Page 135 of Tabloid Princess

The prince stood in the reception of King’s Hospital. The silence that surrounded us only highlighted the wild banging in my head.

He moved me slightly so he could talk to the receptionist. “Daisy Lawrence. She is six and was bought in by your paramedics a short while ago. Where can we find her please? This is her mother.”

Everything happened in slow motion. A woman behind the glass barrier looked up. Her gaze landed on me first and then Oliver.

“Your Royal Highness.” She stepped up, smoothing her features. “Please come this way.”

He slid his arm around me, holding me up, and guided us towards where she indicated. She met us at a door to the side of the reception area. “The children’s emergency department is through here.” With quick steps she guided us through a door and down a corridor. I recognised it vaguely from my previous visit, but I’d never have found my way by myself.

We were escorted all the way to the next reception area. This one didn’t have glass barriers; instead Winnie the Pooh and Tigger bounced along the magnolia walls.

“Daisy Lawrence.” The woman snapped at the receptionist.

“Leia.” I turned to the call of my name. Miss Evans stood behind us, her face pale and ashen.

Oh my god.

It confirmed my very worst fears. Every nightmare I’d ever had came true the moment I looked at her face.

Tears rolled with no end. Wild sobs I couldn’t swallow forced their way out of my mouth. Miss Evans cried too, swiping at her face. Her gaze flitted to Oliver, but it didn’t stop the tears.

“Miss Lawrence, if you’d like to come with me.” The woman in the white blouse gestured for me to follow.

My feet wouldn’t move. They stuck to the floor. I didn’t want to move if she was going to tell me my life was over.

“Leia, my love.” I glanced up into Oliver’s face. His small endearment reached into my heart, restarting it, making me move. His hand grasped mine so tight I knew he’d never let it go, even though I’d said horrible things, told him he was a mistake, he still held on tight.

The woman escorted us to a small side room and pushed open the door. “If you could wait here, I’ll get a doctor.”

“I need to see Daisy.” My words were the lightest whisper.

She nodded, sympathy in her eyes. “Just give me a moment.”

Oliver wrapped his arms tight around me, holding me up while my tears soaked his T-shirt. Miss Evans, who’d followed us, stood awkwardly. She turned to go but Oliver gestured to her. “Daisy’s teacher?”

“Yes.” Her voice trembled.

“Thank you for your dedication.” He reached out and squeezed her arm.

“Don’t go,” I whimpered. “She loves you; she’d want you here.”

Tears sprung down the woman’s face. “Leia, I tried so hard to get her here on time. I promise.”

I nodded, unable to speak.

“W- what happened? I only just left her.” I didn’t know if this was true. I didn’t know how long Oliver and I had sat at that kitchen table.

This… everything about this hurt on a level I couldn’t comprehend. A vision of my beautiful daughter, so bright, so smart, turned to ash in my head. I clutched onto it in case I never got to see her with that spark I loved so much again. I trembled wildly, a deep moan working its way from my chest. I couldn’t exist without Daisy; it would be impossible to continue.

“Leia, breathe, please.” Oliver smoothed my hair, his lips brushing my forehead. I should have pushed him away; we’d broken up. Daisy’s last morning with her mother had been ruined by the gossip my time with Oliver had created. I’d never get that morning back, or yesterday, or the day before.

I should have pushed him away, but I couldn’t. I found myself clinging onto his hoodie, somehow needing him to hold me up.

The doctor who walked in had obviously been warned of his royal visitor. He straightened his tie and reached out a hand to mine first and then Oliver’s.

“Daisy has been very lucky.”

I wobbled as though I was on the precipice of a cliff and about to dive to unknown depths.