After the Snow by Susannah Constantine

Author:Susannah Constantine
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2017-11-23T05:00:00+00:00

They stood outside the library, giggling nervously.

‘Oh, look at you both!’ exclaimed Princess Margaret, looking stunning in the long, bright-blue dress. Turquoise and diamond earrings hung from her ears to match her necklace.

The girls curtseyed and the Princess gave them both a kiss. She still wore her hair in a curled bob and she had perfectly manicured nails, brightly painted lips and lashes stiff with mascara.

Esme’s father said that she had the ability to make ‘hell freeze over’ if she wished, but Esme had only seen her other side, her wicked sense of humour and mischievous tricks. She loved to sing and dance, to drink and to smoke, and Esme adored her. Just like she and Lexi, the Princess found immense pleasure in being naughty and stirring things up.

‘Well, you look so grown up, I think you’d better stand in for my ladies-in-waiting, tonight,’ she said. ‘Shall we give you a name each?’

‘Oh, yes!’ said Lexi. ‘I want to be Dolly Parton as my boobs are starting to grow.’

‘Let’s hope they grow more than your mother’s ever did,’ said the Princess, smiling. ‘And you, Esme, darling?’

‘Dusty Springfield,’ she said, gleefully. ‘She’s Mummy’s favourite singer.’

Esme wished her mother were here. She would have worn her beautiful lilac Norman Hartnell dress that made her look so pretty. Her father would have brought up her precious jewellery from the safe in the cellar and Esme would have helped her choose which pieces to wear.

‘Wonderful. So, shall we go and face the rabble?’ said the Princess, eyes glinting wickedly.

Flanked by the two girls, each looking the very image of their mother, she held both of their hands and began to walk towards the sound of chattering voices and clinking glasses.

Esme knew that Princess Margaret liked to make a grand entrance, sweeping into large rooms of people with her jewels sparkling in the light. She braced herself, being in the spotlight was new to her.

Entering the room, the Earl strode over to greet the Princess, running his hand through his immaculate hair. It reminded Esme of a soldier’s – swept-back, slick and gleaming. He tugged his starched cuffs out from the sleeves of his smoking jacket.

‘Ma’am. You look marvellous. How wonderful to have you here,’ he said, kissing her on each cheek then bowing his head to look at Esme and Lexi. He smiled. ‘And who are these two beauties? I don’t believe we’ve met before.’

‘May I introduce to you my new ladies-in-waiting: Lady Dusty Springfield and Lady Dolly Parton?’ She turned to the girls, ‘And this is His Lordship, The Earl of Culcairn,’ said the Princess.

‘How do you do, Your Lordship?’ giggled Lexi.

‘It’s a pleasure to meet you, ladies,’ said the Earl.

‘Oh no, the pleasure is all theirs, Henry – isn’t it, ladies?’ she said.

Lexi and Esme proudly smiled up at the Earl.

Princess Margaret opened her bag to retrieve a cigarette and placed it in a jewelled holder with the grace of a prima ballerina.

‘I must introduce them to your wife, Henry,’ she said,

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