He looked up again at the faces fixed on his. ‘You all know that I’m a doctor. My greatest wish is that no mother feels as if they have no option but to give up their baby. But I respect an individual’s right to choose. Things have changed in the last few years in Corinez, times are hard, and a good friend of mine—’ he didn’t mention Arissa’s name ‘—enlightened me to the safe haven cot scheme in their country. This scheme is adopted by many countries around the world. France, the USA, Italy, Hungary, Russia, Japan, Switzerland, the Philippines and Temur Sapora in Malaysia, to name but a few. They all run on the same principles that a woman can surrender her baby, no questions asked, with no fear of prosecution.’
He took a few moments as he scanned the faces in the room. ‘I wish that we didn’t have to do this. But—’ he took another breath ‘—the fact of the matter is, we do.’ He held out his hand. ‘And we decided that here, at the fire and rescue centre, was the best place to do this.’
He gave a nod as he could see questions forming on the lips of the listeners. ‘Our cot has been installed in such a way that a woman can leave her baby someplace warm and safe, and leave without any interference.’
He waited a second. ‘We want you to help us get the word out about the new safe haven cot in Corinez. We want everyone to know they can leave their baby in a safe place if they need to do so.’
People started murmuring to each other. One of them shouted out, ‘What part did Dr Cotter play in this?’
He could deflect the question. But that wasn’t what he wanted to do. ‘Dr Cotter has given us the benefit of her own experience of installing a safe haven cot, and has briefed our staff on their roles.’
Other questions started being shouted from all directions but Philippe raised his hand. ‘Actually, I’m not finished. I have a further statement you might be interested in.’
His glance went automatically to Arissa, who was watching him from the station kitchen door.
He cleared his throat. ‘You all know the challenge that lies ahead. Corinez’s healthcare is not currently fit for purpose—it doesn’t serve the needs of our population. This safe haven work today is merely the tip of the iceberg.’
He paused to let the listeners consider this. ‘My love for my country has always been strong. You all know my intention has been to return to Corinez and take up post as part of our health committee. I have spent the last few years preparing for this role. But recent events have caused me to rethink.’
He kept his gaze steady, fixing on a few in the room who started to shift in their seats uncomfortably.
‘Press intrusion is something that my family, and many other royal families across Europe, experience on a daily basis. I have always prided myself on the good relationship that I thought our family had with the press. But the last few days have made me re-evaluate what that means.
‘This week I took pride in bringing the woman that I love—a dedicated and competent doctor—to our country and showing her its beauty and introducing her to the people. Dr Cotter is a private person, she wasn’t brought up in the media’s glare and has no interest in being there. I assured her when she came here, her privacy would be protected.’
He took a long slow breath. ‘It seems I was wrong.’ Even though he was emotional he kept his voice as steady as possible. Arissa had moved. She had taken a few steps from the edge of the door towards him. He’d just told the world out loud that he loved her, and her eyes were huge.
‘I love my country, I always have and I always will, but I’m a person like everyone else in this room—I’m not just a prince, and I believe that one of the greatest gifts you can find as a human being is love. And after thirty-one years, I’ve found it.’
This time he turned to face her. He couldn’t say any of these words without looking her in the eye, because they were all for her.
‘I’ve found a woman who makes my heart sing. I’ve found someone that got to know me as Philippe—not as a prince. I’ve found the face I want to see every morning when I wake up, and every night before I close my eyes. I’ve found the person I want to spend the rest of my life with, and I’m willing to make sacrifices in order to be with her.’
Arissa’s mouth opened. She took a few steps forward.
‘The tasks I have ahead are huge—a lifetime’s work. My plan was to start—with the agreement of the health committee—on introducing free maternity services within Corinez. And what’s abundantly clear is that if I’m to do those tasks, I need the love and support of someone by my side who understands exactly the breadth of my role. I want to work in partnership with the person I love, because I want this to last a lifetime.’
