This story is set after "By the Lake", three months have passed but unfortunately things aren't going perfectly. Be warned – you may not like Joe, or Clarisse for that matter, for some of it – sorry!!!!! I tried to imagine how Joe might feel having gone from Head of Security to husband of a royal, and the problems that he may face adjusting.
Part 1
Joseph watched from his vantage point in the garden as Charlotte hurried across the courtyard, he wondered what the rush was and once again resented the fact he no longer wore his earpiece. You knew a hell of a lot more about the events in the palace when you were part of the 'communication circle'. Closing his book he got to his feet and decided to have a wander inside, it was cold out here anyway, far too cold for sitting in the garden. November had arrived swiftly and with it frosty mornings and chilly nights.
Passing by Charlotte in the foyer he almost stopped to chat to her but she looked harassed, Mia had been away for the past week and was due back at anytime. Part of him wished he joined his 'Granddaughter' on her trip to San Francisco, he missed being around her lively attitude, Clarisse was always so preoccupied, so busy. Unfortunately their honeymoon seemed a lifetime ago, she'd tried bless her. The first few weeks back in the palace were bliss but gradually she'd slipped away from him again, distanced herself with work and commitments. It wouldn't have bothered him that much, afterall he'd expected it, but the fact was now he was retired life was quiet. And though he hated to admit it, fairly boring at times.
He'd never been one for low-key activities, painting, reading, pottering around the garden as Clarisse did on her days off, it had never appealed to him. There was only so much basketball you could play on your own and snatching the odd fifteen minutes with the security team did little to break up his long days.
He opened his book up as he walked the lengthy corridors and once again looked over the letter he'd hidden in there. He wasn't sure what would have been worse, receiving a letter from his brother that badmouthed both he and the life he was living or what had actually happened, a simple return of his own letter. It was the third time Joe had written to his brother in a month, each letter asking him to bring his family and stay for a while in the palace. Now he had the capability to do such things Joe wanted to share his good fortune with his family, he could think of nothing better. It had started in late September, he'd taken a few days alone and flown home to visit his little brother Rico, they'd argued and in the end Joe had flown home disheartened and crestfallen. He never told Clarisse of course as far as she knew the family were happy for him and simply too busy to visit. No point in dropping his family's hang-ups about the aristocracy on her shoulders, she had enough on her mind as it was.
Mia was flourishing as Queen but Clarisse was still on hand, still the power behind the crown. He was glad he'd been around to see such changes as women sitting in parliament and the grand opening of the children's shelter at the winter castle. He'd always known just how much Mia was capable of giving, and how well she was going to perform as Queen and to witness the growth first hand pleased him greatly. The only drawback being that Mia was still learning, and still had a lot to learn and Clarisse wasn't about to step down and disappear when her help was required.
He snapped his book shut and turned the corner to Clarisse's office, standing aside as two maids came rushing out, he watched from a distance at the goings-on in the room. People fussing, working, answering calls and in the centre Clarisse, calm and serene at her desk, organising the chaos. She noticed him by the door and smiled, just slightly, not that anybody but he would notice. He took it as a welcome sign anyhow and went in, straight to her desk, to her side, bending down and whispering in her ear.
"It's almost 2."
"It is?" She looked at him questioningly.
"We planned lunch in the garden at 1."
She folded her hands together. "Oh, I'm sorry."
He shook his head dismissing it as trivial. "Doesn't matter, I ate alone in the end." He seemed to be doing that a lot lately.
"Can I enquire whether madam will be free for dinner?" He tried to sound light hearted but it annoyed him that she was beckoning a young intern over at the same time and giving out instructions regarding Mia's return.
"Oh Joseph I don't know, I just... Thank you Alice, could you take these through to Mia's office please, they require her signature alongside mine."
Joe stood up, "it doesn't matter, you're busy, I'll leave you alone."
He left quickly and headed for the stables, perhaps a ride would clear his mind.
Clarisse didn't make it for dinner and in the end Joe found himself eating in the small kitchen with the staff, it was the most pleasant evening he'd had in a long time. The camaraderie was still present, the jokes still passed around the table and although he was 'on the other side' now it didn't seem to put them off. He was now the butt of many of the jokes rather than the instigator of them that was all. His evening was cut short when Charlotte entered the room looking for him.
"Her majesty wishes to speak with you Sir." She was too formal by half at times Charlotte.
"Joe, I told you last week I'm still Joe." He said getting up from the table and dropping his cards. "Sorry, duty calls, thanks for the game guys."
Charlotte left him at the top of the stairs and he made his way to Clarisse's suite – well his suite aswell now, he supposed.
She was already changed and relaxing by the fire with a book when he got there.
