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know what they re up against.
I ll show them how serious I am, said James. He turned and walked to the door.
Care to come along, Cal?
Sure. Where are you going?
Suddenly, I feel like taking a walk in the garden.
James, wait, said Embries, calling him back. What are you going to do?
Things being the way they are, came the reply, you can probably see it on
Newsnight.
Twenty-six
Stepping out onto the graveled yard, James was instantly besieged by cameramen
and journalists. They clustered so tightly around him that Shona threatened several
with expulsion if they did not give the King room to breathe. Back off! she
warned. There is plenty of room for everyone. Let s all behave.
You are here at the King s pleasure, Cal reminded them sternly. Don t blow it.
When they had established rough order among themselves, Shona announced, The
King has prepared a statement which he would like to share with you now. There will
be time for questions immediately after. Turning to James, she said, His Majesty,
the King of Britain.
Thank you, Shona, he said, stepping forward. There was a last jostling for
position among the assembled news people, as James began. A few minutes ago I
received a visit from representatives of the Special Committee for Royal Devolution
the so-called Magna Carta Two. I was invited to affix my signature to the
document which has caused such anguish and controversy in our nation. He
paused, looking out at the eager faces of the reporters, enjoying the effect his
appearance was having. I declined.
Did they say what would happen if you didn t sign? shouted a woman a few rows
back.
Questions later, Gillian, please, Shona reminded the journalist. Thank you.
I refused to resign the sovereignty of Britain, James continued, and I want
everyone to know that I will continue to resist any and all efforts to make me
relinquish the crown. Further, it is my intention to reinstate the traditional weekly
royal prime ministerial audience at once. From today, I will be expecting to receive
the Prime Minister, and I urge his office to contact me at once to make
arrangements.
This, as James suspected, caused an instant uproar among the gathered media folk.
They leaned in anxiously, thrusting their arms into the air to be recognized; those at
the back shoved forward to get a better vantage point.
Thank you, James said. I d be happy to take your questions now.
It took a few moments to quell the uproar and for Shona to introduce a modicum of
order. We ll do it my way or not at all, she said. Today, the last shall be first.
Pointing to a tall cadaverous-looking man straining in the back row. Gordon
Granger, you re on.
Gosh, thanks, said Gordon, so delighted at his unprecedented good fortune that
he promptly forgot why he d been called upon.
Could we have your question, Gordon? asked Shona.
Your Majesty, said the journalist, you used the word urge a moment ago. Are
we to take that to mean you are not now in contact with Downing Street?
That is correct, replied the King. We are not in contact with Downing Street at
present. The truth is, the Government has thus far ignored all our attempts at
communication. We ve sent letters, faxes, telegrams you name it. They won t
even return my phone calls.
Some of the journalists snickered at this. Is this why you chose to make the
announcement just now? a woman in the front row asked. Shona gave her a dirty
look, but the rest of the pack seemed content to listen to the answer.
I would have preferred to proceed through the proper channels, James replied,
but one way or another, I will be heard. Once, not all that long ago, a subject would
have lost his head for ignoring his monarch.
Are you going to ask for Prime Minister Waring s head? someone shouted.
James smiled. Don t tempt me.
Will you meet here at Blair Morven, asked someone else, or in London?
If memory serves, James answered, the meeting traditionally takes place at the
monarch s principal residence. Since this is the only place I ve got, I guess the
audience will have to be here.
What will you talk about, called another journalist, when, or maybe I should say,
if the PM agrees to meet with you?
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