R,W&RB Poor Henry
Disclaimer - I wrote this based on one line from the movie - "He sat me down on my eighteenth birthday and told me not to let any selfish desires I may be harbouring reflect poorly on the crown."
I do not have any rights to R,W&RB or its characters.
Henry's pov
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He sat me down on my eighteenth birthday and told me . . .
"You are not to let any selfish desires you may be harbouring reflect poorly on the crown, Henry. Do you understand?"
Dread washed up through my body. What had Grandpa heard? Did he know? I took a deep breath to try to steady myself. "I hear things. Henry. Just because you're out of sight . . " Grandpa was speaking in that almost melodic voice that always meant business. It was far better if he shouted. I didn't - couldn't - answer for fear of incriminating myself. Grandpa took my slience as confirmation anyway. "I am aware of the Palace being informed of . . misdemeanours . . necessitating in several visits to your school in the past year." Grandpa lit a cigarette and inhaled deeply, "Several visits, Henry." I sat still, hands on my knees, only my eyes following Grandpa as he paced the room. "It appears that you have a problem, Henry, in . . um . . in . ." Grandpa sighed, "In matters of a personal nature." He said quickly, grimacing at the words he'd just uttered. Grandpa walked to the far end of the room and stared out of the window. I waited in silence, willing my stomach to stop churning. "Were you younger, it would be better, would it not, to send you to another school?" I jumped as Grandpa's voice broke the slience. "But, Henry, as you only have a few months left, it would be pointless." I held in a sigh of relief that was replaced by another wave of dread. Exactly what did Grandpa know? Was he expecting a confession? "Six occasions in one year." Grandpa sounded disappointed, "Six." I deliberately looked down at the floor. He only knew of six? Grandpa paced off to the far end of the room again. He returned to stand directly behind the sofa I was sitting on. This, more than anything, unnerved me. I could feel panic rising and had to focus on keeping my breathing steady. "Your school work, fortunately, is not suffering." I jumped again at Grandpa's voice, "It seems, though, Henry, that your interest in the rugby team that you play for, and the cricket pavilion, a sport for which you show no interest, have become frequently visited by you . . . and . . and a select few of your . . team mates." He paused for what seemed like a year, "I don't want to know specific details, Henry, but I can guess what pasttimes you may be pursuing." I could feel my face burning and realised I was holding my breath. Christ! He knew! He left the space behind the sofa and paced over to the drinks cabinet where he lifted the heavy stopper to a bottle. I heard splashing as he poured the liquor into a glass and then the clink of the stopper being replaced. I felt sick. "Do you imagine what shame it would bring on the crown if your pursuits were to become public knowledge, Henry?" I didn't move. I didn't dare. "Your . . um . . university offers. Do you suppose that you may consider accepting a place within commutable distance of a residence? Cambridge, for example? So that you could reside in a residence, rather than in university halls? . . .Hmm? To um . . keep you out of harms way . ." "Grandpa, I've accepted York." I managed. "Hmm . . Nevertheless . . . we shall see." I heard him approach. A cut crystal glass of a dark spirit appeared in front of my face. I took it with shaking hands. "Happy birthday, Henry." Grandpa said, clinking the glasses together, "I repeat. You are not to let any selfish desires you may be harbouring reflect poorly on the crown, Henry. Do you understand?"
