‘So this party is basically at my house, and you’re inviting me to it?’ Sarah asked, grinning.
‘Well, it is in the men’s corridor not the women’s, this time …’
Sarah laughed. ‘I’m kidding. And I’m pretty sure no one else here would have thought to tell me about it, so thank you.’
She was right, I realised. If it wasn’t for Oliver, Sarah would have been left out, again. And then she’d have headed back to her room from here and walked straight past it, knowing she wasn’t wanted there.
Thank goodness for Oliver.
‘Anyway,’ he went on. ‘Everyone brings a bottle of something alcoholic to drink, and someone tends to bring speakers to play some music, and we all just chat and get to know each other a bit better.’
‘Sounds nice.’ Sarah sounded dubious, though. Probably because she was sure that none of them wanted to get to know her better.
But they should, I realised. If they knew Sarah like I knew her, like Oliver knew her, they’d have to like her. How could they not?
Which meant we had to get her to this corridor party.
‘It’ll be a great chance to get to know the other staff here,’ Oliver said. I caught his eye, and I could see he knew Sarah was wavering too.
‘I’m just not so sure it’s a good idea,’ Sarah said.
Not good enough. I had to do something.
I jumped up to my four paws with a sharp bark, and bounded to the door, ducking behind Oliver, and pawing at the wood.
Maybe Sarah would go to the party if I went with her.
‘Looks like Henry wants to join the party,’ Oliver said. ‘But I’m sure he’ll only go if you do. You wouldn’t want to let a dog down, would you …?’
Sarah rolled her eyes. ‘Henry’s had plenty of adventures already today.’
I barked again, and she laughed.
‘Come on,’ Oliver said, obviously sensing she was weakening. ‘Never mind Henry – I’d really like it if you would go to the party with me. Please.’
She looked up, and I saw their gazes lock. For a long moment, they just stared at each other.
Then, Sarah whispered, ‘Well, when you put it like that …’ and I knew we were in business.
I hadn’t had cause to visit the staff corridors of Buckingham Palace before; Sarah didn’t seem to spend all that much time there anyway, so I just caught up with her out and about around the Palace and its grounds. Still, I was interested to see where she and Oliver lived – and if it was nicer than the Corgi Room (I suspected not).
There wasn’t much chance to see inside the rooms, though. When we arrived, the party was already in full swing, and the corridor rang with music and conversation, people shouting over each other to be heard. There were plenty of bottles and glasses laid out too – apparently a lot of fun was being had.
‘While the cat’s away,’ Oliver murmured, close to Sarah’s ear, just loud enough for her – and my excellent ears – to hear.
‘Looks like everyone is enjoying themselves.’ Sarah sounded more nervous than I’d heard her since I arrived at the Palace.
‘And we will too. Come on.’ Oliver grabbed her hand and dragged her into the crush. I followed behind, keeping as close to their heels as I could.
‘Who brought a corgi to the party?’ someone cried upon seeing me.
‘What, are you worried he’s going to report back to Her Majesty?’ someone else asked, and everyone laughed.
Clearly they didn’t know the sort of corgi they were dealing with. I knew how to party: Amy and Jim used to hold New Year’s Eve parties every year, and I would dance and jump and celebrate with the best of them.
Oliver had brought drinks for them both, although as far as I could see neither he nor Sarah did much more than sip at them. They stood off to one side, chatting between themselves more than actually joining in the party.
Every now and then, though, someone would stop by to talk to Oliver, and he would introduce them to Sarah. Oliver was clearly a well known and liked member of the household staff, I realised. Hopefully just being his friend would be enough to convince the others that Sarah was worth getting to know. She certainly seemed to be relaxing, the more and more people she said hello to. And they all seemed to be smiling and friendly to her.
Obviously this had been a brilliant idea. Good of Oliver and me to come up with it, really.
‘I just need to go talk to Russell, over there,’ Oliver said, after a while. ‘Will you be okay here with Henry?’
Sarah gave him a half-smile. ‘I think I can hold my own without a guard dog.’
