Page 41 of An Eye for an Eye

Beth hung up her grey suit and put on the blue dress. ‘Yes, I think you’re right,’ she said as she looked at herself in the mirror.

‘My first choice,’ William reminded her as he put on his jacket.

Beth turned around, straightened her husband’s tie and said, ‘Nice suit, Chief Superintendent.’

‘Got it in an M&S sale,’ said William. He opened the door for his wife and waited, as she took one last look at herself in the mirror.

•••

The welcoming party, as it was described in the royal briefing notes, consisted of the chairman of the Fitzmolean, Sir Nicholas Fenwick; the museum’s director, Dr Beth Warwick; and the chair of the fundraising committee, Mrs Christina Hackensack. They would meet the Countess of Wessex on the steps of the gallery when she arrived at 7 p.m.

Once they’d accompanied Her Royal Highness into the gallery, Beth would introduce the Countess to the greeting party, sometimes known as the line, which would be made up of board members, senior staff and leading benefactors.

After the Countess had been introduced to the line, she would spend a few minutes mingling with the guests before the time came for her to deliver her speech and unveil the Rembrandt drawing. Among the palace’s ‘dos and don’ts’ were clear instructions that she wouldn’t eat or drink anything at any time.

Two outriders followed by a shining limousine appeared outside the Fitzmolean at 6.59 p.m. and Her Royal Highness stepped out as the hour chimed. After she’d had a short chat with the welcoming party, Sir Nicholas led his royal guest into the gallery.

All went to plan, until she reached the end of the line, when Jojo stepped forward and curtsied (she had been practising for several days), before presenting the guest of honour with a bouquet of Countess of Wessex roses.

So far, everything was running smoothly. That was until the Countess asked Jojo, ‘Is Beth your mother?’

‘No, my mummy died,’ Jojo said with an honesty only a child can display. ‘But my dad is over there,’ she added, pointing to the other side of the room. ‘Would you like to meet him?’

‘Of course, I would,’ replied the Countess, as if it was all part of the master plan.

Jojo took her by her hand and guided the principal guest across the room with the chairman and director following a few yards behind in her wake. Ross and Alice, who had been admiring a Jan Steen, worked out what was happening just in time.

‘This is my dad,’ said Jojo. ‘He’s a Detective Inspector with the Metropolitan Police.’

‘How nice to meet you, Detective Inspector,’ said the Countess.

‘It’s nice to meet you, ma’am,’ said Ross, who bowed.

But before Beth could move her royal guest on, Jojo said, ‘And this is Alice. She used to be my schoolteacher and now she lives with us.’

Ross, who was rarely embarrassed, was lost for words.

‘I saw you admiring the Jan Steen,’ said the Countess,getting them off the hook. ‘He’s always been a favourite of mine.’

‘The storyteller of Dutch artists, ma’am,’ replied Alice, trying to recover, as Ross grabbed his daughter’s hand and didn’t let go.

The Hawk couldn’t stop laughing as Beth led the Countess away and began introducing her to other guests.

‘What do you find so amusing, Jack?’ asked William’s father, as he joined the Commander.

‘I never thought I’d live to see the day when Inspector Hogan would be rendered speechless.’

Sir Julian couldn’t resist, ‘Then perhaps it’s time for you to retire, old fellow.’

‘Perish the thought,’ said the Hawk. ‘What would I do all day? I don’t have green fingers or play golf, and can’t abide those police dramas on afternoon TV, and there are only a certain number of Test matches each year to while away my time. Nevertheless, I have to admittempus fugit. How about you?’

‘Lawyers never officially retire,’ replied Julian. ‘We go on kidding ourselves someone will require our considered opinions on some matter of vital importance, unaware the phone has stopped ringing. Why don’t you join me at Lord’s for the opening day of the second Test? We can watch Darren Gough try and level the series.’

‘Something to look forward to,’ said the Hawk, raising his glass. He looked across at Ross, who was chatting to William, while still keeping a firm grip on Jojo’s hand.

‘How didtheyget invited to the opening?’ demanded Ross, glancing across at Faulkner and Booth Watson, who were standing in one corner sipping champagne.

‘Try not to forget,’ said William, ‘Faulkner is consideredby some to be a patron of the arts, having donated a Rubens to the Fitz some years ago.’