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And with these words she turned on her heel and waltzed out, leaving her former employer to stare after her, shocked and visibly dismayed.

Tessa blinked and spotted us.“Maybe I should hire you as my personal assistants,” she said finally. “I have a feeling you’d do a much better job and would be much easier to handle than all these so-called professionals.”

And shaking her head, she walked out.

“Well, that was instructive,” I said.

“Tessa doesn’t seem to have much luck picking her staff,” said Dooley.

“No, she does not.”

“You think it’s because she’s tough to work for?”

“I don’t know, Dooley. Maybe it’s a cultural thing. Maybe the English have different expectations about what it’s like to work for someone like Tessa who clearly seems to know what she wants and isn’t afraid to express it.”

“I hope her security people don’t walk out, too, or else she won’t have anyone to protect her.”

“She will always have Fluffy,” I said, which drew a smile from Dooley. “And us,” I added, making Dooley’s smile even wider.

“And of course there’s always Dante,” he said.

“Her knight in shining armor.”

“Why shining armor, though, Max? Why does it have to shine?”

“I think it’s just a phrase, Dooley. Any old armor will do. Though it’s always nice to have a shining armor, of course. Nobody likes a scruffy and dented old armor.”

“That’s true,” Dooley admitted.

Odelia came walking into the office and seemed relieved to see us.“Oh, there you are. I was wondering where you’d gone off to. Tessa is giving a speech in town. Do you guys want to come? Or do you want to stay here?”

Dooley and I shared a quick glance.“Stay here,” we said in unison. At least with the humans out of the house, we might actually have a chance to sleep off this terrible jet lag!

Chapter 19

It was a whole production but finally they managed to leave the cottage and be on their way. Dante and Tessa traveled in the first car, along with Tessa’s cousin Nesbit and Angela, while Chase, Odelia and Gran traveled in the second car. There was a third car filled with security people, and all three cars had privacy glass so no one could look in and know in which car the royal couple traveled.

“If we’re unlucky they’ll think we’re Dante and Tessa and start shooting at us,” said Gran, who looked nervous.

“I’m sure they won’t,” said Odelia, though she didn’t feel entirely relaxed herself.

“Did you catch that big altercation with the best friend?” asked Chase.

“I did,” said Odelia.

“I did, too,” said Gran. “What a jerk, right?”

“Well, I can imagine it must be tough on Dante’s former friends to see him change so much.”

“Yeah, but that’s only to be expected. I mean, the guy wasn’t always going to be the fun-loving rogue all his life.”

“He could have been,” said Chase. “Some guys are like that. They never change.”

“I think it speaks for Dante that he changed. He grew up and got a life! What’s so bad about that?”

“It’s bad because his friends are now confronted with the ugly truth about themselves,” said Chase. “They’re confronted with the fact that while they’re still acting like a bunch of irresponsible teenagers, Dante is now a grownup.”

“That’s probably what hurts the most,” said Odelia. “Not the fact that they lost a friend, but he’s holding up a mirror. And they don’t like what they see.”

“They didn’t have to lose Dante as a friend,” said Gran. “They could have stayed friends, if only they’d grown up alongside him. Become men.”

“Truer words have never been spoken,” said Odelia, and eyed her grandmother approvingly. “Look at you. Being all smart and wise.”

“I’m always wise and smart,” said Gran.

“I know, but you’re acting more mature, all of a sudden. No more weird hobbies or crazy stunts.”

Gran smiled.“There comes a time in everyone’s life when you have to decide whether to go through life like a human wrecking ball or be a force for good. And I’ve chosen to be a force for good, spreading sweetness and light.”

“Oh, that’s deep,” said Chase.

“That’s because I’m a deep person.”

Odelia wasn’t sure if it was temporary or permanent, but she liked this new and improved Gran. “I like it,” she said. “I mean, I’ll always love you whatever you do, but I think this is definitely a better and kinder you.”

Gran sighed and gave her granddaughter a wan smile.“Life gives you kicks in the groin sometimes, and it’s at moments like these that you have to decide whether to turn those kicks into lemons or not.”

“I think the expression is that when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade,” said Chase.

“Oh, Chase. You say it so well,” said Gran, placing her hands in her lap and nodding beatifically. She then raised her hand, and waved at the passing scenery. “I’m going to let you in on a little secret.”

“Oh? What’s that?” asked Chase.

“I’m going to be Queen.”

Chase and Odelia both blinked.“What?”

“That’s right. It’s one of the reasons I was so keen to come along on this trip. America deserves a queen and I’m going to be it. Her. She. Whatever.”

“But we don’t have a queen,” said Odelia.

“Exactly! And now we will.” She smiled. “Moi.”