Playing the Royal Game

But we’ll get there, I promise. In our own sweet time.

Love,

Angel

MATTEO & IZZY...

From:

To:

Subject: Did you find my shoes?

I’m SO sorry I left without saying goodbye last night. I wasn’texactly planning on almost giving birth right in the middle of the Rock ’n’Royal concert—that wasn’t part of my performance! I was trying to get to the VIPbox to see you before I flew to the hospital. But Matteo said that although he’sresigned to being married to an exhibitionist he drew the line at me givingbirth on stage with a global audience of millions watching. LOL. At least Imanaged to finish singing before I went into labour and it gave him an excuse tobe macho and show off his flying skills in an emergency.

Anyway, I took my shoes off backstage because my feet werekilling me after all that prancing and gyrating and I wondered if you’d foundthem? I did text you but it was all a bit frantic and Matteo just didn’t get whyI was bothering with a pair of shoes when I was about to give birth. I told himthey were my favourite Jimmy Choos and he just looked at me blankly, which justgoes to show that men are from Mars and women are from Bloomingdale’s. Pleasetell me you picked them up—they’re the ones with the tiny bow that you borrowedfor that charity thing you did with Alex?

And now we’ve got the important stuff out of the way() I need to tell you that you’re officially Aunty Allegra! Daisy RoseAlysson was born at 5:30 this morning and has been yelling ever since. Matteothinks she has a louder voice than mine and is probably going to be an operasinger. Do you love the name? I’ll tell you about it when I see you. It’s aprivate thing between us (you know my favorite daisy necklace?) and I know theking is going to frown (doesn’t he always?) because he’d rather we called herArabella or something suitably regal, but we love it and Matteo loves her. I’venever seen anyone so besotted. And guess what? I was in the birthing pool (sooorelaxing) and suddenly this song came into my head and I’m yelling at Matteo toget me a pen and paper because there’s no way I wanted to forget it.Surreal.

Hope you enjoyed the concert. Matteo thinks it’s going to raisemore money this year than all the previous years put together. Still can’tbelieve I was the headline act. All my dreams rolled into one. Thanks so muchfor coming. Hope you enjoyed the rest of it.

Tell me about you and come see me soon.

Love,

Iz

xxxx

RODRIGUEZ & CARLOTTA...

Sent from Rodriguez Anguiano’s    phone:

Rodriguez: Rescue me. Am at the mercy of Señora Garcia.She won’t stop talking to me. And I think she wants to dance.

Carlotta: Aren’t you going to oblige her?

Rodriguez: The last time I did that I barely escapedunscathed.

Carlotta: And who is it you’re pretending to text rightnow?

Rodriguez: Someone very important. The Queen of SantaChristobel. That’s you.

Carlotta: I’m aware! :)

Rodriguez: Aren’t you going to rescue me?

Carlotta: As sexy as I find the idea of rescuing you, I’mfar too busy. Eating lukewarm shrimp and enjoying the party. Where’s your senseof fun?

Rodriguez: I left it back at home with the children.

Carlotta: It’s not so bad to have a night out.

Rodriguez: Being at home in bed with my wife is a lotmore fun than these stupid parties.

Carlotta: Your wife feels the same way. In fact, rumorhas it she was spotted slipping out of the ballroom and is now waiting for youin the cabana by the beach.

Rodriguez: Really?

Carlotta: Really. I’ve been waiting for a while now,Rodriguez. Don’t keep me waiting any longer.

Rodriguez: On my way. But you know this could cause quitethe scandalous headline.

Carlotta: I’m always up for a little scandal with myhusband.

LEO AND ANNA...

Dear Lucy,

Today you came into the world, and already Ihardly know how I ever lived without you. We named you Lucinda, after my mother,but Lucy is more fitting right now. You are so very tiny for even that shortname. I’m writing to you, baby girl, because I have so much to say and I’m notsure how good I’ll be at saying it. But I want you to know that I’m going totry. Every day of your life, I’m going to try to be the best father I can be. Ilove you, sweetheart, more than I ever thought possible. You and your mother areeverything to me. The smartest thing I’ve ever done was to insist your motherget into a plane with me after I met her.