After that weekend Laura was grateful for school. She would find it a comfort to lose herself in lessons and not have to think about what was happening at home. She'd be away from the reporters and photographers hounding the Palace. Most of all she wanted to be alone.
"Hey, Laura," Hillary called, waving the magazine in her right hand. The announcement of the Royals fight shouted at the top.
Laura looked at the girls, said nothing, just went ahead to arranging her side of the room.
Hillary sat cross-legged on her bed. "Sorry."
Laura nodded. Everybody was sorry...
"Must feel awful."
Well, if that's your choice of adjective. Other people's choices? A) Unpleasant, B) Horrible, C) like your world is coming to an end, D) All of the above. Please circle the letter of the answer you feel is most correct.
There was a knock on the door. The Dean of the school entered the room. "Laura? It's a public representative at the Palace," he informed, holding out the phone. "She wants to know what comment you have about your parents situation so she can tell the reporters." The Dean waited for the princess's statement.
Laura took a deep breath. She asked. "What did my brothers say?"
"Hold on." Speaking into the phone "They said no comment."
Laura looked at the Dean. "Ditto."

"Look at them," William said as he sipped his drink. "They look like strangers."
The three of them stood in the corner watching their parents.
Charles and Diana had their backs turned to each other.
"Wanna try to get them back together?" Laura voiced out thier hope.
The siblings looked at each other. They all hoped... but knew it was impossible.
"At least they're not fighting anymore," William sighed. He looked at the way his mom and dad made the obvious point of not noticing one another. "Well, you know what I mean."
"Yeah," Laura agreed.
In the past weeks when they attended a function it was always like this. The three of them huddled in a corner watching the two adults. Waiting for something to happen. They didn't name it then but they all knew what they were waiting for. Other people tried to join in their secluded group. Stopping by to murmur "Thing's might get better." Or "I know how you feel." And the three of them would exchange looks that said: How dare they! How dare these people even presume that they knew what was going on with them? They weren't Charles and Diana's children. They weren't the ones who had to endure constant questions and the damned pitying looks of outsiders! How dare they! And William, Harry and Laura would smile politely, thank them, they way they were raised to do, and did they're best to give the impression they wanted to be alone. Some got the message right away. Others it took longer for the message to sink in. But eventually the understood. They left all murmuring with to the companions, "Oh, the poor treasures...Do you think the Walses are going to get separated???"
It made Laura sick to her stomach. For more than one reason. Was she a hypocrite? After all, she could leave anytime she wanted to. But she looked into the eyes of Harry and William and had this compulsion to stay. They were her brothers. They needed her. But if she wised herself back. They wouldn't need her. But in this life they had Diana... it was so confusing.
William scratched his forehead. A sign he had enough doing his duties as the prince.
Harry nodded in agreement.
Go upstairs, watch TV or sleep. Anything to forget.
"Laura, are you coming?" Wills asked.
Laura shook her head. "In a bit." she promised. She walked around the room by herself, everyone watched her, her presence sparking murmurs in groups, and took a seat at the bar. She wondered what would happen if she got drunk. The headlines would say: Distraught Daughter Turns Drunk over Parents Feud. Diana would yell at Charles. Charles would yell at Diana. At least the two would be talking. Laura laughed. It was so funny she found it sad.
"Are you all right?" a concerned voice asked her.
Laura looked up. It was Gregory.
It was a comfort to see his face.
His kind, inquiring eyes probed hers.
"It's just..." she sighed, not being able to explain.
"Do you want me to fill up your glass?" he asked.
Laura nodded, just to escape from answering the former question.
"How's it going?" Greg asked as he wiped the counter top with a towel.
Oh no, it was going to be that speech! Laura thought.
He looked sheepish. "Just bartender talk. Making polite conversation."
Oh, so that's all it was. Laura felt relieved. "Tonight's okay." She added. "For tonight that is."
He nodded.
"So, Greg," Laura pretended to read his name tag. "Want to tell me about your parents?" she asked him. She thought of her mom.
Greg looked at her. Why was she so interested in that? Then again he had read the papers himself. What she's been going through... The young bartender paused for a moment before saying, "I don't want to talk about it."
"We have something in common," Laura told him. She giggled as if they were in on a private joke.
Greg raised his eyebrows. He didn't it.
But she was smiling which he took as a good sign
He smiled back. He touched her hand. NOT LIKE A BROTHER.
Feeling something incredibly wrong. Laura immediately stood up. "I have to go," She sputtered.
"Did I do something wrong?" Greg asked worriedly. He didn't want to offend the princess. He thought her to be quite pretty.
"No. Nothing. It's not you. It's me," Laura called over her shoulder. She got into the elevator and went up by herself. "It's me. It's me," she mumbled. Greg was not getting a celebrity crush on her. He wasn't. Her hands were clammy and she wiped it on the side of her dress. She thought of a wish. And another that was already promised. She thought of a genie who would make both of them come true. She could make all this madness end tonight.
But when she opened the door to the room. Her brothers seated on the bed changed into their nightwear... A part of her said. Not yet.
Not yet.

