Christmas at the Palace

by Jeevani Charika

  Amma laughed. ‘It’s like that with big families. Everyone in everyone else’s business.’ Amma had come from a large family, but since she had been estranged from her family for a long time, Kumari didn’t know many of them. ‘You know,’ Amma added. ‘It does get harder the older you get . . .’

  ‘Not you too.’ Kumari groaned. She wasn’t really annoyed. She expected it from Amma.

  ‘Well, you are my only hope of having a grandchild.’ Amma smiled at her over the rim of the coffee mug.

  Kumari didn’t answer for a second and looked thoughtfully at the rings on her hands.

  ‘Is it that you’re scared? Or does Ben want to wait?’ said Amma.

  ‘Oh, Ben would love to have kids. He wants to have about three. But it’s a big thing. I dunno, I felt like I needed a bit more time to get used to things before . . .’ She sighed.

  Amma rubbed her shoulder. ‘I understand,’ she said. ‘But there’s never really a good time to have kids.’

  ‘So now’s as bad a time as any other?’

  ‘Something like that.’ Amma pulled her closer so that she could plant a kiss on the top of Kumari’s head. She released her and took a sip of coffee. ‘So, is that it? Or is something else bothering you?’

  Ah, Amma. She always knew when something was up. Kumari explained about the Boost Her! initiative. Amma listened carefully. ‘So . . . you can’t offer to fund them directly, in case someone finds out. You can’t publicly state your support unless it’s in very general terms. You can’t publicly criticise the funding body . . . it does limit your options a bit.’

  ‘The queen effectively warned me not to do anything stupid, so I can’t break any of the rules at the moment,’ she said. ‘It’s very frustrating.’

  ‘Is there any way you could help . . . off the record? Maybe mention it casually to someone with money who might take a hint and step in? Someone who’s not a royal. Would that be possible?’

  She thought about it. ‘It would . . . except I don’t really know anyone well enough to be able to be subtle about it. Maybe I should talk to Ophelia. She knows everyone.’

  ‘I’m sure there will be someone,’ said Amma. ‘You’re doing a lot for a lot of people,’ she added kindly. ‘Sometimes, you can’t save them all.’

  ‘I know,’ said Kumari. ‘But I have to try.’

  *

  Ophelia phoned just before lunch. ‘Are they there? Can I come round yet?’

  Kumari looked at her parents. Amma was chatting to Ben about something that required them to draw diagrams. She dreaded to think what that was about. Thatha was sitting on the sofa, reading a book. It was a scene of calm and tranquillity. Adding Ophelia would blow that apart. On the other hand, Thatha would be delighted to see Ophelia.

  ‘They’re here,’ she said.

  ‘Fabboo,’ said Ophelia. ‘I’ll be there in two ticks.’

  ‘Have you eaten?’ said Kumari, even though she knew the answer.

  ‘Oh no. I’ll have lunch at yours.’ The line clicked and the connection was lost.

  Kumari shook her head and hung up. ‘Ophelia’s coming for lunch,’ she told Ben.

  ‘That’s fine,’ said Ben. ‘It’ll stretch.’

  He thought nothing of his sisters showing up at random times and inviting themselves to dinner. That must be what it was like to have brothers and sisters. Kumari thought about Ben’s comment: ‘She’s reminding us that we have each other.’ They did. Whatever differences there were between them, if one of them needed something, the entire family would close ranks around them.

  Kumari went to the window and looked outside. The snow was coming down heavily now and had settled in a layer several inches thick on the windowsill. Through the white, she could see the glowing windows in the rest of Kensington Palace. She was part of this family now. And if she and Ben had children, they would be too. Maybe . . .

  A sudden gust of wind threw a squall of snow hard against the window, making her jump. Goodness, it was getting wild out there. She hoped Lucy’s flight had got off on time. She sent a quick text wishing her a safe journey.

  The reply arrived almost instantly. The airport is in total chaos. Flights cancelled. No accommodation. Should give up and make my way back to the flat, but scared of getting stranded somewhere on the way. Lucy.’

  Kumari frowned. The Land Rover that brought her parents here was still there. There would be a driver around too.

  ‘Ben,’ she said. ‘Can I have a quick word?’

  Ben excused himself and joined her. ‘What’s up?’

