Cassie gripped her mug of morning tea, cornflakes getting soggy in the bowl as she sat riveted to the TV. Pictures of several buildings blazing fire and smoke filled the screen. Sirens blared while firefighters ran hoses and sprayed water from every possible angle. A reporter stood at a safe distance.
“The fire began in the rear of the building. It spread quickly and as you can see, it now encompasses the whole block. Everyone managed to get out, and as far as we know, no one was injured. The only casualty of this disastrous fire is the royal wedding dress. No word has yet come from the palace as to what they will do. But with the wedding in three days, time is running out.”
“That’s awful,” Cassie said. “Will the visit go ahead today? Surely they have more important things to worry about now.”
“They’re just talking about it.” Danny nodded to the TV.
“One thing the palace has confirmed is that Prince Edwin and Lady Rebekah’s visit to Headley Cross today is continuing as planned. The couple are said to be looking forward to dedicating the new library and don’t want to disappoint the people who are coming out to meet them.”
“Brave woman. Not sure I’d do that if it were my dress just gone up in flames. Speaking of which…is the shop safe?”
“Relax sis, its fine. Nate rang after you fell asleep last night. They have Miss Wickham in custody. She’s not a threat to you or Jack or Lara anymore. Now you two need to talk and sort things out.”
“We’ll be doing that this afternoon after the visit.”
****
Cassie shifted from one foot to the other, standing outside the store with Jack. The streets were crowded as everyone waited to see the royal couple. The fire in London was still burning, although finally under control. Cassie glanced up at Lara. She sat happily on Jack’s shoulders, waving her union flag and practicing her cheering. “She’s having fun up there. Thank you for letting her come. I wasn’t sure you’d want her out today.”
Jack kept his hands firmly around Lara’s ankles. “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. She’s not the only one having fun. I don’t know about you, but I have never seen royalty up close before. And it’s not like she’s out of my sight.”
“Yeah. How did the school take you not sending her today?”
“They understood. I told them she’d go back after the holidays which start tomorrow, anyway. Although I’m tempted to find her a new school.”
“They won’t make the same mistake twice, Jack. In fact, security will be tighter now than before.”
“They’re coming! I can see the car!” Lara squealed.
“Keep still,” Jack laughed. “Or you’ll fall off.”
Lara concentrated on waving as police and protective service agents began moving up the street ahead of the royal couple.
It was all Cassie could do not to stifle the silly grin on her face. Butterflies filled her stomach and every nerve she possessed tingled. As much as she wished they’d stop and say hello, panic filled her at the prospect. Her voice dried in her throat, and she had no idea what to say if they did. Which they wouldn’t—would they?
“Put me down.” Lara squirmed as they got closer. “I want to give her my flowers.”
“Honey, I explained that…”
“If I don’t twy, she’ll never get them. Pwease Daddy…”
Jack lowered her to the ground.
She took the flowers from Cassie and gave her the flag.
Jack put his hands on Lara’s shoulders as she pressed against the railings holding her posy of flowers as far forward as she could.
Cassie watched as they grew closer. The prince was so much like his mother and every inch the soldier and future king. Her main impression was how solid and real they looked and so much taller than on television. They really were a striking couple.
Lady Rebekah spotted Lara hanging over the railing and moved over to her. She smiled. “Hello.”
Lara held out the flowers. “These are for you.”
“Thank you. They’re pretty.” Lady Rebekah took them and smiled.
“I’m sowwy your dwess got burned.”
Cassie noticed the prince put a hand on his fiancée’s shoulder.
The protection officers in their dark suits and shades moved closer.
“So am I,” Lady Rebekah replied.
“Will you get a new one?”
“I hope so. Otherwise I’ll be getting married in this one.”
“You should see the dwess Auntie Cassie made. It’s weally pwetty. She made it to celebwate your wedding.” She pointed behind her. “Do you want to come and see?”
Lady Rebekah looked at the store front and then looked at the prince.
They spoke quietly for a moment before the prince turned and spoke to the security officers.
“I’d like that, but you’ll need to show the police officers first.” Lady Rebekah smiled at Lara. “Is that OK?”
“Sure.” Lara nodded. “It’s wight over there.”
“We’ll be back after we’ve been to the library.” The prince smiled at her.
Cassie looked at Jack, the amazement filling her mirrored in the look on his face. Was this really happening? Maybe she was dreaming.
“Is this real?” Jack asked.
OK, that did it. People in her dreams didn’t ask that kind of question. Oh, Lord, don’t let me mess this up. Showing her is more than I ever imagined. Don’t let me be too tongue-tied. “I think so.”
Lara slid her hand into Jack’s as the protection officers vaulted over the fence. The tall officer towered over her. “Where’s your mummy?”
“I don’t have a mummy. This is my Daddy, but it’s Auntie Cassie’s dwess.”
“That’s me. Cassie Hinton.” Cassie took a deep breath.
“The jockey?” One of the cops looked at her.
“I used to be.”
