Page 52 of Scandal Queen

“You know I don’t mean that, I can’t even compare anything to that.” I stared at his face. “Oliver, Nana isn’t going to want to come and live at the palace with us, and I can’t really blame her. It doesn’t matter how many rooms you offer her, or whichever way you spin in; she’s an independent woman.”

He nodded slowly. “Like you?”

I shrugged. “Shouldn’t we all be independent?”

“So tell me, Miss Independent, what do you want to do?”

I sighed. “I want to go to work, Ollie, but I know it’s impossible.”

He glared for a moment out of the window and then without talking started the engine.

“You’re cross with me?” My voice had the depth and strength of a mouse.

“No.”

“You are. You want to know why I can’t be a girl who’s desperate to be a princess who wants to be wrapped up in cotton wool and pampered at every turn. Who likes her hair smooth and shiny, and to be photographed in posh frocks at expensive restaurants.”

He eased the car out of the traffic, the last of the reporters were making their way back to their offices, happy with their morning work.

“Say something.” I begged.

“I’m thinking.”

“Where are you taking me then?”

He turned, his face at once frustrated but at the same time filled with an adoration I didn’t think I deserved. “I’m taking you to bloody work.

Paula launched herself at me as soon as I walked through the door. If Ollie hadn’t been stood behind me like a well sculpted brick wall, I’d have been flat on my arse.

“Leia, I thought you’d left us forever.”

“As if.” I squeezed her back as hard as I could while stupid tears prickled my eyelashes. I dashed at my face with the back of my hand. “Don’t say anything.” I warned. Oliver’s hand rubbed a circle on my back, so I shook my emotions off. I didn’t want him to think I hated moving in with him any more than he did, because truthfully I didn’t. I just missed my friends.

“Bloody hell, Leia.” Molly looked up from her computer. “You find yourself a trillionaire boyfriend and we still can’t get you to stop coming in. When are we going to convince you that your marketing skills suck?”

“Bite me,” I said and then I started to cry, great big splodging tears all down my face.

Good that I kept my emotions on the downplay.

“So, life at the palace huh?” Janine looked at me over her mug of tea. “At least they sorted your hair out.”

“Hey, what was wrong with my hair?”

Molly snorted but didn’t say anything while Janine pushed the paper that had been folded on her desk towards me.

“Seriously, Leia, you look amazing here. Why am I not surprised you’re the one breaking royal protocol?”

I scrunched my face at the picture of Oliver and I smooching in eveningwear. “I mean, who has a no kissing rule?”

“The King and Queen…” Janine took a sip of her tea. “Come on then, tell me what’s wrong.”

“Nothing’s wrong. I just miss you guys.”

“You miss us, or you miss doing something useful?”

“Bit of both. There aren’t that many people to gossip with at the palace.” I glanced at Molly and pursed my lips, overcome by another word stealing wave of emotion.

“Do you know how many charities there are in this city?” Janine placed her mug down and leant across her desk.