‘Of course you can.’ Oliver smiled and started moving away. ‘It’s Henry I’m worried about,’ he called back over his shoulder, making Sarah laugh.
The moment he was out of sight, though, lost in a sea of people, Sarah tensed up again. I knew she didn’t feel comfortable with the other Palace staff yet – the same way I didn’t feel truly comfortable around Willow, Vulcan and Candy. It’s hard to be somewhere you know you’re not wanted.
But Oliver wanted Sarah here. And so did I.
Hopefully that would be enough, in the end.
But then, Harriet from the Post Office came over to say hello, on her way to fetch another drink. And then another housemaid stopped for a quick chat before being whisked off to dance by one of the footmen. I sat happily at Sarah’s feet, watching her gaining in confidence by the moment.
She could do this – even without Oliver. And she was finally starting to realise that. Brilliant.
‘You’re Sarah, right?’ A red-haired woman who looked just a little older than Sarah approached us. She had a smile on her face, but it was the sort of smile I didn’t trust, not entirely. Not like the smiles of the others who’d stopped by to chat. I shuffled a little closer to Sarah, just in case she needed me. ‘You’re here with Oliver.’
‘That’s right.’ Sarah turned towards the voice, returning the bad smile with one of her brilliant ones. ‘On both counts, I suppose.’
‘I’m Jessica.’ Her smile twisted, just a touch. Just enough to tell me that I was right to trust my instincts.
This one was up to no good.
‘Oh. Yes, I think we met on my first day,’ Sarah replied, her smile fading and her voice a little tight. Was this one of the people who’d been making fun of her? I wondered.
‘You seem to have settled in just fine,’ Jessica said, glancing over Sarah’s shoulder to where Oliver was talking to his friend. ‘Getting Oliver on your side is a big coup.’
‘He’s not … it’s not about sides.’ Sarah’s brow creased up with confusion. ‘He’s just my friend.’
‘Of course he is. And you’ve even befriended the Queen’s dogs.’ She glanced down at me with visible disgust.
Not a dog person, then. Good. We wouldn’t want one like her, anyway.
‘Henry’s a very friendly dog,’ Sarah said, neutrally.
‘Well, I suppose that will stand you in good stead with Her Majesty,’ Jessica said, suddenly all smiles and friendliness again. ‘She loves it when other people dote on her dogs. Especially when the dogs love them back. You should definitely make a show of your closeness with Henry when the Queen gets back.’
‘Hello, Jessica,’ Oliver said, appearing suddenly beside us. I was glad. I didn’t know exactly what Jessica was up to, but I was sure it wasn’t nearly as friendly as she wanted us to believe.
‘Oliver.’ Sarah smiled up at him, relief glowing from her face.
‘I was just saying hello to our new girl,’ Jessica said, already edging away.
‘Yes, she was telling me how much the Queen loves it when her staff get on well with her dogs,’ Sarah elaborated. ‘She suggested that I make a fuss of Henry in front of her, when she gets back.’
Oliver’s eyes narrowed as he stared at Jessica. ‘Did she now.’
‘It was a joke!’ Jessica burst out, stepping back again. ‘A prank – you know, like we always play on the newbies. Just the usual hazing for new st
aff members. Or have you forgotten, now you’re a high and mighty senior footman? You used to like making an apple pie bed, or putting food colouring in someone’s toothpaste, just as much as the rest of us.’
‘A prank?’ Sarah asked, obviously confused.
‘The Queen is very particular about her pets,’ Oliver said. ‘Remember, I told you how normally no one else is allowed to pet them, except her? Henry is obviously the exception, but you still wouldn’t be very popular if you made a fuss of him in front of Her Majesty.’
‘So you were trying to get me into trouble,’ Sarah said, looking at Jessica with disappointment.
‘It was a joke,’ Jessica muttered again.
‘Not a very funny one.’ Oliver glared at her again, until Jessica decided to take the very sensible course of getting away from him. He turned back to Sarah. ‘I’m sorry about her.’
Sarah shrugged. ‘I told you they didn’t like me.’