"Well, I've been summoned." He quipped raising his arms to announce his arrival.
She looked up sharply, "where were you?"
"Playing cards as it happens, with some of the staff." He sat down on the couch, folding his arms behind his head and closing his eyes.
"Oh."
He couldn't see her look but sensed the disapproval in her voice.
"Well the thing is Joseph, I have to go to London."
At this he sat bolt upright. "You do, when?"
"Next week, only for a couple of days, but I was thinking, now Mia is back we could take a few days there for ourselves. Extend the trip."
He couldn't help but smile broadly. "That would be wonderful Clarisse, just great."
"Good, I hoped you'd like the idea. You did promise me a shopping trip afterall."
"I did didn't I."
"And with Christmas coming up, well, I thought we could make the most of the week. See the sights, take in a show."
His spirits lifted immediately. "Perfect, I've been looking forward to having you to myself again."
"I know."
She was interrupted by a call from Charlotte wanting to clarify dates and times and whom Clarisse was going to meet with and who she wasn't. It didn't bother him though; they were going on a trip. Perhaps now they'd get some quality time together.
It was only a short flight to the city but Clarisse dosed on the plane; Joseph attempted to watch a movie but bored of it pretty quickly. It was difficult being right there with her yet knowing that somebody else was 'watching' her in his place. Obviously not watching her in exactly the same way he used to, god forbid, but still it was quite a shock to find he wasn't the first in line to protect her.
Adapting had been tricky, he still stepped in front of her when somebody got too close or posed any kind of threat. It had turned out embarrassing as it was, an incident at a walk-about had resulted in him barging straight into George, one of the new members of the security detail. Clarisse had smiled sympathetically as he was forced to step aside and allow the job to be done by somebody else. They hadn't spoken about it but it stung. Regulated, that's how it felt, still a step behind her but no longer useful.
The flight was smooth and they landed at Heathrow around 3 in the afternoon. Clarisse was escorted quickly to her car and Joseph followed leisurely, stepping out of the plane and smiling to himself. Greeted by rain, England never failed to deliver. Yet he'd always enjoyed their visits here in the past, they were treated - well like royalty. Clarisse often dined at Buckingham Palace, that was some perk to the job, he'd seen some of the most magnificent sights of the world at her side. He wondered how he would feel now, sitting by her side at that enormous table, the Queen of England engaging him in conversation. What would his Mother think? Bloody hell what would he say, what if he came across as some dumb former security guard who knew nothing? Keep smiling Joseph, keep smiling.
Ignoring the few members of the press waiting for their arrival he climbed into the car leaving Clarisse to answer whatever questions were thrown at her. She was better at handling things like that than he, besides he was exhausted. Roll on the next few days so they could simply be a couple enjoying a trip together. This political stuff could drive him crazy after a while.
Lavish was the only word Joseph could think of to describe it. He'd never seen the extent of the apartment Clarisse always stayed in, now he had. He could swim in the bathtub; he could probably roll over in bed in the middle of the night and never even touch her. There must have been more money spent on the upkeep of this hotel than on a small country, he tried to appear as casual as possible when they were shown to the top floor. But as the manager kept Clarisse talking he dug his hands in his pockets and wandered through the other rooms, meeting George in the office as he briefed Toby, a brand new recruit, on the aspects of checking the office for potential threats. He sat down in there and listened as George listed off the many things they were expected to look for. He couldn't fault the man's attention to detail.
They were dismissed instantly as Clarisse entered the room, taking a seat at the desk she turned in her chair to face him.
"Well, thank you for that."
"For what?" He asked dumbfounded.
"Stopping to greet the manger with me, he's an old friend, I wanted you to at least say hello."
"I did say hello." He leant back on the couch, draping his arms along the back of it.
"And little else. And at the airport, you couldn't stand behind me as I met the press?"
"What did you need me for, George was there."
"I meant as my husband, not my security."
He shrugged. "I didn't think I had anything relevant to say."
"But your support would have been nice."
"You know you have it."
She watched dejected as he rose and moved to the window, the rain still fell, snaking down the glass and obscuring the view of the traffic below. Somehow it made it appear poetic.
"Well, are you tired, would like to rest for a while before dinner?"
"Dinner?" He asked watching her face in the glass.
"Yes, we have reservations this evening."
"With somebody important I'm guessing."
"If you mean important in the sense of trade negotiations then yes, a polite dinner can do wonders for easing more, shall we say political matters."
"Yeah, I know. I've watched you work for many years. You could have warned me earlier."
"I thought I did."
His clipped tone was starting to aggravate her, but she would overlook it for the moment. Perhaps he was simply irritable after the flight.
"Why don't you go take a shower and try and relax."
"Have you seen that bathroom?" He asked spinning round.
