A Royal Love Story

Chapter 20 - New Beginnings

So, I moved on with him. I am really happy that I did. I don’t think that I could have coped with living without him. Work was getting harder and harder, and I was happy to come home to someone in the evening. The press were having a field day, but then again they had been having a field day since we were back together. We weren’t hiding. We went for walks in the park and dinner at restaurants. I was happy it was nearly the end of the school year. I needed a break. Really bad.

It was July, and I had finished, thank God. John hadn’t spoken to me since April, and that put me at ease so much. I had nothing to talk to him about. Harry had had to go back into work to make sure he was still able to fly the helicopter still, but it was only for a couple of hours a day.

We were at a polo match, the official yearly game for Harry and William’s chosen charities. Harry was playing for Sentebale and William was playing for Tusk Trust. It was always was a good day out. Apparently.  Harry was really up for the game. He really wanted to beat William. I was going to stay with Catherine for the duration of the game.

We went to our seats and started talking, well I started talking. “So, Catherine how are you?”

“I’m fine thank you Soph. how are you and Harry going? I hear from him that you are going really well.”

“Yeh, we’re going good. I have finished work for the summer so we will have more time together now.”

Catherine turned to look me in the face, “You haven’t heard yet then?

“No? What?”

“There are talks that Harry will be going back to Afghanistan this summer. He hasn’t told you?”

“No, he hasn’t. Not yet. He said he had something to tell me later.”

“Oh! Soph, I’m sorry you didn’t hear it from him.”

“No, Catherine, don’t worry. I’ll just look really surprised when he tells me later.” Catherine and I shared a giggle and the game started.

I never really understood polo. Catherine was trying to teach me the rule she knew but I couldn’t really get it. When the game had finished, Will and Harry came over on their horses. Harry jumped off and gave me a sweaty hug. “How did I do babe?”

“Amazingly! Although you’ll have to teach me the rules later. AND, you have to have a shower, you’re all sweaty.”

“Thanks. First I have to put Diamond in the stables. Want a ride?” Before I could do anything, he lifted me onto Diamond and we were off to the stables. Just as we got there, Harry whisked me off Diamond and he put her in the stables. I sat on a few bales of hay while he was doing it, and when he had finished he came over and sat next to me. I leant on his shoulder and we just sat there for a while, embracing the silence. “Soph, I have something to tell you.”

“I think I know what it is.”

“You do? Who told you?”

“Catherine may have let it slip.”

“Ok. Babe, I have been told I may have to go to Afghanistan. I don’t know definitely yet.”

“Do you know when you will be going?”

“Whenever I get the call. Once I get the call I will have a month to get ready, to like pack and stuff.”

“Do you have to go? I mean, can’t you just stay here?” I turned my head away from him, afraid I will cry.

“Baby, look at me,” He brought my head so he could look into my eyes. I could feel his deep blue orbs penetrating mine, “I will be ok. I think I will be gone for 6 months. I know that is a long time, but I know you can get through it. I promise.”

“I know I won’t be able to cope without you though Harry. I couldn’t cope without you for however long we were apart, and I know that wasn’t 6 months. We’d better get back too.”

“Yeh. This will be a time of new beginnings for us all.” He kissed me lightly and we walked hand in hand back to Will and Catherine, who were waiting for us.

When we got back to them, Catherine grabbed my arm and pulled me away while Will and Harry were talking, “Soph, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know you never knew. Has he told you?” I looked her straight in the eyes, but I didn’t say anything, I just cried. Catherine brought me into a tight hug and just told me, “Me and Will, we’ll be here for you. I promise.” I just nodded into the crook of her neck while I was still in her grasp. “How long will he be gone for?”

I managed to muster a few mumbles, “6 months.” She hugged me for a few minutes until I had calmed down. I knew I had a friend in Catherine.

The next few weeks went on with worrying about what the next phone call will be about. Then the phone call came. August 17th is the day he is going. One month from now.  I just need to spend as much time with him as I can and maybe those memories will be able to keep me going through the next 6 months that I’m not going to see him. I have loads of things lined up for us to do like go bowling, riding and stuff. I didn’t want to spend one second without him, because I know that second will be lost and I won’t get it back.

I am going to miss him, I’ll admit that, but now I’m scared. I’m scared that he won’t come back the most of all.