‘It might be my fault too,’ Oliver said. ‘Ever since I got promoted to senior footman … I think a few people feel I’ve forgotten where I started. I haven’t, of course, but … sometimes that’s how it is around here.’
‘Well, I’m right on the bottom rung, and they can still find a reason to dislike me!’
‘They’re not all like Jessica,’ Oliver insisted. ‘Most people who work here are lovely. Like family, even, once you get to know them. But it does take a while to settle in.’
Sarah straightened her shoulders. ‘Well, I’m in it for the long haul. So they’d just better get used to me.’
Oliver beamed. ‘Good for you.’
‘But for now … maybe I should just head back to my room. I think I’ve had enough partying for one night.’
Oh no. That would absolutely not do. I had to find a way to keep Sarah at the party. If she left now, then that Jessica would have won. And that was unacceptable.
‘We haven’t even had a dance, yet,’ Oliver said, but Sarah shook her head.
‘I’m not great at dancing.’
Well, I was. And I was going to get Sarah dancing one way or another.
The music blaring from the speakers changed to something I recognised from one of Amy’s movies – and apparently everyone else there knew it too, because a lot of them got up to dance. I barked my approval and then, with a quick glance up at Sarah, dove into the crowd of dancers, ready to shake my furry stuff.
‘Is Henry … is he dancing?’ I heard Oliver ask, over the buzz of the music. I was too busy making my paws move in time and shaking my stumpy tale to look over, though.
The dancers around me spread out a little, giving me room to move, clapping along in time as I danced. Then, as the song reached my favourite bit, I darted over to Sarah and barked up at her, encouragingly.
‘I think he wants us to join him on the dance floor,’ Oliver said.
Sarah was shaking her head again, but this time I had the crowd onside. ‘Come on, Oliver! Come on, Sarah!’ people were shouting.
Laughing, Oliver pulled Sarah onto the designated dancing area to join me, and she buried her head against his shoulder as his arms came up around her.
Then, just as if I’d orchestrated it, the music changed again – this time, to a slower, softer song. I backed away and sat on the sidelines, watching as Sarah and Oliver swayed in time to the music.
Perfect. Like a happy ever after in a movie.
Just like I’d planned.
Day 8
Saturday 21st December
AMY
‘Now, are you sure you two will be okay without me today?’ Amy looked nervously back at her children as she wrapped a fluffy scarf around her neck. ‘Remember, I’m only at the surgery if you need me, and your dad is only a phone call away too. There’s stuff to make sandwiches in the fridge, and if you could remember to feed the cat …’ she trailed off as her two children stared at her impassively. Even Sookie was sitting alert next to the radiator, watching her. Judging her, in that way cats always seemed to.
Henry never judged her.
Amy sighed. ‘Look, I know that staying home while I go out to work isn’t the most exciting way to spend the first day of the holidays, but—’
‘Actually, Mum … we did have a sort of plan for today.’ Jack was looking faintly guilty before she even asked what the plan was, which didn’t bode well at all.
She unwound her scarf. This might take a while.
‘What plan?’ she asked.
‘Jack thought we could go into London again, on the train,’ Claire said, excitedly.
Amy’s chest tightened. Last time they’d gone to London, they’d come home a family member short. She really wasn’t sure she could bear risking that again.
‘We could put up some actual Hunt for Henry posters, for local people who maybe wouldn’t see it online,’ Jack explained. ‘And maybe we could even check out the Dogs and Cats home at Battersea. See if he’s ended up there by mistake.’
‘He’s microchipped, Jack,’ Amy pointed out. ‘I’m sure they’d have checked that.’ But what if they hadn’t? Had she even called Battersea? She couldn’t remember if it was on her list of places to check in with. If it wasn’t … it had to be worth a try, right?
‘What if something went wrong with the microchip?’ Claire asked. ‘I’ve been reading up, and sometimes they do. They might have him and have no idea that he’s ours.’