Chapter Twelve
Separation.
It was official.
Word had been given to the people of the world by the Palace.
Inside St. James:
"You have Wills. I've understood his duty even before he was born but I wouldn't leave Laura with you. You wouldn't know how to raise a girl. And like hell I'll allow HER to raise Laura-"
"You don't touch my daughter." Charles warned. "What will she learn from you? How to keep her name appearing on the front page that's what!"
Wills turned away from the door he had been watching in silence. His brother and sister who were in the room with him. "What are you two so glum about?" he snapped, annoyed at thier faces. "At least you have choices. I'm the monarchy's property. I have to go with Papa. It doesn't matter that I might want to be with Mum."
Laura stood up from the bed she was sitting on. "Sure Wills!" she cried. "It's just darn peachy being in my position. Being torn in two!"
They started yelling at each other.
Harry stood up from his chair. "Oh yeah!" he called their attention. "How would you feel being the one no one wants?!!!"
All three started yelling at each other.
Wills held up his hands and got into big brother mode. "Look we- we shouldn't be fighting."
Laura and Harry fell silent.
"We're all we've got." Wills told them.
Harry and Laura said nothing.
"Everything will be all right," Wills hoped.
Harry spoke up. "Sure, Wills, stick your head in the sand as always." He headed for the door. "But as far as I'm concerned, the only good thing about this situation is that no one's dead!" The door slammed after him.

"I don't want to meet her," Harry sighed as they stood outside the door.
"Oh, hush. We all have to meet her." William pressed the doorbell.
"We met Dodi," Laura murmured.
They've encountered Dodi and Camilla before. But as the press would say these were recorded as 'official' meetings. Whatever that means.
"At least when we met Dodi we got a vacation," Harry complained, twirling around on the front steps.
"Harry, behave!" William ordered. He didn't like the sight of photographers across the street.
Laura touched her twin's arm and he stood still.
Camilla opened the door.
"Hello," she greeted.
"Hello," three kids echoed. Gee, what to say?
Hi, kissed our dad lately? Laura thought and frowned.
"Uh, come in," she invited stepping aside.
"Okay..." all three kids said at once. They filed in one by one. They sat down at the couch together.
"You know I also have a daughter named Laura," Camilla informed. "A bit older than William."
All three kids nodded. Simultaneuously they all reached for their cups of tea and took a sip. They all shifted in there seats.
"Well..." Camilla began.
All three of them leaned in their seats.
Stressed smiles.
Laura looked at William.
William checked his watch.
Harry looked at the hanging plants.
Camilla stood to check on the sandwiches.
Laura took another sip of her tea.
How long we're they going to have to do stay?

"How did you enjoy your visit?" someone asked after the hour and a half had passed.
"It was... enjoyable," William answered, trying to make his way to the car.
"Enjoyable," Harry and Laura echoed, keeping up with him.
"Great sandwiches," William said, getting into the car.
Harry and Laura looked at each other. "Yeah... great." They followed after him.
"Nice tea... really lemony."
"Uh-huh." Harry and Laura monotoned.
The door closed.
All three of them sighed, glad it was over.
The car phone rang.
William picked it up. "Hello?" he cast a look at his siblings. "Yeah, mum. We're fine... You're seeing us on telly? Cool... Yeah, we'll be over at your place for supper... Okay. Bye." He hung up. He shook his head and looked out the window. Your place. Dad's place. "Damn, this is too unreal."
Laura looked out her window. For her.. it was getting all too real.