“Will you come with us, ma’am, sir?”
Cassie walked with them, past the gawking onlookers, into the store.
“Hey. How was the—” Danny looked up, his eyes widening and jaw dropping as several men in black escorted the others in. “Cassie? What have you done, now?”
“Lady Webekah wants to see the dwess.” Lara ran over to him.
“Seriously?” Danny looked from her to Cassie.
“Danny…” Cassie sighed. Now wasn’t the time for his sense of humor. “Just close the shop and pull the blinds.”
****
Half an hour later, she, Jack, and Danny had been thoroughly checked, vetted, and the store swept for bugs, bombs, and paparazzi. It was deemed unfit as there was an alley out the back that was too hard to secure.
Cassie suggested her parent’s house and made a quick call on the protection officer’s secure phone line.
The dress was removed from the window and wrapped carefully.
They set off, via the back entrance, for Cassie’s house.
Her mother was in a flap when they arrived. “The place is a mess. I haven’t vacuumed or dusted…oh, Cassie…” Dorrie pushed her hands through her hair. “I’ve got nothing to feed them.”
“Tea and biscuits will do fine, ma’am.” The lead protection officer smiled. “They really are no different from anyone else.”
Cassie took the dress up to her bedroom, one officer watching her like a hawk. She pulled the curtains closed and laid the garment on the bed.
It was another hour before the royal couple arrived.
Overcome with nerves, which was silly, as she’d met the Queen once at the races, Cassie led Lady Rebekah to the bedroom to show her the dress.
Lara followed.
“Lara,” Jack called, getting up.
“It’s all right, let her go, too.” The prince smiled.
“She’ll be perfectly safe. I’ll see that she behaves,” Cassie said to Jack.
In the bedroom, Lady Rebekah looked at the dress, her eyes widening. “You made this yourself?” Her hand reached out to touch the fabric.
“I drew it when I was twelve, intending to wear it myself. But I never married. So when I was decorating the shop to celebrate your wedding, it seemed a good reason to finally make it.”
“It’s lovely. What size is it?”
“I made it to fit me, so between a twelve and fourteen.”
“Perfect. May I try it on?” Lady Rebekah’s smile widened.
“Of course.”
****
Twenty minutes later, Cassie led the way back to the lounge. She knew she had a stupid grin fixed on her face, but there was nothing she could do.
Lady Rebekah looked beautiful in the dress—as if it had been made for her.
“Well, love?” Prince Edwin stood as they entered the room. He smiled at Lady Rebekah.
“It’s perfect. It doesn’t need much altering at all. And a real answer to prayer.” She turned to look at Cassie. “Could I buy the dress from you? I know it’s yours, but I would like to wear it when I marry Edwin on Friday. There simply isn’t time to have a replacement one made and although Mum offered hers, I would rather my wedding dress be my something new, rather than something old.”
“I…I…” she stuttered. Cassie heard the gasps from around the room. Her cheeks burned. Was this really happening? My dress? My dress is going to be the royal wedding dress?
“How much would you want for it?”
“It only cost two hundred pounds to make. If you’d really like to wear it, then I’d be honored and wouldn’t want any payment for it at all…Your Highness,” she added quickly.
“That’s Edwin, not me.” Lady Rebekah’s light silver laugh broke the awkwardness. “And I don’t think it would fit him, somehow. Although, I would pay to see him in it.” She paused, then smiled at the jest.
Prince Edwin looked askance at his bride, then laughed, too.
Cassie heard titters around the room, then outright guffawing.
Lady Rebekah gave a mischievous smile.
Suddenly, Cassie saw the real person beneath the royalty.
Lady Rebekah had a sense of humor. “Two hundred really isn’t much. What is the real cost?” Lady Rebekah asked, with still twinkling eyes.
“Two hundred is what I spent on fabric and the accessories.” Cassie looked at Danny and then back at Lady Rebekah. “But if you really want it, then it’s yours. I can’t charge you.”
“Hmmm.” Lady Rebekah looked at Prince Edwin.
Cassie marveled at the silent communication they had between them.
“All right. Then how about this? I will pay you cost price for the dress and another three hundred for the time you need to spend altering and fitting it before Friday. That includes coming to London for the wedding itself—to put the final stitch in at the doors of the Abbey. Mum insists I should uphold that tradition, but I’m not sure I want to with the world’s media watching. I will donate the rest of what I would pay for a dress to any charity you wish to name.”
“The…the Abbey?”
“Of course.” Prince Edwin smiled. “Even if we break the final stitch tradition, we’ll need the royal dressmaker on hand, just in case. I understand, not that I know from personal experience, you realize, that high heels and long dresses aren’t always a good combination.”
“I’d be honored.” Cassie looked at Jack and then at her parents and Danny. Then she took a deep breath and turned back to the royal couple. “Thank you.”
“And the charity?”
“One which provides prosthetic limbs. They helped me; it’s only fair I help them in return.”
“Consider it done.” Prince Edwin smiled.