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Thankful.
I can do that.
Edward’s talking. The music has stopped, the chatter in the room too. The waiting staff are handing out glasses of champagne and everyone is listening to Edward’s deep, resonating tone. And then he’s looking right at me, his hand reaching out...
‘Ladies and gentlemen, Princesses and Princes, Knights and—’
‘Fairies!’ a little girl shouts, and he chuckles.
‘And fairies... Please put your hands together for the woman who made all this possible: Summer Evans.’
I step towards him, accepting a glass of champagne from a passing waitress on autopilot.
‘Do fetch me the sick bucket, Rupert.’
My step falters, my fingers tremble around the glass.
Ignore her...she’s just acting out...don’t look...
‘Hush, darling, people will hear.’
‘You think I care?’
I tighten my hold on my drink and drown out Edward’s parents with the look in his eye. The warmth, the admiration...
Camera flashes go off as I take the microphone and I’m reminded of the press there amongst the masses.
‘You’ve got this,’ he whispers in my ear as I take his place and plaster on the biggest, warmest of smiles.
‘Thank you, my Prince.’
I swear I hear his mother scoff, but I can’t really—not from this distance. I take in my audience and focus on the children...focus on the child I once was...
‘Thank you all for coming.’ I raise my glass in salute. ‘When I took on this challenge a month ago, I have to be honest, I wasn’t sure I could pull it off. But Katherine’s name opened a lot of doors, just as she opened many of our hearts—including mine. I also had her encouraging voice in my ear, telling me I could do anything I set my mind to. There weren’t many people willing to take on the challenge I presented as a child, but she did. She welcomed me into her home, gave me a safe space to live, to learn, to love and to grow. She believed her purpose in life was to give to others what they otherwise wouldn’t have—to help children become the best possible version of themselves. Without her, I don’t know where I’d be now...’
A scuffle to my left draws my attention, but I can’t see through the spotlight that’s been placed on me. I’m very much centre stage, and Edward’s vanished.
I hurry on before my silence draws attention. ‘To have this opportunity now, to continue Katherine’s good work, in her name, means the absolute world. And I don’t say that lightly. Thank you so much for your generosity this evening—your donations have surpassed our highest hopes. To the band, the caterers, the staff...thank you for such an amazing evening. This Princess couldn’t be prouder. And to all the guests, kids and adults alike, please continue to enjoy the evening. It is our absolute pleasure to entertain you here at Glenrobin. May we do this all again next year! To the children!’
I raise my glass to the crowd and they do the same to me, their cheers resounding off the walls...
Wow.I breathe it all in and know the moment will stay with me for ever.
I return the microphone to the band leader, and when I turn back people are rushing forward to talk to me, to thank me, to congratulate me. It’s fabulous, wonderful, but where’s Edward? I want him by my side. I want him to share in this.
A reporter steps forward. ‘Miss Evans? How about a photo of you with some of the children?’
‘Yes. Yes. Of course.’
But I’m scanning the crowd, peering through the gaps and over the heads. And then I see him. With his parents. His mother’s animated, her face full of colour, her eyes blazing even from across the distance, and Edward...
If looks could kill.
‘Just here, Miss Evans.’
‘Huh?’
It’s the reporter, gesturing to where she has a few of the kids gathered, all with excited grins and a definite sugar-high shining in their faces.
