Their Secret Royal Baby. Carol Marinelli

lives. The manse where they lived was a happy home and had a constant flow of visitors. They often had guests from overseas stay with them, which Beth especially loved. Holidays had been spent exploring rugged beaches or camping, and her father’s position in the village hadn’t been an issue then.

      Oh, she’d been warned, many times, that her actions reflected on her father and that she was to always behave. But, even during teenage years, her strict upbringing hadn’t been much of an encumbrance. Beth had enjoyed school and there had always been something to do in the evenings and at weekends.

      She’d loved to read and her friends occasionally slipped her books that would have caused the most terrible row had they been found.

      They hadn’t been found, though.

      She’d had a close circle of friends and as for boys, possibly had she been taken with anyone there might have been a clash, but she hadn’t been particularly attracted to anyone.

      Oh, there had been the occasional stand-off between her and her parents. Beth was stubborn and her temper matched her hair colour, and as a little girl she had fired up easily but she had learnt to choose her battles.

      It was as she’d entered adulthood that the problems had started and small whispers of discontent had made themselves known.

      In her final year of school her parents had steered her towards nursing or maybe teaching.

      Beth had been excited at the prospect of studying in Edinburgh and had been hoping to share a flat with her great friend Shona.

      Her father had had other ideas.

      There was a close colleague of his who had been more than happy to offer her board, and naturally she would come home during the holidays and on weekends and days off.

      A big row had ensued when Beth had stated she wanted to share a flat with her friend. But in the months that had followed Beth had realised that it wasn’t nursing or teaching she really wanted.

      They had been a chance to leave home and that didn’t seem a very sensible reason to make a career choice.

      And so she had fought to pursue the career she now loved but she still lived at home.

      It was nice to get away.

      Beth climbed off the bed and walked to the window, but before she pulled back one of the shutters she wrapped herself in a sarong she had bought at a market.