They both looked so excited, so eager, Amy wanted to say yes. Even if it all came to nothing, at least they’d be doing something. And doing it together, which made her feel kind of warm inside. With the age difference, it wasn’t often that Jack and Claire found a common interest. But for Henry, they were working together. That felt good.
The only problem was, could she bring herself to trust them both again after the stunt they’d pulled the other night?
‘Look, this is different from the guy who said he had Henry,’ Jack said, reading her mind in the way he only ever seemed able to do when he could use it to get what he wanted. ‘We’re not going to meet anyone else, or do anything dodgy. We’ve told you exactly where we’re going, and we’ll text and tell you our train times if you want. It’s not like I’ve never been into London without you before.’
That was true. Jack was seventeen, perfectly old enough to take the train into town on his own. He went often with his friends, on the weekend, and had even volunteered at a city centre animal shelter the summer before, in preparation for his vet’s training. She didn’t have to worry about Jack finding his way around the big city.
But taking his baby sister with him? That was a different proposition altogether.
‘And I’m twelve now, Mum,’ Claire added. ‘It’s not like I’m a baby any more, or anything.’
‘You’ll always be my baby,’ Amy said, absently, and Claire pulled a face.
‘Mum!’
‘I know, I know.’ They were both growing up. And she couldn’t keep them home and safe and with her twenty-four hours a day – however tempting that might sometimes be. It was just … she’d lost so much she’d taken for granted recently, it was hard to risk anything more.
‘Maybe I could get someone to cover for me at the surgery. Then I could come with you.’ She’d only taken the extra shift at the Saturday clinic because they were desperate for staff, and because the extra cash would come in very handy this month. The chances of finding someone else willing to work the weekend were limited, she knew. But maybe …
‘Mum.’ Jack gave her a serious look, and suddenly he was more man than boy. More parent than child, even. ‘We’ll be fine. You know we will.’
And that was the problem. She did know that. They were capable, sensible children – usually, at least. She didn’t have an argument against the plan except that she didn’t want to spend the whole day worrying totally unnecessarily.
She sighed. ‘Okay. Fine.’ Claire squealed and threw her arms around her mum’s waist. Even Jack managed a proper smile. ‘But I want you to text me every hour to check in. Okay
?’
‘Sure. We will,’ Jack promised.
Claire grabbed a pink floral folder from the kitchen table and stuffed it into Amy’s hands. ‘Look! These are what we’re going to put up, and show around.’
Amy opened the folder. Inside were page after page of copies of the photo of Henry in his Christmas cracker hat, along with the link to the ‘Hunt for Henry’ Facebook page, and the word ‘Missing!’ in a large font. Underneath, was a full description of Henry, starting with the words: ‘Much loved family pet.’
Would it help? Probably not. But at least they’d feel like they were doing something. Amy could understand the need for that.
‘Maybe don’t attach anything to the Palace railings though, yeah?’ she suggested. ‘I have a feeling the Queen wouldn’t like it …’
Jack grinned. ‘We won’t, Mum.’
‘In that case … good luck!’ She gave them both a hug and reached for her scarf. ‘And I really, really hope you find him.’
‘Um, Mum?’ Jack said, giving her the guilty look again. ‘I don’t suppose you could lend us any money for today could you? Only …’
Only he’d given all his to a scam artist to try and get Henry back. Of course.
Amy sighed and reached for her purse, doing some quick mental calculations about the cost of train tickets, and how much today’s extra shift would bring in. Apparently her children weren’t as entirely grown-up and self-sufficient as all that just yet.
HENRY
I awoke to the sensation of being stared at. Cautiously, I opened one eye, and found Willow, Candy and Vulcan standing around my basket, all looking at me.
I opened the other eye. ‘What?’
‘Where, exactly, did you disappear to last night?’ Willow asked.
‘Sarah carried you back and put you to bed,’ Candy added. ‘It was really, really late.’
‘And you let her hold you.’ Vulcan shuddered. ‘You didn’t even have the excuse of being sedated, or anything.’
‘Unless you were?’ Candy asked. ‘I mean, had you been to the vet’s or something? What happened?!’
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