He swallowed, his throat becoming tight, and turned back to face the press. ‘Yesterday, we learned that some of Arissa’s previous patients had been approached by the media. These issues have been raised with the Independent Press Standards Organisation. Patient-doctor privilege and confidentiality is sacred. No doctor would ever want to expose their patients to invasion of their privacy. Arissa came here because of me. The press is interested in her because of me. She now feels, because of this intrusion, she won’t be able to function as a doctor. And if she wants to leave, then I’ll be leaving with her.’
He heard her small cry to his side as the press erupted in front of him.
‘You can’t do this!’ one of the reporters shouted.
‘What will the King say? The Queen will be furious!’ shouted another.
‘Who approached the patients?’ said another, looking angrily around. ‘We’d never do something like that.’
Philippe didn’t hesitate. He looked from one to the other. ‘I can, and I will. I have spoken to the Queen and have her complete approval. Like any mother on this planet, her overwhelming wish is that her child is happy. The rest of the royal family have given me their unwavering support. Do we really want to examine what the effects of the press attention have resulted in for other royal families? Arissa isn’t here to be a princess. She’s here to be a doctor. I suggest that we let her.’
He nodded to the reporter who’d shouted out last. ‘And I thank you for respecting patient confidentiality.’
The reporter glanced at his neighbours. ‘Any self-respecting reporter would do the same. Let’s face it,’ he said, ‘we’ll all be a patient ourselves at some point.’
Philippe’s voice had gathered strength. He was determined. He could see a few panicked expressions.
‘Philippe.’ The voice was almost a whisper.
She was at his side, her eyes wet with tears. Her arms folded across her body. ‘You can’t give up being a prince for me,’ she said with a shaking voice.
He smiled and stepped down, sliding his hand into her hair. ‘I can. And I will. Tell me where you want to go and I’ll come with you. I’ll work anywhere in the world. If you want to go back to Temur Sapora permanently, then I’ll come with you.’
He could hear the noise roaring behind him. The multiple conversations. Reporters phoning their editors and TV stations.
He ignored every single part of it. The only thing that was important was the woman standing straight in front of him. The woman with the big brown eyes and trembling lips. He didn’t have a single doubt about that—and that told him everything he needed to know.
* * *
It felt as if she were watching a movie of someone else’s life.
Every word peeled back another of the layers she’d shielded herself with.
The role he’d been destined for. Trained for. Prepared for. He was ready to give it all up for her. For love. And he’d told the world.
She’d wanted to talk to him. She’d wanted to talk to him about some of his suggestions for change, and about the possibility of her helping to create a service for kids like the one she’d seen yesterday. The need was there. It could be the next step in the plan. She could make a difference. Wasn’t that what a
doctor was for? As long as her patients were protected. Some of the responses in the room were actually heartening. She could see others agreeing with the reporter who’d spoken out last. Maybe raising this issue out loud today, and the report to the IPSO, would be enough to make this stop.
‘I wish you’d told me about the baby that died, Philippe. I know how much that must have affected you.’
He blinked and nodded. ‘It almost broke me. It’s the reason I ended up in Temur Sapora. I was feeling lost when I got there. I knew the job I had to come back and do, and then...’ he smiled ‘...I met you. And it felt like fate. From the very start. Your story and mine, Arissa.’ He bent forward and whispered in her ear. ‘I know that for others this might seem rash. But nothing about us feels wrong. And I’ll do everything I can to make us work.’ The fingers in one of his hands intertwined with hers.
She stopped thinking about the other people in the room and put her hand up and touched Philippe’s face. ‘You have so much work to do here, Philippe. Who else can do it with the passion and dedication that you can? No one else knows this place like you do.’
‘I won’t have you feeling the way you did the other day. Not because of me. I love you, Arissa. I spoke to my mother last night. She completely understands. She wants me to follow my heart, and my heart is you.’
A tear slid down her cheek. She’d never felt so loved by a man. So wanted. Her hand slid over his. ‘But can you be happy if you aren’t here?’