"Have you seen Diana?" was the question tossed back and forth at the next party.
"Didn't you know?" Meaningful pause. "She's not here."
Gasp. "You don't say."
Whisper: "Went to Spain." Darts look left. Darts look right. "Heard that she went with (whisper)"
Gasp. "Does Charles know?"
Raised eyebrow. "Um-hmm."
"Oh dear..."
Yeah, yeah. Just talk about it in front of the daughter. Don't you know? She's deaf!Laura thought as she watched the two women leave. She sighed. In a corner of the room Charles was talking to Camilla. Laura frowned. Camilla gazed at him as he talked. The old guy looks happy. Laura wondered how she felt about that. The princess leaned her head against her arm. "Water," she informed to the guy behind the counter. All she noticed was his uniform. And maybe it was due to the fact that she hadn't eaten the entire day but for some reason she began to whistle softly the "Flintstones" theme song.

Windsors, meet the Windsors.
They're the modern royal family
From the -- town of London
They're a page right out of history
Let's ride. With the family down High Street
With the courtesy of the press they'll meet
When you're with the Windsors
You'll have a good time
A bloody good time
A bloody gay old time...

The boy chuckled, placing the glass in front of her. "Clever."
Laura tossed her head back. "Yeah, I always thought so." Greg was the name on the white tag. She almost choked on her water.
He smiled at her.
Laura knew that smile. It was the smile he gave to only girls he liked. Girls he liked A LOT.
"We have to stop meeting like this," he joked.
Laura tried to hide her face with one hand.
But even in this reality Greg was persistent. "You look a bit down. Anything I can do to cheer you up?"
Laura bit on the straw and twirled it around in the glass. "Can you turn back time?" Or have three wishes? a voice said in her head. Sounded like Jory. The face of Diana flashed in her mind and the words of another boy, "The only thing good about this whole situation is that no one's dead."
"Excuse me?" Greg asked.
Laura shook her head. "Forget it."
Greg frowned, wondering if he had offended her.
Laura sipped on her straw. She tilted her head, "Do you have a girlfriend, Greg?"
The question caught him by surprise. He blushed. "No... Your Highness."
"Mmmm... Why not? You're a good-looking guy. You should have a girlfriend," Laura insisted. Her thoughts wandered. She hated being cooped up in the Palace. She found herself wondering if she could date Greg. Laura, what are you doing! a voice inside her yelled. Are you flirting with him? Are you flirting with him? This is Greg you're talking to. He's you're BROTHER!
"Um, thank you Your Highness," Greg mumbled at the compliment. He was torn. Should he leave? Should he stay?
He's not my brother anymore, Laura reasoned. Not in this life. He'd make someone a good boyfriend.Why not me?
Hello... the other voice called. Brother. Brother. Remember the word?
William's my brother now.
Greg looked at her, unaware of what was going on inside her head. She looks bored, he thought Maybe I should go.
He's my brother.
Not in this life.
He was before.
This isn't before.
But-but-but--
Damnit, Laura! Make up your mind. Whose life are you living, anyway?
The Princess's!
Is that your final answer?
YES!
Good.
"Greg..." Laura said his name. "Would you like to go out with me?"

"A bartender?" Charles repeated what his daughter said.
"A very good bartender," Laura smiled. She almost laughed at his reaction
"Ahh, Eee, Ayy, Ohhh, Eww," Charles tried to form a sentence.
Laura raised one eyebrow. "Yes, father?"
"You're a princess."
At least she knew how'd Prince Charles would've reacted if she were still a waitress and William wanted to go out with her. Not that William ever would want to go out with her if she was a waitress... Or that she'd go back to being a waitress... just IF.
William and Harry both watched the sparring. Was Laura serious or was she only doing this to make Father mad? It was hard to tell.
Laura sighed. "If mum says yes, could I go?"
Charles thought this over. Sounded reasonable. Diana knew the image the monarchy had to keep. Not that she ever complied to the rules. But she knew. "Yes, you may call your mother."
Laura picked up the phone on the table between them and dialed the number Diana had left behind. "Hello. The Princess of Wales' room please." She still had the title. "This is her Daughter, Princess Laura of England, I wish to speak to her... Yes. I'll hold."
"Laura?" Diana's sleepy voice was on the other line.
"Mummy?" Laura twirled the extension chord around her finger.
"How are you, Darling?" Laura felt the warm smile through the phoneline. "William? Harry?"
She blurted it out. "Mum, I want to go out on date."
Soft yawn. "What does your father say?"
"Oh, Papa doesn't like him because he's an employee." Big snob! "He works in a catering company."
Pause. "Tell your father I said: yes."

