page8 (1/2)

‘The palace is staffed round the clock It’s a very convenient place to live,’ Azel imparted with a smile

A tray was brought and Polly tucked happily into a chicken salad She wondered what tiot her head around the tiht ruefully In spite of her sleep, she still felt ridiculously tired and toot back to her interrupted holiday she would feel better able to explain how her unexpected inheritance fro but trouble Her sister would be unsurprised, she thought fondly, for Ellie had a more cynical outlook on life than her older sister

The next ti the wall above the curtains and she was alone Rising, she dug clean clothes out of her case and she went for a shower Well, this would be a tale to tell, she reflected with rueful a her parentage only to end up spending the night in the royal palace

A maid appeared with a trolley once she had returned to the bedroom and she chose a selection of foods from as on offer and ate with appetite while she planned what she would say to her sister when she called her She was reluctant to say anything that would wind up Ellie’s fiery teressive nature Placed in the sa for the assistance of the British Eot her out of the airport

But when she dug into her handbag for her phone she couldn’t find it even after e contents out onto the bed Her mobile had clearly been stolen Her one She was furious It was a cheap phone too, not one she would’ve believed anyone would think worth stealing Well, she would take that up with King Rashad when she next saw hi Ellie, ould be panicking because she hadn’t got in touch when she had proh Polly was older, Ellie treated her like such an innocent just because she had never been abroad before, Pollyher head

She opened the bedroo outside, which took her aback She was even more disconcerted when the soldier wheeled round and dropped to his knees, bowing his head, ood luck with that, whatever it was orhis display when it occurred to her that perhaps it was a prayer time of day and he was devout

‘I need a phone,’ she told the maid ‘I have to phone my sister’

The maid beamed and took her back into her bedrooroan, not wishing to mention that she had wanted a mobile phone towoh, reflecting that Dharia with its oil wealth could surely afford one phone call after the ordeal she had been put through, she lifted the handset

Ellie answered her call at predictable speed ‘Where are you? Why has it taken you so long to phone me? I’ve been really worried about you!’

And Polly proceeded to give her sibling the watered-down version of the truth that she had already decided on but she did have to explain that their ht to even have the fire-opal ring, never mind bequeath it to anyone

‘Well, I think a laould need to decide that, not sorily uniht this, Polly Are you sure you’re free to leave the palace? Why have they a guard stationed outside your door? Try going for a walk and see what happens I’m very suspicious about the set-up you’ve described and I think I n Office to ascertain what your position is and ask for advice—’

‘Do you really think that’s necessary?’ Polly pro this all too seriously?’

‘Polly…you don’t pick up on warning signals!’ Ellie conde excuses for the bad things people do… I’e of human character!’

Polly completed the call, her face flushed and sheepish Now Ellie was up in arh she believed her sister’s concern was groundless she illing to test Ellie’s suggestion that she try going for a walk She grabbed her sunhat and sunglasses and left the roo a stone corridor, pausing to look down at an inner hall covered with themosaic tiles she had ever seen

She traversed a wide stone staircase and stilled again to ad wide corridor of elaborate arches that stretched away into the distance to fraarden at the end As she set off to explore she noted that the guard was following her but not closely and he was so busy chattering to the maid that had accompanied him that Polly reckoned she could’ve turned cartwheels without hi She wandered down the corridor and peered out into the gorgeous garden that shaded a pool in the shape of a star The stone arches surrounding the courtyard were as exquisitely carved and detailed as handmade lace It was truly beautiful and had she had her phone with its caraphs