She smiled brightly. "Impressive isn't it."
He raised an eye. "Over the top I'd say."
She sighed. "Joseph what's wrong?"
"Nothing." He shook his head. "Nothing, I'll go take a shower and change. What time am I to report for duty?"
She fiddled with the bracelet on her wrist. "7:30 but I wish you wouldn't keep saying that. Especially in front of the staff..."
He stared at her blankly.
"I know what you say Joseph, I'm summoning you, it might be a joke but I wish you wouldn't say it. Lord knows what they must think."
"You forget 'they' are my friends, or used to be." He loosened his tie as he crossed the room. "7:30, plenty of time for a drink in the bar before we leave."
Clarisse closed her eyes for a second and drew a calming breath before picking up the telephone and asking to be connected to the palace in Genovia. A brief chat with Mia might ease the tension building behind her eyes.
As disasters went Clarisse would be hard pressed to find one that would match up to tonight's events. Sure there had been no raised voices or broken dishes but the atmosphere surrounding dinner had been temperamental to say the least. Joseph, for no apparent reason that she could see, had taken an instant dislike to Arthur, one of them men they had met for dinner. Every opportunity he got he either stared the man down or offered some cynical response to his anecdotes. At one point she thought she might have to kick him under the table if he didn't calm down.
The journey home was frosty and silent; Clarisse tapped her fingernails along the edge of the door biting her tongue until they were alone. The closing of the apartment door couldn't come quick enough. Joseph dropped his jacket on the back of a chair and crossed the room leaving her there fuming – did he think it had gone well?
She followed him into the bathroom, her heels clipping the tiled floor, and watched as he rinsed his face. He seemed stunned when he looked up and caught her eye.
"Well?" She said as calmly as she could.
"Well what?" He responded burying his face in a towel.
"You can't possibly think tonight's behaviour was acceptable."
"I'm not your child Clarisse."
"But you are my husband, and I know this is new to you but come on Joseph you know how these things work."
"I'm not sure what I did that was so god damn terrible."
"You were downright rude to the man. You didn't have one positive comment all night."
He shrugged. "I told you your dress looked nice."
She closed her eyes biting back her ire. "Joseph, at the moment your reasons for tonights behaviour are known only to you.""I didn't like the way he looked at you." He said flatly walking past her.
She caught his arm and held him back. "You didn't like the way... he looked at me."
"No. I didn't."
"Oh dear god, tell me this isn't some jealous streak rearing its head. Surely we're beyond that by this stage in our lives."
He shook her off. "I think I need a drink."
"Haven't you had enough?" She called after him only to be greeted by the slamming of the door as he left the apartment.
Downstairs Joseph cradled his glass until the liquid inside started to warm. He wasn't about to inform Clarisse he had sat at one corner of the bar with the same solitary whisky for two hours. He was waiting until it was too late to talk and she would be in bed.
What the hell was happening to him? Had he really disappointed her that badly tonight, embarrassed her even? Tomorrow would bring grovelling of some kind for her no doubt, to the men at dinner not him. He downed the contents of his glass, he didn't particularly enjoy whisky but it seemed an apt choice for an old man who was arguing with his wife. The fact his wife happened to be the former Queen of a country was a small sideline...
On the walk back to the apartment, he took the stairs to use up more time, he desperately tried to recall the feelings he'd had but a few months before. So much hope and expectation and dreams. He thought she'd shared them too. Perhaps she did, perhaps this was simply a blip in the relationship, an adjustment period. If it was he prayed it would pass quickly, he wasn't sure he could face many more months like the ones that had passed.
Noting Toby was by the door, and looking a little drowsy, he quickly said his good evenings and went inside. He'd expected darkness to greet him but instead found the lamps still on in the room, hesitantly moving through to the lounge ready to face her wrath he instead found her sleeping on the couch. She'd waited for him for the past two hours. Her glasses rested on her nose, a book in her lap.
He expertly removed the glasses and marked the page for her before placing the book on the coffee table. He bent down next to her and brushed a finger down her cheek, god she was beautiful, she could take his breath away. Guilt over his behaviour hit like a ton of bricks as he gently slid his arm beneath her knees and lifted her into his arms. She moaned a little before resting her head against his chest.
The bedroom was still unfamiliar and he almost tripped on the step up to it, she never murmured though until he placed her on the bed and began to cover her sleeping body. She said his name, turned over and snuggled down into the thick quilts.
What the hell was he thinking? This was all he ever wanted, deal with the shit that goes with it and think yourself lucky. It was as simple as that in the end, wasn't it?
I don't want to talk about it, how you broke my heart. But if I stay here just a little bit longer, if I stay here won't you listen to my heart. Won't you listen to my heart...