  She showed him the text from Lucy.

  ‘We can’t leave her there,’ he said. ‘Let’s send a car and get her home.’

  Kumari thought of Lucy returning to the empty flat, where she’d have depleted the fridge and turned down the heating. ‘I hate to think of her in the flat all alone. Do you think we could invite her here?’

  He smiled. ‘Since we’ve already got your parents and my sister, we may as well add Lucy into the mix. I’m sure we can fit another person in the apartments.’

  ‘That’s exactly what I was thinking,’ said Kumari. She was about to dial Ben’s PA, when she remembered that Sinead was supposed to be flying out today too. She texted Sinead. Did you make your flight? Or are you stuck in the airport? Which airport?

  When the reply came, it said that Sinead was in the same airport, but at a different terminal. ‘Ben,’ she said. ‘Can we fit in Sinead too?’

  Ben laughed. ‘Sure, why not!’

  She texted Sinead.

  Am sending a car to get you. Will give you a time to meet them. Hang tight.

  Her phone rang. It was Sinead.

  ‘You don’t need to do that, ma’am. I’m sure the flights will start again soon. It’s your family time,’ Sinead said, speaking really fast.

  ‘Don’t be silly,’ said Kumari. ‘I can’t leave you stuck there in this. There’s plenty of room here.’

  ‘But I can’t possibly. It wouldn’t be right.’

  ‘Sinead. It’s my house. I get to say what’s right.’

  There was a small snuffling sound at the other end of the line.

  ‘Sinead?’

  ‘Yes, ma’am. Thank you.’

  She told Sinead to await instructions of where to meet the car and hung up.

  She answered Ben’s quizzical look with, ‘She’s coming.’

  He grinned.

  ‘How about your team?’ she said. ‘Anyone likely to be stranded in an airport?’

  He thought about it for a minute, then shook his head. ‘No. Most of them were already off and the others are all local, so no, they should be fine. Any other waifs and strays you want to invite over?’

  She couldn’t think of anyone else who might not be somewhere safe and warm. She made a few phone calls and arranged for Lucy and Sinead to be picked up.

  A few minutes later, Ophelia swept in. ‘Hello, hello,’ she said. She held up some bags, one of which clinked. ‘I’ve brought things for your party.’

  ‘Who said we were having a party?’ said Ben.

  ‘Well, I’m here, so it will be one anyway,’ said Ophelia, waving a hand. ‘Hello, Mr and Mrs Senavaka. How lovely to see you.’ She bestowed kisses on cheeks. ‘I read that book you recommended, Mr Senavaka. Fascinating.’

  Kumari watched her father smile and murmur, ‘Please call me Sena.’ He had been thrilled to find out that Ophelia’s English Literature degree had been more than a formality and that she was happy to discuss poetry with him for hours.

  ‘I suppose I should go and check if there’s enough food to stretch to two extra people for tonight,’ said Ben.

  Amma’s head came up. ‘Extra people?’

  Ben rolled his eyes. ‘Kumari’s just invited a couple of people who were stranded in the airports to come and stay until this blizzard is over and the skies reopen. So we’ll have more to feed than I expected.’

  ‘Oh shut up, you love it,’ said Ophelia.

&nbs
p; Cooking was Ben’s hobby. Having extra people to appreciate his creations was never going to be a problem.

  ‘Come on, grumpy, I’ll help you,’ said Kumari. She and Amma followed him into the kitchen. Within minutes he and Amma were discussing ways to stretch the menu. In the living room Thatha and Ophelia settled into a discussion about poetry. Kumari leant against the doorway between the rooms and smiled.

  Chapter 38

  The Standard Times

  Storm Humphrey hits Britain with a Vengeance

  The country has woken up to a post-Christmas whiteout with heavy snowfall overnight. There are reports of up to three feet of snow in some areas of the north. There is widespread disruption on the railways and roads. Police are warning people to avoid travelling if at all possible.

  Air traffic is also disrupted due to high winds and blizzard conditions. Many hundreds of travellers spent a miserable night trapped in airports as flights were cancelled and the airport hotels filled up. As the airport retailers ran out of food, several enterprising local establishments were given permission to set up ‘pop up’ food outlets. Local church groups have rallied to provide stranded travellers with blankets and shelter.