Chapter Thirteen
Laura peered from her place on the stairs as Greg walked through the front door. He looked good. Suit. Tie. Shoes which he must've spent all afternoon to shine. He was met with the a group of people who asked him questions about himself and his background. It was a replay of The Robert Date episode. Laura watched as Greg answered the questions, scratching the side of his head and a goofy smile on his face -- the way he does when he's nervous.
"I don't like him," William hissed in her ear, coming up from behind her.
"Oh, William," Laura swatted his shoulder, her eyes on Greg.
The prince frowned. "Look at him. A green tie! The bloke's color blind. Who wears that?"
Laura shook her head. What was his problem? When it looked as if Greg was about to crack from the pressure -- the sweat that appeared on his temple was a sign she had learned to look out for -- she made her way down the steps. "Hello, Gregory," She smiled at him.
Greg contemplated whether he was dreaming or not when he saw her coming towards him. She didn't just walk. She glided. The white floor-length gown gave her the look of someone who should be admired, looked at... but not touched. However, it was the impish look she had on her face that stole his heart. It was as if she could see his inside panic and was silently scolding him for them. She's gorgeous!
What made her pick him? How did he get so lucky? Gregory Wallace stood, bewildered. He shook her hand. Shaking her hand? Kiss her, Fool! the words exploded in his head to be obeyed. At the looks the PR guys were giving shaking her hand already seemed like a crime.
Had he done something wrong? How does one behave in front of a princess?
"You're on time," Laura observed, smiling. She placed her hand over his. "This is my brother William," she introduced. "You've already met my father, Charles. Mum's out of town. You would've liked meeting her. Harry's upstairs with the flu."
The teenage boys shook hands.
"Pleasure meeting you."
"As I."
Greg felt that William's handshake was too tight.
This crowd moved to the front door.
"He smells funny..." William spoke behind Laura and scrunched his nose.
"It's called cologne." Laura had a fixed smile on her face. Nothing was going to ruin this night.
William folllowed her outside."Be sure to tell him I have a hunting rifle and I know how to use it!"
"Ha ha, Bro. Murder's illegal even for a prince." She swatted him on the shoulder.
"Hey, no body. No crime." He winked, but grew serious. Since Robert, he wondered if his sister was setting herself up for disappointment again. "Make sure he treats you right." He hugged her.
Laura nodded. "He will." Laura mumbled something.
"Excuse me?" William didn't catch it the first time.
"I said," Laura got her shawl, "you need a sister."
William was confused. "I do have a sister. I've got you."
Laura smiled in the way William couldn't tell what she was thinking.
"Yeah, you got me." She hugged him, entered in Greg's car and waved good-bye.
From his room on the second floor, blanket over his shoulder, Harry watched his twin leave. His image was quasi-reflected in the dark window and the heat of his breath fogged the glass. He watched as his sister's PPO's followed after. "Achoo," he sneezed.

"A bartender's wages must be higher last time I checked," Laura teased Greg as they walked up to the restaurant. He had picked her up in a Jag and she was giving him playful grief on it.
Greg ran to catch up after locking the car, he fretted over the tiniest scratch near the left headlight. He ran up the steps and made it just in time to open the door for her. "I do other things," he explained vaguely.
Laura followed his gaze to the street. When she saw the familiar royal car and the men in gray, she cursed her father. Charles promised!
"Ignore them," she told Greg taking him by the arm.
It was a pizza parlor. Gregory took the shawl off her shoulders and let it hang over her arm. "Thank you," Laura giggled.
"I'll make sure our table is ready." He went up to the maitre d' and spoke in a low voice.
Laura's eyes went around. The light was dim. Wire lights on the ceiling edge, the kind like the movie theatre has to line its aisles. A sole candle burning over an empty champagne bottle served as decorative centerpieces on red and white checkered table clothes. A violin trio played softly on a corner stage. Her gaze went to Greg's bottom.
It was quite a nice bottom actually. Why hadn't she thought so before?
Greg slipped the man in front a bill. "Your Highness," he came up to her. He breathed the esteemed title and took both of her hands in his. He made an awkward bow and he extended his arm to the direction of the tables.
Laura laughed, covering her mouth with her hand, at the show.
They were brought to a corner booth in the back.
When they were alone Greg asked. "Do you like this, Your Highness?" He waited for her approval.
"Grateful," Laura smiled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
"If we were at a center table I'd be busy worrying that someone would walk by the glass window and taking a picture."
"Well," Greg opened the menu. "People like to take pictures of beautiful things."
Laura found herself blushing.
"Are Monsieur and Madame ready to order?" the waiter came by, pen ready and poised.
"Um, I know what I want." He looked at his date. His tone trailed off as he debated on whether to call her Your Highness or Laura.
"We'll share a large Hawaiian and a pitcher of rootbeer." Laura saw his eyes grow wide.
When the waiter left, Greg's mouth dropped. "How'd you know?"
Laura just raised her shoulders coyly and her eyes twinkled.
Gregory Wallace, anonymous bartender to England's rich and famous, was on Cloud 9. How could he ever come down?

