Harry
I love Africa. It feels strange to say that, when it is worlds away from what my life is like back in England, but maybe that is why I love it. I feel more like myself—my real self—in Africa than anywhere else in the world.
The trip to Malawi had been scheduled for months, and the timing was perfect. I could spend a week in my favorite place, away from the crowds and the stink of the city, away from the ever-present news stories and, most especially, away from Meg. I didn't have to worry that she would turn up in my home or at some function, smiling her fake smile and taking my arm like she owned me. I could relax and work—really work—getting my hands dirty and getting sunburnt, collapsing back at the camp in the evening to have a few cold beers with the rest of the crew.
The trip helped ease the waiting, distracted me from the sword of Meg's possible-but-not-likely pregnancy that was hanging over me. When I returned to London, it would only be a few days before her doctor's appointment, and she would be able to put the truth off no longer. And once I knew the truth, things were going to change.
The only bad thing about my trip was the separation from Samantha. Communication was spotty when we were out in the park, and during the day I was too busy to check my phone. I'd opted not to stay in a lodge, where there would be regular phone service and hot showers, wanting instead to camp where I could watch the stars brighten the sky and listen to the sounds of nature while I slept. It was a break from my usual world, and I soaked it up gratefully.
It wasn't until the fifth day of my trip that I had any inkling of what was going on back home. Sam's texts had been brief and cheerful, and I assumed everything was going well.
Simon had accompanied me to Malawi, but he stayed in the background and I rarely saw him. I was surprised when he appeared at breakfast, looking grim.
"Sir, can we have a word?" he asked.
"Of course," I said, grabbing a bit of meat roll and following him out of the tent. "What's up?"
"I've had a call from Colin back in London. He didn't want to bother you, Sir, but he left it up to me to decide. He sent some papers and when I saw what was in them—well, I thought you would like to know about it right away."
Mystified, I took the handful of crumpled papers Simon held out to me. They were printouts from websites, probably printed and then driven out from the nearest lodge with good internet service. The headline on the top one stopped me cold.
Prince Harry's Cinderella Stable Girl Attacked!
I scanned the article quickly, words jumping out at me. Crowd outside flat...due to recent publicity...hurling insults...angry at her relationship with Prince Harry...supporters of Meg Moran attacked Samantha Walden...
"Get me a satellite phone," I said, my voice calm despite my inner turmoil.
"There's a lodge about 20 minutes away. Probably your best bet for a secure stable connection."
I was already striding towards the Land Cruiser. "Then what are you waiting for?"
As the Land Cruiser bounced down the roads and non-roads on the way to the lodge, I had time to calm down and read the rest of the articles Colin had sent me. Basically a huge amount of pro-Meg, anti-Sam publicity had appeared while I was off the grid, and the trolls and haters were having a field day. I was pretty sure I knew the original source of all the stories, which included Meg's pregnancy "secret." There had been a scuffle outside Sam's flat and some people had thrown things at her, but it sounded like she escaped with only a couple of bruises and scratches. The police had arrived quickly and a few people were arrested. Never mind that the Queen was going to be furious about all the scandal—I was furious, worried about Sam, and feeling guilty that I was not there to protect her.
Simon arranged for a private room at the lodge, which was just as well, since I didn't trust myself not to bark orders at everyone to get what I wanted. As we stepped inside, he said, "Colin would like to talk to you, Sir, and the Queen—"
"I'm not talking to anyone but Sam right now. I'll deal with my family when I get back." I picked up the receiver, and Simon hastily departed.
I was in control until I heard Sam's voice on the other end, far away in London, and then I lost it. "Are you okay?" I asked, barely saying hello.
"I'm fine, Harry, really," she said. "It wasn't as bad as the press are making it out to be. There were a few rocks thrown—"
"Rocks!"
"Small ones. Tiny ones. Gravel really. And there was some pushing—"
"Someone pushed you?"
"It happened so fast," Sam's voice was soothing. "There was some shouting and a bit of rock flying at me and I ended up on the ground. I've taken worse tumbles off a horse. So have you. Compared to what I looked like after the hunt, this is minor. My palms got a bit scratched up when I fell and I have a few scratches on my cheek. It's nothing. Randa was with me and called the police. It's okay. I'm fine. I don't want you to worry about it."
"What about the next time?" I asked, my voice rising.
"Maybe there won't be a next time," she said.
"I can't take that chance. If I can't be there to protect you I'll hire some private security for you. You shouldn't have to put up with this kind of shit because of me."
"We both know it's not because of you," Sam said. "We both know who's behind this. Listen, a lot has happened while you've been away. Meg and I had...some words...at the Sleeping Lion—"
"What?" I might have been yelling at that point, but I couldn't help it.
"Yes, she came to the Lion and tried to bribe me into breaking up with you. I'll tell you all about it when you get back. You can listen to it yourself. I have a recording of the entire thing."
"You recorded her?" I wasn't sure if I should be relieved about that news or angry.
"Randa did. Oh, it's too much to tell you over the phone. But Harry—this recording—I'm pretty sure it will get you out of your engagement, if—"
"I don't want to talk about any ifs right now. I don't want to talk about Meg either."
"I don't blame you. But that's not all, unfortunately. I've been kicked out of my flat. I have to be out by the end of March. Like in two weeks. And I have nowhere to go."
Only now did worry creep into Sam's voice and I wanted so much to be there and hold her that I thought I would go crazy at my inability to do so. "I can help you find a place. But with everything that's going on right now, I think it might be good for you to go away for a bit, at least until after the doctor's appointment next week. I would feel better if you were away from London. Can you go home for a visit? Is there somewhere you can stay?"
"You mean back to Vancouver?"
"Yes. I'll pay for flights. First class. Don't worry about that. And if you need a place to stay in Vancouver, I can find you a nice hotel that caters to keeping things private."
"I can stay with my dad and stepmom. I need to talk to them anyway, about...the future. About you and I."
"I am back late on the 18th," I said, chewing at my bottom lip as I thought quickly. "That's three more days. I'd like to see you before you fly out, but if you'd rather leave right away—"
"No." Her answer was swift. "I want to see you. I need to see you."
"Okay, but you're not staying at the flat. It's not safe for you there. Pack up what you need to take with you and box up the rest of your stuff, so we can empty the flat. What time is it there?"
"A little after 5am."
"I'm sorry. I woke you up, didn't I?"
"Not really."
"Can you be packed up by this afternoon?"
"Yes."
"Good. I'll have Colin make the arrangements and Duncan will pick you up. Do not leave the flat and do not get into a car with anyone but Duncan. Promise me."
"Okay. I promise."
And then, afraid that I might have sounded too much like a mad dictator, I added, "I'm just worried about your safety, okay?"
Sam laughed a little, and the sound made me feel a bit better. "It's okay. You're sure you can arrange all this from Malawi? And still have time for the elephants?"
The elephants be damned, I thought. "I'm sure. I have people who will take care it. I'll have Colin send you all the details and I'll call you as soon as I am back in London."
"Thank you, Harry. Really. I appreciate it."
Her voice cracked a little, and I knew that the stress was getting to her, even if she would never admit it. I felt the guilt and anger rising again. "Listen, Sam. This is the last trip you will take alone. After this it will be you and I traveling together. I promise you that. And I don't make promises lightly."