  It is hoped that the bad weather will ease up during the course of the day and that there will be opportunity to clear snow from the roads so that people can travel home. The Environment Agency has warned that in a few days, when the snow melts, there is a risk of flooding and has warned people in flood-risk areas to prepare their houses for such an eventuality.

  Foreday News

  What’s next for Kumari, the Duchess of Westbury?

  What a year it’s been. First there was the fairy-tale romance of the prince who fell for the humanitarian doctor, then the incredible wedding, and now Kumari is changing the traditions of the royal family by being the first royal wife who didn’t attend the traditional Boxing Day shoot.

  Kumari, who from day one has been vocal in her support for women’s rights and better prospects for girls, is a breath of fresh air. While the Princesses Helena and Ophelia are respected and revered, Kumari embodies an ‘everywoman’. She did the things we did. Dreamed the dreams we dreamed. She could have been any one of us. Seeing the love between her and the prince gives us all hope for a brighter future.

  The inclusion of Kumari in the royal line-up is changing the world’s view of Britain. The shadow of the empire is lifting. The lady herself has done much to increase the diversity within palace walls. Her dresser, Sinead Cho, is half-Chinese. Her assistant, Annie Shah, is Kenyan. Her clothes are often made by designers of BAME backgrounds.

  Next year, Kumari and Prince Benedict will undertake a tour of the Commonwealth, presenting the new face of the monarchy to the world. We are so looking forward to what they achieve.

  Photo caption: That photo from the wedding. Prince Benedict rests his forehead against his wife’s as they share a private joke. Have you ever seen a couple more in love?

  In the end there were nine people at the meal. One of Ophelia’s friends had walked from Paddington Station where all the trains had been cancelled and Edwin, one of the cousins, who was staying in one of the other wings, had tracked them down and been invited in. Edwin helped Lucy work out how to extend the dining table while Kumari and Sinead hunted down extra tablecloths and napkins. The apartment was well supplied for entertaining, but Kumari still didn’t know where everything was kept. She could have called whoever was covering housekeeping for Louise, but decided it was better to do it herself.

  Ophelia had located the most important implement, the corkscrew, and was making sure everyone had a glass of something. Ophelia’s friend, Wendy, a red-haired girl with an infectious laugh, was looking through Ben and Kumari’s music collection. The whole place was full of noise and bustle in a way that it had never been before. It made the place feel warm and alive. Kumari realised that this was how the place was meant to be. Bustling. Full of voices and laughter. That was what made it home.

  She came into the dining room, carrying two large tablecloths, to find that the table now took up most of the room. Ben shouted in from the kitchen that there were spare chairs in a cupboard in another room. Edwin went off to find them. Wendy finally settled on a CD of Bing Crosby singing Christmas songs. Kumari sang along as she, Lucy and Sinead sorted out the table.

  ‘How much cutlery do you people own?’ said Lucy, looking into the wide drawer. Kumari joined her. The cutlery was held in a purpose-built, extra-wide drawer. There were regular forks, salad forks, meat forks, fish forks, dessert forks and even garnish forks. Kumari knew the names and uses of all of these, thanks to the comprehensive etiquette lessons. Eating was an important part of diplomacy.

  ‘I think we’ll go for the simplest setting,’ she said, grabbing a handful. ‘A knife, a fork, a dessert spoon.’

  ‘Which is the dessert spoon?’ said Lucy, staring at the neatly sorted selection of spoons.

  Kumari pointed them out. ‘Can you grab some teaspoons too,’ she said. ‘Those are the small ones,’ she added with a grin.

  ‘I know that!’ Lucy grinned back.

  They moved down the table together, setting the places.

  ‘I’ve missed this,’ Kumari said. ‘You know, just hanging out with you.’

  ‘Aw. I’ve missed you too,’ said Lucy. ‘The new housemate is nice and all, but nowhere near as much fun as you.’

  ‘It’s a shame things didn’t go any further with you and Rhodri,’ said Kumari. ‘That would have been so cool if my best friend was with Ben’s best friend. We could have gone on holiday together or something.’

  Lucy pulled a face. ‘I’m not sure that would be such a great idea. Rhodri’s sweet, but that was just a best man and bridesmaid thing. We’re not exactly made for each other.’ She smiled. ‘I think we both realised that at the same time. It’s all good. We’re friends.’

