Night of Triumph (18 page)

It was then that Elizabeth recognised Hugh, her VE Night gallant, in his uniform of the Scots Guards. But something queer had happened.

His blond hair had turned completely grey.

‘Oh, Your Highness,’ he gasped, presuming to take her hand. ‘Your Royal Highness. Oh, thank God. Are you all right, Your Royal Highness?’

‘Perfectly, thank you.’

‘Oh, great merciful God and all the English saints and martyrs.’

Someone was now placing a blanket around her shoulders, and offering a sip of brandy in a metal cup from a hip flask. She waved it away. Hugh had some. All around her, Elizabeth could hear
singing and screeching and shouting. She could hear the backfiring of cars, and even the tinkling of glass. And above it all, one distant voice:

‘Victory in Japan! Victory in
Japan! Victory in Japan!’

I offer fervent thanks to David Miller, Alex Goodwin, Jon Jackson, Peter Mayer, Robert Lacey, Jamie-Lee Nardone, Matt Nieman Sims, Linda Grant, Prof. Margot Gosney, Hugh
Bonneville, Ben Liston and David Baddiel. As ever, extra special thanks are due to Caroline Hill.