The Palace Library (18 page)
“But
now,” added Great Uncle Jasper. “We’re being rude. You must
introduce me to your friend.”
“This
is Eloise,” said Harry. Jasper held his hand out. She curtsied and
was quite uncertain what to do. But he told her to stand up and he shook
her hand, quietly smiling and saying, “Welcome to The Palace Library.”
“Eloise
can’t talk,” added Harry, “but she’s sweet. And wise.”
“Well
Edgar is a good talker,” said Jasper, “and I’m sure he’ll be happy to have a
companion here. It must get lonely sometimes, even with Sophie.”
“You
mean Eloise will stay here in The Library?” asked Eleanor.
“Well
I think she’ll have to,” said Great Uncle Jasper knowingly. “She can’t
exactly go back to Clarendon Palace can she? And I doubt The Library will
let her home with us.”
Eloise
looked a little bemused by this all, but Grace had other things on her
mind. “Do you think Edgar has any chocolate cake?” she asked.
“
Mmmm
. I’m not sure. I have to tell you Edgar
isn’t quite himself at the moment.”
“Is
he ill?” asked Grace, worried suddenly.
“Oh
no. It’s just that he’s never seen a television before and he’s quite
engrossed. Although he works for The Witan, he’s quite the monarchist and
obviously he couldn’t be at the last Diamond Jubilee in person. Queen
Victoria made him a Privy Councillor you know. That’s where he got that
lovely blue coat from. I’m quite jealous really.
“Anyway,
I think we’re just in time. Come and watch. It’s all about to
start.”
“What’s
about to start?” asked Grace.
“It’s
the service in St Paul’s for Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee,” replied
Edgar. “I think you’ll like it.”
Inwardly
the children groaned. A church service was boring, but they were too
polite to say.
Edgar
was engrossed in the screen. He gave a little wave and an indication to
be quiet, quite forgetting his manners. Then they all sat down together.
The
service was about to start and they saw Queen Elizabeth II step out of her
carriage with Prince Phillip and move up the cathedral steps.
“I
think you’ll like this bit,” said Great Uncle Jasper encouragingly.
“Watch carefully.”
Then
they understood what he meant, for there on the television screen they saw the Lord
Mayor of London lead the Queen into the cathedral for the service. Raised
in his hands was the Sword of State. It seemed like only that morning
that they had been doing the very same thing.
It
was only that morning, but another time and another place.
THE END
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