaimed, throwing his hands up in the air. Daisy giggled as she stared at his jeans and T-shirt. Although I’m pretty sure she wasn’t looking at what held my attention under the soft material.

“So we are going out there?” I asked. “I don’t want you to be in danger though.”

He grinned. “Yep. Without Bill. What will he say?” His smile fell when he read my concern. “As you said, this isn’t London. What’s going to happen? Will some fishermen lynch me with their fishing nets?”

I chuckled and edged past him, trying to get back to the stairs where I could find some clothes that weren’t flannelette with Tweetie Pie on them. He caught me, reeling me into a hug. “I love you, Princess Leia.”

I kissed him back knowing that if anything I’d ever done should be the right thing, this was it. “And I love you, Your Highness.”

The bell to the little shop couldn’t have rung any louder to announce our arrival. Daisy pelted for the magazines, a sure sign her health had improved. She’d be sticking and cutting Disney Princesses all over the place soon. Next to the magazines were the piles of daily papers. I allowed my gaze to fall on them for one moment. The broadsheets had given up on us already. A drama in Parliament turned their attention to far more newsworthy items. The tabloids though still had a picture of me. Actually, Oliver and I, dancing at his thirtieth birthday ball. Back then I’d thought our simple and innocent dance would stop people talking. Now I knew these things, once captured, were never forgotten. I didn’t want to look at it too long, but I did take a moment just to revel in the view of his hand on the bottom of my spine; it looked sexy. He’d been able to control me with his touch alone almost since the moment we’d met. My face was away from the camera, but I could all too easily remember the way my body had scorched as his hand touched my skin. The kiss that had come later that night had changed everything.

“Are you recalling my foxtrot skills?” he whispered in my ear.

“I’m thinking about your birthday present.” I glanced at him over my shoulder. In the small shop, filled with every convenience under the sun, as well as a large volume of Cornish biscuits, he’d never looked more beautiful. More different from the rest of us mere mortals. Nothing to do with the expensive navy wool jumper, or the dark jeans. Or the fact his hair, tangled into waves flopped over his forehead. Or that the light hanging from the ceiling of the shop illuminated his freckles. But just because he was something else. Something other than normal. He made me breathless.

“What can I get you?” The woman behind the till turned from where she was unpacking a cardboard box. She blinked and then she blinked again. While I waited for her to either fall to the floor, or launch herself to the phone to call someone, anyone, she could tell, she pulled herself together. “What will you both be needing today?”

Oliver stepped over and held out his hand for her to shake. “Good morning…”

He paused and waited for her to add, “Sandra.”