Chapter 5 - Lady in leather
When the Queen entered her sitting room to have breakfast she sighed at seeing the table laid for one. Philippe had left for New Zealand. She would miss him but at least she wouldn't see his grin all the time. He had teased her for weeks. She had told him he looked like the Cheshire Cat.
´Ha!´ he had said, ´then you would be Cat Woman!´ He had roared with laughter and if she hadn't cast some nearby maids a glance she was sure they would have giggled.
The prince and the mysterious leather-clad lady!
It had been the headline of Tittle-tattle, a major gossip magazine. Her aid had kept it out of her sight but Philippe had read her a line from the article: ´The prince was riding with an unknown lady with the long legs and shapely body HRH admires.´
´In the next issue it will be revealed that the so called unknown lady is Emma,´ the Queen had said.
Philippe had accompanied his motor cycling Dutch friend on the first part of her journey home and the Queen figured they had been caught by a photographer.
´You think so?´ he had asked, ´Page twelve Mother.´
Page twelve showed Emma, page thirteen showed her, also known as ´the attractive cyclist on her powerful bike´.
Admittedly, part of her was pleased with the description. That was the hidden feminine part. But mostly she felt that a Queen should not have a body. At least not one that was acknowledged by her subjects. Surely she had worn evening dresses that were more revealing, but well, leather...
It was the best material for a motor suit. Shoes, bags, saddles, fine. But Queens can't wear leather suits Clarisse, she remembered telling herself, months ago, standing in front of a huge mirror in the fitting-room of Emma's tailor. She hadn't undressed though. She had stared at herself, feeling sensual. She must have stood there for a while, for Emma, waiting in the ante-room, had asked her if everything was all right.
´I don't know if this is a goo-´
´Try the helmet aunt Clarisse.´
It had made all the difference. She didn't recognise herself any more. No one would. She'd put her visor up. It was hard not to recognise her own eyes, but she figured that no one would expect her of all people to drive a motor cycle. No one would say: ´There's the Queen on a bike.´ The article in the gossip magazine had proved it. And it also proved that she didn't have to feel awkward wearing her 'cat suit'. Philippe's phrase.
Pouring herself a cup of tea she made a mental note to ask Joseph whether Capras and Iglesias were making progress at their motor cycle training for security personel. As of yet only the two of them and Joseph had a motor licence.
OoOoOoO
It was 11 pm and Joe was making a round. Conscience Joe walked beside him and cast him disappointed glances.
It's for the best, Joe told him.
Her car can get an accident. Her air plane can explode. But you're not locking her inside because of that or are you?
This is different. A motor cyclist is a vulnerable road-user and a Queen on a motor cycle is an easy target.
Right!
Joe walked a little faster, hoping he would get rid of Conscience Joe. He had no such luck.
Capras and Iglesias finally passed the bike training for security personnel and what do you do? You offer Teballi to help him make the schedules.
It's not beneath me to do that kind of work.
First you made our Queen agree with your ´I really think you need three guards with you when you ride your motor cycle ma'am´, Conscience Joe angrily said. And then you made sure that Capras and Iglesias are never on the same shift any more. That is beneath you!
Joe didn't respond.
Sooner or later, Conscience continued, there'll be a beautiful day and she'll have time off and she will want to go for a ride. And you will reply, with you best poker face no doubt, that unfortunately only you yourself and one other guard are available and -
It will work out fine, Joe interrupted. He tried not to think about something he had successfully managed to hide from Conscience so far.
What's that? Conscience Joe sensed. You didn't!
She´ll never know.
Don't you think she's going to inquire after it? Well?
No. She trusts me.
Ha!
I am not proud of it! It's for her own good.
She will be beyond displeased when she finds out.
Joe nodded. Conscience was absolutely right. If she found out...
OoOoOoO
It was a beautiful day and Her Majesty had time off.
´Surely two guards will be sufficient?´ the Queen tried,´And we can have a car following us.´
Joe gave her his best I am truly sorry but if there's anyone who knows about security it's me look. She suggested that Iglesias would change a shift with LeBlanc.
´Normally ma'am, I'd agree, but Iglesias has had a double shift yesterday and I don't think it's wise to have him drive a motor cycle now.´
´You really should check Teballi's schedules Joseph,´ the Queen told him, unsmiling.
She walked to one of the French windows in her office to watch the clear blue sky and the numerous shades of green her garden offered. Joe enjoyed another view. When he was with her he couldn't imagine his Valentino clad lady even considering riding a motor cycle.
´Do you think a walk in the garden is acceptable Joseph?´
Joe inclined his head.
OoOoOoO
After walking for some five minutes they came at a bifurcation. One path was leading to the rose garden and the other ended up at the stables. Joe hoped the Queen would choose the rose-road but she felt like swaying towards the stables so that is where they headed.
´I have neglected my horses for too long,´ Her Majesty said.
When the wind got hold of the Queen's scarf Joe hurried after it. The cloth was caught by a bush. Joe carefully removed it and then noticed that the Queen had continued to walk to the stables.
When the Queen entered the stables she saw three guards admiring her motor cycle. They were oblivious of the horses whinnying: only the lifeless horsepower could interest them. The men were using technical terms she'd never heard off to describe the machine's specifics. Amused, she walked towards them.
´Do you think it has heated hand grips?´ one of the guards wondered aloud.
´I know it has.´
The men turned around and stood at attention.
´Your Majesty,´ Bruni said after the Queen had made a gesture indicating they could rest at ease, ´We're on a break. We were just having a look.´
´And a talk,´ the Queen smiled, ´You know more about motor cycles than I do.´
´I'd love to have one,´ Bruni, feeling brave, said.
´But you didn't want to get your licence?´
´A licence? Mr Romero asked us too a few weeks ago. But I can't afford a bike ma'am.´
The other guards, Vilais and Valais, nodded.
´So there's no point in me paying good money for a licence ma'am.´
´Surely the head of security -´
´Your Majesty,´ Joe interrupted her, ´I have caught it.´
´So I see.´
Joe handed her her scarf.
The Queen adjusted the accessory around her neck.
´If you could leave us gentlemen?´
´Of course Your Majesty.´
The Queen made eye contact with Joe before walking to her horses. He felt a shiver down his spine.
´Aren't you beautiful?´ Her Majesty told her Arab.
The mare whinnied and tried to put her nose against her Mistress's neck.
´Bruni told me he'd like to have his own motor cycle...´ the Queen started, gently pushing the horse's head away.
´I bet he would ma'am,´ Joe said, trying a smile.
She wiped it away with a look.
´Have you by any chance forgotten to inform your men that the two extra guards we need for the motor cycle team can get their driving-licence at our cost?´