Nobody in Particular(106)

FORTY-EIGHT

ROSE




Inside Harriet’s room, we face each other. Me, angry enough to launch myself at her again. Her, apprehensive and bewildered. “Rose,” she says, holding up her hands. “I never contacted the palace. I swear. Not once.”

“How did you figure it out, then?” I ask, a little hysterical. “When? Tell me, and fast, so I know you’re not lying.”

“It was late last year. I knew you were spending a lot of time together, and I was jealous, and I wondered, I guess. But then one night I saw you and Danni go inside together, and when she came back down later, she had a hickey. And she did not have one when I saw you together an hour before that. But I didn’t tell the palace, Rose.”

That night was just before we broke up. “So, you’re telling me that right around the time you figured it out, within days, someone else realized we were dating and reported us to the palace?”

“Yeah, I think that’s exactly what happened, from what you’re telling me, because—”

I laugh in her face. “Oh, well, in that case I’ll leave you alone then, shall I? So sorry for the misunderstanding!”

“Rose,” Harriet says over me. “I told Alfie.”

“I—” I stumble over this, confused. “You what?”

She averts her eyes to the wall behind me, angry and blushing. “You were going around kissing him in public, remember? I thought maybe if I told him, he’d confront you and you’d end things with Danni before they went any further, and maybe I’d have a chance with her. I’m a terrible, selfish person, and I’m sorry I did it. But I’m not a liar.”

I flounder, unable to grasp what she’s just told me. Or, rather, unwilling. “Did you tell anyone else?”

“No. Just Alfie. I promise.”

I back away, frowning. Somehow, I believe her. And that terrifies me.

“He told the palace about you two?” Harriet asks. “Is that why Danni’s getting expelled?”

I study her. She’s certainly telling the truth. Any doubts I had are erased by the earnest concern on her face.

Reeling, I stagger down the hall and into the courtyard, where I sit by the fountain to collect my thoughts. In the distance I can make out a crowd outside the gates. I squint. It’s a crowd of reporters. I suppose the story about Danni’s expulsion has been leaked. Perhaps William even leaked it himself in an attempt to place pressure on the school. He truly is happy to go above and beyond for me, now that I’ve promised to give him what he wants.

I take out my phone to check my messages.

There are a couple from Danni, which I remind myself to read in a few minutes.

William, informing me he’s on his way.

And Alfie, informing me the same.





FORTY-NINE

ROSE




I text Alfie to meet me in the courtyard.

He’s wearing his school uniform like a model student. His shirt is a bright white, his blazer crisply ironed. His hair is immaculately styled, clean and smooth and immobile. It’s as though he’s auditioning for the role of my husband. That’s a silly thought, though. His audition is complete. And it was conducted with far more secrecy and skill than I could ever have anticipated.

He approaches me at the fountain. A prompt response to my text. He must have already been on the grounds.

“Mum’s in there right now,” he says, as we sit side by side on the fountain’s edge. “She seemed very confident we’ll be able to straighten everything out. I think Danni’s going to be fine.”

I slump backward, so far that the spray from the fountain tickles my forehead. “That’s such a relief,” I say. “I’m in your debt, Alfie. I really am.”

He holds a hand out, startled. “Don’t fall in.”

“Who cares if I do? Nothing could ruin my mood right now.”

He beams.

“Really, I’ve been thinking about all you’ve done for me over the past several months, and it blows me away. First, there was the time you offered to fake date me for the cameras. Well, you couldn’t have possibly known this, but that day someone had told William that Danni and I were in a relationship. So, frankly, the offer couldn’t have come at a better time to douse that fire.”

Alfie’s smile becomes a little forced. Or am I imagining that? “Really?” he asks, as though he can barely believe the serendipity of it all.

“Yes. The whole thing was also being fueled by an anonymous account that was mostly taking photos from Molly’s profile. We’ll never know who that was, either. Could’ve been anybody. Your ice-skating idea was wonderful for shutting down those rumors, and it was an inspired idea to bring along someone with a crush on Danni to monopolize her the whole day. I know I messed it up by forgetting myself when she got hurt, but you did do your best to stop me from getting too close to her while there were cameras. Trust me, I’m very grateful for everything you’ve done.”

It’s abundantly clear Alfie doesn’t know how to reply now. He just sits, his back rod straight, as he waits for me to get to my point.

“Your support following Florence’s party was especially helpful. Oh, by the way, it turns out some friends of yours were responsible for the photo leak. Speaking of consent, I’ve been thinking about our kiss. It’s funny to me you found it so strained in hindsight, because at the time, I thought you simply couldn’t tell I didn’t want to kiss you. You did it twice, after all. But I’ve had so many kisses since then, and now that I think about it, a wanted kiss feels absolutely nothing like a forced one. I’m not actually sure you were confused at all. Anyway, I digress. Edmund did mention to Danni that the video of her was put in a group chat he’s in with his Ashford friends. Of course, it’s impossible to know who sent it to the press from there. But, forgive me, I’m probably updating you on something you’re already well aware of. You were in that group chat, yes? Surely. With all your friends?”