It’s been a few years now since we started going to the Royal parades at the Palace. Or ‘Buck House’ as my Dad calls it. He was always the Royalist, and proudly served his Queen and Country in Afghanistan. Took a bullet there too. But he was mostly cheerful, and I never heard him complain about anything.
He’d always make a point of going to London every year, in his bright red tunic and medals, to see the Queen and her Prince ride by in a beautiful carriage. He’d stand to attention and salute. Dad said she waved at him once, but he might have made that bit up!
One by one, we all got drawn in to his world, and travelled with him to London. We’d walk down the Mall, mix with the crowds, and soak in the atmosphere – so different from the quiet place where we live now.
We eventually learned the places to stand for the best view. Dad’s chest always swelled with pride when the soldiers rode past.
Every now and again though, I’d see his eyes glaze over. As much as he likes Elizabeth and Philip, he does miss Victoria and Albert. Dad always thinks of them as ‘his’ Queen and Prince. He’s seen a few come and go since then, but always come back to pay his respects.
Dad says, “Once you wear the Queen’s colours, you’re in for life, and the afterlife!”
This story is inspired by the photo supplied by Al Forbes of Sunday Photo Fiction, 23rd October 2016. For more details click the logo.
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Walk the Self-Talk 
I like that. In for life and the afterlife. I’m guessing he took the bullet in 1839 or 1878. Did a bit of research 😉
Thanks. I did check to see if Albert was still alive during the 1st Anglo-Afghan war, and he was. That was my bit of research done!
Good story.
Sad man.
Thanks. I deliberately didn’t want to pass judgement on ‘Dad’, but he does represent a particular type of person.
Excellent Steve, just as I was starting to wonder how old ‘Dad’ must have been, the twist in the last line explained it all! Nice one.
Thanks, Iain. Glad you liked it.
A very loyal person and a wonderful example to follow. Great post.
He appears to enjoy his visits back!
Loved the twist at the end — I was beginning to think Dad was immortal.
Thanks. I recently watched the TV series ‘Victoria’. That gave me the idea to use the Queen and her Prince. The Afghanistan link, I got from ‘Sherlock’!
Yes, curious isn’t it how Conan-Doyle’s Dr. Watson can be wounded in Afghanistan for a series in the 21st century too. Sad, as well.
Ah, so “til death do us part” works for marriages but not for loyalty to the crown? Good to know… Fun twist, and nicely played.
Thanks. I think he likes the pomp and spectacle.
Well, who wouldn’t? Must be the height of his, er, un-life now.
Love the idea that he continued in his afterlife 🙂 Very well written.
Thanks, Angi. Maybe the parades aren’t as good over there! 😉
I can see the medals on his chest! Great visual.. it must really be something to watch royalty go by. I have never seen anything like that! Well done!! 🙂
Thank you. I think it’s a great tradition to keep.
So, is his son and family dead as well? So they all do this? Haha not gonna lie the first thing that popped into my head was vampires. But I see no indication so a ghost with eternal vigilance seems more likely.
Thanks for commenting. Yes, they are all ghosts. Dad died first, after being shot in Afghanistan. Then, ‘one by one, we all got drawn in to his world’, meaning the rest of the family eventually passed away and joined him. I love how readers interpret the story in their own way. I’d never thought of them being vampires!