The Unexpected Journey-A Prince Harry Fan Fic

Chapter Three

Two and a half weeks had passed since the opening of the food bank and Maddie's routine had returned to normal. She was back in her office seeing clients; some adults but mostly children. There were a few times a month when she was called out to a remote location—when there was an instance of localized violence. But things had been mostly in her office. She was finishing up some notes from her last session when Ella arrived. Knocking as she flew through the door, she bounced into the room; full of energy and spirit.

"Hello Ella," Maddie smiled up from her notebook.

"You are never going to believe what I heard at work last night," the smile on Ella's face was wider than Maddie had ever seen.

"Um...Stevenson is finally getting a haircut?"

"No," she shook her head, slipping into the chair across from Maddie's desk. "It is way, way, WAY better than that."

"Oh really?" Maddie tossed her notebook to her desk and shifted her attention to her friend. "Tell me." Ella paused for dramatic effect.

"He's coming back."

"Who is coming back?"

"You know who."

"I really don't," Maddie shook her head with a laugh. "Wait. Is this a character from one of your shows, because, if it is, that is not you know...actual news."

"Hey!" She feigned offense for only a moment before folding her hands in her lap and smirking. "But no."

"Well then..."

"The Prince."

"The..." Maddie felt her heart jump in her chest. "You mean Harry?"

"What did I tell you about calling him that?"

"He told me to call him that!" Maddie rolled her eyes. "And is that who you're talking about when you say..."

"Yes!" Ella threw her hands up in the air. "Yes. Prince Harry of Wales. Returning to Bendal. In one week."

"Wow..." Maddie smiled as she recalled the conversations she had shared with him less than a month ago.

"Yes, wow!" Ella nodded emphatically. "And why do you suppose that is?"

"I have no idea," Maddie shook her head, her mind working overtime; excited that he would be coming back and embarrassed to admit her excitement at such a thing.

"No idea at all?" Ella's head tipped to the side as she studied her friend.

"Nothing," Maddie looked up, catching Ella's pointed gaze. "What? You think this is somehow related to me?"

"Maybe," she shrugged.

"Ella please!" Her eyes grew wide at the absurdity. "I spoke to him for what...an hour?"

"You gave him a tour."

"And how many tours do you think a guy like that goes on in a week Ella?"

"I don't know Madeline," she sighed. "But how many of those tour guides order him to unload a truck load of food?"

"Ella," Maddie's voice dropped in warning. "He doesn't remember me. I promise you. I...I would bet on it."

"How much?" Ella leaned forward.

"He has a foundation! That is housed here! He knows Khenda and Collins! He said he owes her many favors! There is no way..."

"How much?" She seemed un-deterred by Maddie's points.

"What do you want?"

"Fifty dollars—American dollars—says The Prince remembers you."

"Without your interference," Maddie pointed at her friend.