The Royal Romance - The Valtoria Diaries

Some Jimmy magic

"My husband could not have killed anyone," Jen (or should that be Helen?) exclaimed. "I mean, look at him." She gestured to Bertrand slash Harold. "And, he's an accountant. Accountants are not trained killers."

"Someone in this room is a killer," Rick (or maybe that should be George?) argued. "And it's as likely to be him as anyone." He stood up, and went to get a drink from the trolley.

Time to find out George's story, Maxwell thought. Or was that Jimmy thinking? Yes, it was Jimmy. Channel your inner Jimmy. Be fabulous. He strutted over to meet Rick by the drink trolley.

"Hello darling. You're looking magnificent today."

Rick smiled and shook his head. "As are you, Jimmy. As are you."

"Oh, thank you darling. Mwah." He kissed him on the cheek. "So, where were you when that poor girl was killed? Oh, it's such a tragedy. She had the most beautiful dress on as she lay dying.." He gestured to Hana, who was observing in the corner of the room, tight lipped.

"I'm more intrigued to know where you were, Jimmy." Rick shot him a glare.

"Oh? Oh well. I was with our little Angel the whole time. One of us has to look after her. You'd be surprised to learn that my hunk of a husband over there is not the most maternal. He has his uses, though." Maxwell raised his eyebrows and wiggled them at Rick.

And there it was. A genuine smile from Rick in his direction, the first in months. Followed by a laugh. Yessss.

"Ahem. But I know from my experience as Angel's teacher that you were at odds with Miss Sterner over Angel's treatment at school."

He feigned shock. "How could you know that?"

"You thought that Angel was treated differently at school because she came from an unconventional family. Not by me and the children in her class, but by Miss Sterner. She singled her out in the corridor, punished her unfairly. I noticed it too."

"You did?"

"I did."

"Then why didn't you say anything?"

"I did." Rick smiled wistfully. "I raised my concern to Miss Sterner, but she would not admit to it. I considered going to the Chair of Governors. But she said she would dismiss me if I did that."

"Like she dismissed my Eddie? Oh man! She was a monster! In a noteworthy dress, of course.. I must go tell him. Thank you George. Thank you thank you thank you.." He shot Rick a genuine, serious look. "Thank you."

"What are friends for?" He smiled sincerely.

Maxwell squealed and ran off towards where Jen (currently known as Helen) and Bertrand (aka Harold) were sitting.

"George says he's my friend!" He jumped up and down with excitement.

Jen looked worried, and he wasn't sure if she was acting or not. That wasn't the first time he'd thought that this week. Scratch that. Jen looked worried. So she was obviously worried.

"Don't worry, Jen or Helen, everything is fine."

She beamed at him. "Helen is worried that you have been talking to George, for an undisclosed reason that you need to try and probe out of her. Jen is... curious as to how things went with Rick just now?"