After we each reviewed our individual scripts for a few minutes, we began to have our first rehearsal. We didn’t have a stage yet. The actors in the scene just stood in the center of the ballroom with everyone else gathered around in front. We did a dry run through the entire play with Nathan doin
The next morning, Julian showed up at my door. I had only just changed out of my pajamas. Elva was still in hers. “I want to escort you to breakfast,” he said. I blinked. “Breakfast?” Usually the royal family avoided breakfasts and lunches with the candidates, unless there was an event. The meal
She was probably used to rubbing elbows with celebrities. But polite manners were polite manners. I was suddenly very annoyed on Julian’s behalf. Maybe it was time I really lean into this and give this fake relationship my all. I leaned forward again. “Bridget?” Bridget stopped talking to Ol
That night, I left Elva with the nanny, and met with Nicholas, Julian, and Veronica in one of the sitting rooms. “Why are we meeting here?” I asked as I entered the room. “Wouldn’t it be easier to meet near the royal family wing?” “It would be, if that’s where Joyce was,” Julian said. I blinke
Veronica was still quiet. I wished I could give her a hug, but I didn’t want to disturb her train of thought. She had personally asked me to come with her. “I don’t need you to do anything,” she had said then. Her eyes had been downcast, like she was embarrassed to be asking for help. “But I wou
“Maid! Oh, where is my maid!” Bridget called from the center of the ballroom that was once again our makeshift stage. The real stage was currently being worked on at the far end of the room. Occasionally the sound of hammers or saws would cut through our rehearsal. Bridget said my cue, so I’m forc
Gently, I knocked on Susie’s door. It was already partially opened. When I knocked, the door pushed farther inward. Susie was resting in bed. Nicholas was standing beside the bed, speaking with her. I had just watched the doctor leave before I knocked. Susie saw me and waved me closer. As I follow
I rubbed my own forehead, the questions making my head ache. I could only imagine what Susie was going through. “You have to tell Mark,” I said, because that should be the starting point. Mark was half to blame here, so he should carry half the burden of whatever happens next. “I agree,” Nichola