  ‘That’s good,’ said Kumari. ‘I haven’t seen Rhodri in ages. I keep inviting him round, but he never takes us up on it.’

  ‘Are you talking about Rhodri Ellesmere-Jones?’ said Sinead shyly.

  ‘Yes, why?’ said Kumari.

  ‘Um . . .’

  ‘Sinead, if you have gossip, you have to share it with me,’ said Kumari. ‘Please.’

  Sinead glanced over her shoulder. ‘Well, the rumour is that he used to have a huge crush on Princess Ophelia. He asked her out once, apparently, when he was about eighteen and she thought he was joking and laughed at him. He hasn’t been to visit Prince Benedict in Kensington ever since. He always meets him somewhere else . . .’

  ‘At the club,’ said Kumari. ‘Of course. I wondered why that was.’

  ‘Well, that explains what happened at your wedding,’ said Lucy. ‘I was just his distraction.’

  Kumari put a hand on Lucy’s arm. ‘I’m so sorry.’

  ‘What for?’ She grinned. ‘It was fun. He was my distraction too.’

  Ophelia came in carrying a bottle of red. ‘What are we talking about?’ she said.

  ‘Rhodri Ellesmere-Jones,’ said Kumari.

  ‘Ah, lovely Rodders. How is he? I haven’t spoken to him in ages. I saw him at your wedding, of course, but didn’t get to talk to him. He was somewhat . . . distracted, as I recall.’ She nodded at Lucy.

  ‘You need a good distraction at a wedding,’ said Lucy cheerfully.

  ‘Oh, you do,’ said Sinead. ‘Definitely.’

  All four women laughed. Kumari felt a little flutter of happiness. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been able to hang out with people and catch up on the gossip. It had been too long since she’d been as relaxed as this.

  *

  It wasn’t long before everyone was sitting at the table. Ben had done his roast pork with all the trimmings, including Kumari’s favourite, Yorkshire puddings. He had also made a dish of cheesy roast potatoes, which Lucy recognised with delight as ‘funeral potatoes’, a spare dish of honey-glazed carrots and Amma’s devilled cauliflowers.

  ‘Shall w
e say grace?’ said Ophelia.

  Everyone bowed their heads, even Kumari and her family, while Ophelia said a very quick prayer of thanks, then everyone dived in. After days of formal dining in Sandringham, it was a relief to be at a table where everyone talked over each other and the wine was passed to whomever wanted it, in whichever direction it needed to go. Ophelia suddenly said, ‘Oh, I forgot. There are Christmas crackers!’ She ran into the sitting room and returned with a dozen crackers. Soon everyone was wearing paper hats and reading out the dreadful cracker jokes. As the evening wore on and people relaxed in each other’s company, the dining room filled with noise. Discussions started elsewhere continued. Occasionally there would be a burst of laughter.

  Kumari finished her meal and looked around. Sinead and Amma were deep in discussion about an article that had appeared in The Sentinel. Ophelia was listening in and throwing in her own insight. Lucy was horrifying Thatha with a description of jello salad. Edwin, Ben and Wendy were discussing which fantasy writers could have influenced George R. R. Martin’s world-building. People were having fun.

  There were no presents, there wasn’t even a Christmas tree in this room, but Kumari felt the warmth of the occasion. Having grown up an only child, with no extended family around her, she didn’t have Ben’s fondness of large family gatherings. But here, surrounded by family and friends enjoying each other’s company . . . she finally understood how Christmas was supposed to be. She looked over at Ben, who gave her a small smile. She put her hand in his and squeezed. He leant across and kissed her cheek.

  When the cutlery had stopped clinking and everyone had finished, Lucy groaned, ‘I don’t think I could eat another thing.’

  Ben said, ‘We have crumble and custard or ice cream for pudding.’

  ‘I’m happy to prove myself wrong,’ said Lucy.

  Ben stood up.

  ‘Before you go,’ said Ophelia. ‘I think we should raise a toast to Ben and to Kumari’s mum Rukmali for a fantastic meal.’

  Everyone raised their glasses.

  ‘And,’ Ophelia continued. ‘I think we should also raise a toast to Ben and Kumari, for their kindness in taking in all us waifs and strays and letting us gatecrash what was surely meant to be a quiet family dinner.’