Dreaming Royal

a dreamy piece of fiction written for a writing prompt and to manifest this future meeting

Am I dreaming??? Is this truly my own little life right now?! It doesn’t seem real, but the Union Jack flying overhead and the posh British accents peppering the happy conversations all around me prove otherwise. I nervously flick off a few remaining crumbs of my lunch of fish and chips that are stalwartly clinging to my polka dot Boden dress. No one does fish and chips quite like Wetherspoon’s, but this time I couldn’t do my plate justice due to anticipating the afternoon ahead. I don’t think I’ve ever before not been able to completely finish my food! I scan the street both ways and as far as I can see, swarms of people are standing shoulder to shoulder behind the barricades like beautiful bolts of floral fabric at Liberty London. Some are wearing itty bitty fascinators while others have opted for wide brim sun hats. No sad beige in sight - Londoners love their signature edgy fashion full of fun and colour. A cheer rises as the faint clip clop of the mounted Royal Guard is heard coming our way. Then we can spot the first glimpse of the long row of shining black vehicles snaking along the ancient cobblestone street. The history in this country makes even the “old” things of my country seem disparagingly “young!” Case in point, the British Museum that I will presently be entering today was founded in 1753 making it older than the US of A! OK, things are happening, the waiting is almost over, and my dreams are becoming reality!

I gasp as the black Escalade skirts the repaired potholes and parks in front of the museum steps. The Royal Family’s vehicle of choice is usually a gleaming, vintage Rolls Royce, but in an attempt to modernize the monarchy, Will and Kate have opted to arrive in an Escalade for some of their more recent events. A soft silence descends as we all wait for the elegant sight of the new “People’s Princess.” The Duchess isn’t Diana, but like her mother-in-law, she has endeared herself to the world with her charitable ways and openhearted friendliness. And there she is!! Stunning as always in a classy spring green tailored sundress and her go-to Gianvito Rossi stilettos, she’s waving her refined little sophisticated wave as the crowd calls out, “We love you, Princess Kate!!” Even though she’s technically not a princess by title now that she’s officially Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, she’ll always be a princess to me and to everyone who admires her. Flanked by bearskin-hatted security on both sides, she enters the building. And now it’s my turn to go in along with my fellow waiting artists! It’ll always feel like a pinch-me moment to see my art chosen and showcased in Kate’s personal collection of “Art Celebrating Women’s Mental Health.” I fastidiously follow the security personnel, trying my best not to trip or do something embarrassing with my two left feet. Phew, we have arrived at the enormous table laden with afternoon tea! I curtsy, holding my breath, exhaling with delight as I’m introduced to the Duchess. She’s every bit as delightful as the press makes her out to be! As is this adorable mini bit of sticky toffee pudding. Feeling like Cinderella, I peek down to see if my glass shoe is still securely on my foot. And it is! The proof is in the (sticky toffee) pudding that dreams do come true!

{We were each instructed to use this sentence somewhere in our writing - The black Escalade skirted the potholes and parked in front of the steps. I chose to embellish it just a bit to better fit my piece.}