Diana was reading a book by her favorite novelist, Barbara Cartland, when her secretary delivered unexpected and, above all, unhappy news from Charles. That Charles had decided to cut short their family vacation to fly home earlier than expected.
She felt her breathing catch slightly and the disappointment that was no longer a strange feeling to her. It had not only been the joy of her second honeymoon but a much needed escape from her everyday life and the pursuit of the paparazzi even if it was only supposed to be for two weeks it was still a time out for her. Enjoying the full, soothing warmth of the Italian sun, which wasn't felt that often in the cool corners of their manor house, and certainly not in Balmoral, and especially the laughter of their boys, who ran across the beach and could play together like normal children. Images that she could hopefully burn into her memory corridors forever.
"There is an urgent matter that requires our attention," Charles said over and over in her head like an echo. Certainly the protocol was important. The social events, the meetings and the many scheduling responsibilities that come with their high status. But parts of her finally want some sanctuary from this mess, and this meeting that was supposedly so important to Charles seemed so easily canceled and avoided.
"I see. Thank you" Diana said to her secretary and hid her disappointment behind a gentle smile. Diana knew Charles and there was no point in protesting, she knew that. But she didn't suppress her disappointment, nor did she push it aside. She knew that it was valuable to feel her own deep emotions and above all to be able to understand them and she went to Charles with resolute steps.
Maybe she couldn't protest against him and couldn't change her mind either, but she can clearly show him how little she liked his upcoming plans and went resolutely to Charles.
"What's this about us going home?" Silently she prayed it was just a bad joke, nothing serious but she knew Charles well enough to know it wasn't and that he really meant it.
Especially when Charles sighed "It turns there's a...a diary confliction through. It is not my fault Diana and I have to get back. It is important."
Diana watched him disappointed "we're supposed to be here for two weeks."
Charles gave her a discouraged look that showed protesting wasn't going to be worthwhile. "Yes I know Diana. But plans change! I have a commitent at Oxford University," he told her, silently hoping his wife would take it as an explanation, but he knew her better than that.
"it isn't the university. It's a summer school for tourists. It is not essential for us!" Diana tried to convince him otherwise
"it is to me!"
Diana folded her arms slightly, "This is our holiday. It's a rare opportunity for us to be together with the boys as a family. I know you struggled with that, which is why I agreed to your bring your friends along to entertain you . And I even agreed to do the photo call today, requested by your people so the lie could be paraded to the world's media about what an adoring husband you are, on one condition" Diana fell silent and Charles raised an eyebrow.
"what's that?" Charles didn't know what he was getting himself into with his question, but he at least wanted to hear it.
"that you actually are one!" Diana said loudly with a disappointed voice trying to make it clear to him how he behaved towards her and the boys and she tried to suppress the coming tears which obviously didn't help her when she noticed how her cheek was getting wet "I'll pack now, but not because I'm okay with that, but because I don't want the boys to witness our argument".
Charles nodded slightly in silent agreement. "good." despondently he looked after his wife while she angrily walked away and followed her example and also went to his cabin to start packing and he kept having images of Diana and the argument in his head so that he couldn't concentrate on it anymore could do what he did.
Diana went to her cabin discouraged after the argument and felt the sadness overwhelm her. She had vowed to put everything aside, at least for a while, to enjoy quality family time.
Now that she had firmly convinced herself that this vacation was a glimmer of hope that would bring them closer together again, that faint hope seemed to be fading as well. Saddened and resigned, Diana started stuffing her belongings into her trunks, silently praying that Charles was feeling as bad as she is right now, but it's probably him who's looking forward to finally getting away from them, and probably in too to run into Camilla's arms. Diana sighed and watched the sun begin to set, tears streaming down her cheeks.