"Go to sleep!" Harry yelled at his brother. William's light was on and it seeped into his room. Harry's head throbbed at the extra effort he had to use. He turned on his side and groaned.
William turned off his light but didn't go to sleep. He looked up at the ceiling. This Greg person... what attracted Laura to him?
If it didn't work out would it be proof that royalty and commoners don't mix? If Greg defiled Laura's honor would he and Harry be able to perform their brotherly duty and be able to avenge it?
William sighed.
He hoped Greg wasn't another Robert. Laura seemed to take a liking to this fellow. He wouldn't be able to stand it if Laura's heart got broken.

Two and a half pitchers of rootbeer as well as three quarters of a large pizza later.
"You want to be a doctor..." Laura took a bite and smiled smugly.
The cheese stringed from her mouth.
"Wow," Greg almost choked. He threw the crust piece he was holding into the made pile.
Laura was enjoying Greg's astonishment. She hoped she wasn't going overboard. "How'd you know I'd like this instead of a fancy restaurant?" Laura asked. She stirred her drink with her straw before taking a sip.
Greg refilled her glass with the pitcher. "It is more for me actually. Being in a restaurant reminds me of the seven-course dinner parties I have to service in." He shrugged, and smiled humbly. "But I'm happy that you're pleased." He tapped the edge of the table with his palms like bongo drum. "Dessert?" He offered.
"Chocolate chocolate-chip ice-cream for you..." Laura predicted his favourite. "I'll have fresh fruit sprinkled with sugar."
I'm in love! Greg laughed. He called a waiter over and ordered them.
Laura gazed at him with utter devotion.
"This is strange," Greg's brow furrowed. "I know we've talked before, but we didn't say anything. Why do I feel like I know you already?" Greg asked.
Laura's heart leapt as she clasped her hands by the side of her cheek.
Oh Greggie, it's because you do!
Greg kissed her.
"Mr. Wallace you're under arrest."
Laura opened her eyes to see officers pulling Greg away from her. Handcuffs were taken out. The chair Greg had been sitting in screeched and tipped over. Laura stood up. "What's going on?" she asked, looking at the grey men behind the officers.
Greg looked at her apologetically, his body twisted the officer roughly handcuffed him behind his back.
"C'mon, let's go," the other policeman ordered pushing the boy on his back. The bowed respectfully to Laura. "Excuse us, Your Highness."
Your Highness??? the question was stirred in everyone's mind as they watched the scene. Yes, yes, they knew when she went in she had looked familiar. The munched on their pizza, chewing with great care, and stole glances when they couldn't resist it any longer.
"Wait. Hold on,"Laura sputtered, going after the uniformed men. "Where are you taking him?"
"Jail," was the answer.
"Why? What did he do?" Did she miss something? Where does it say in the Windsor survival handbook that it was illegal to kiss royalty?
One of the officers pulled her aside while the other placed Greg in the back seat of the vehicle. Laura yanked her arm back. "Greg!"
She saw his face in the half rolled up window.
"Hey! It's Princess Laura!" someone yelled from the sidewalk.
Immediately, photographers crowded around her and took her picture.
(You'd think the officers would help her out, right about now.)
"Look this way, darlin'!" Click. Flash.
"That's it, Luv." Click. Flash.
"Look at the devastated expression. What a gold mine!" Click. Click. Flash.
Click... Click... Click...
Laura couldn't even hear the sound of the siren as it drove down the street. The spiraling red growing fainter in the night. With Greg gone, Laura shielded her face with her arms and retreated back inside the parlor.
The grey men looked up from their padded chairs.
Saying nothing to them, Laura went across the restaurant and out the backdoor.