The Quotidian Timeline

Same day, evening – Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, London

The airspace buzzed with the presence of news aerial units, echoing across the sky like mosquitos around Nate’s head. His gaze fell on the spectacle below — organisers draped the grand stone stairs leading to the Great Exhibition Memorial in vibrant red nylon. Floodlights bathed the red carpet, causing the fashion to shimmer and sparkle, while laser lights danced across the sky.

Nate edged closer to Wade, who remained vigilant over his video security feed, monitoring the bustling activity below. The excitement was palpable as fans who had camped out for days awaited the start of the event.

Their attention shifted to the stream of social media influencers and famous faces parading down the red carpet. Nate’s eyes flickered with recognition.

Among the crowd, they spotted a family — a father, mother, and two teenage sons. The father’s confusion was evident asking about the event. They followed their exchange with an eager fan.

The son gestured with excitement. Nate’s heart twisted, observing the impact of his mother’s fame on people’s lives. Her image was larger than life, while he harboured a secret that tainted everything.

They touched down the helicopter several blocks away, where Martha awaited their arrival in a sleek black Bentley with tinted windows. Driving south of Hyde Park, Nate observed the bustling crowd, including a blind woman and her guide dog.

The Kinslow Bentley glided toward the venue. He straightened his posture.

“You look dashing, darling,” said Aria, adjusting his bow tie.

“It’s okay, Mum,” said Nate, pushing her hands away.

Miles shot Nate an angry look.

What? Nate gestured, raising his arms. Red as a beet, he shifted his attention to his smartphone, feigning engagement.

As the car navigated the corner, the anticipation built. A multitude of fans lined the street leading to the Royal Albert Hall, along Kensington Gore. Martha made a turn onto Queen’s Gate. Nate’s earlier sulk dissipated, replaced by an infectious energy that always gripped him in vibrant crowds.

Much like the tourist family earlier, other spectators gathered around, their eyes wide with anticipation. The screens projected the image of the sleek black Bentley in motion. Event assistants directed the car along Exhibition Road and Prince Consort Road.

Emin and Miles emerged from the car, drawing curious glances from the onlookers. Sections of the crowd burst into applause. Then the sight of Aria stepping out of the car ignited an eruption of cheers from the crowd, a concerto of voices greeting their beloved star.

“Aria! Aria! Over here!” The shouts echoed, and the atmosphere grew infectious. Nate held back.

“Ready?” asked Wade.

“Letting Mum cast her spell. I am holding back so I am free to run to Pa.”

“Your mother is holding out her arm. She wants you to go to her.”

***

As Nate and Aria ascended the steps, their favourite charities awaited them, waving banners of the film. The organisers invited the family’s preferred Down Syndrome charity. Miles took selfies with them.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

Nate reached his father, when the world-famous entertainment TV host, Aldeney Cox, a transgender personality, intercepted them. The press pit had assembled on either side of the entrance to the Royal Albert Hall, while celebrity guests posed for photographs. Nate hoped for the opportunity to slip through unseen.

“Emin, wow, we have the man himself here. Emin Kinslow, the Director of The Light,” said Aldeney, “and Aria is close behind with Miles.”

“Yes! Searching for Michael Reinsford, our producer,” said Emin.

“Of course. You and Michael started up Wingfilms together as teens, right?”

Nate fidgeted and scanned the guests for Uncle Mick.

“We are proud of where we are,” said Emin.

“How was it like working with Aria? You filmed in the Pacific, right?” asked Aldeney.

“Incredible, imagine!” he said, spreading his hands.

“What about the recent incident with Aria slurring on camera? – We have to ask!”

“Ah, the question, yes, well, we all have our moments, right? Aria’s a professional, and sometimes things don’t go as planned. But let’s not dwell on that; we’re here to celebrate The Light!”

“But surely you understand the public is curious.”

Where was he? asked Nate, searching for Uncle Mick. It was his perfect excuse to slip unseen through the press pit.

“I understand the curiosity,” said Emin, “but that’s really a matter between Aria and her team. We’re focused on her incredible work and the positive impact she is making. Let’s keep the conversation on that.”

“Rumour says Aria will be the most influential person for the second year in a row, regardless.”

“That’s wonderful. Last time, we had an insane year,” said Emin.

“If anyone changes the world, that’s our Aria,” she said.

“For sure!” he said, walking towards Michael Reinsford, who was in view. “Mick!”

“Thanks Emin!”

They hounded Nate with flashes of light as they walked past the press pit when Kelen Pearson, the co-lead, approached Aria to further screams from the crowds behind them.

“Aria! Kelen, straight ahead, please!” they clamoured.

They both posed for the media and Aria reached out her arm to Emin and Nate to join them. Nate glanced at Wade, hoping for a negative response, but he nodded in agreement. After the progress I made?

“Aria, Kelen, we love you!” said members of the crowd.

“Thank you,” said Aria, smiling.

Kelen also grinned and waved.

***

Aria took some steps backwards.

As though someone had punched her in the chest. She fought to regain her breath.

“Mum?” asked Nate.

Fans next to them became still.

“Mum!” Nate broke into a sweat.

“The lights,” she burst, “are blinding me.”

“Oh,” said Nate. They were not blinding him.

“Aria, all okay?” called out members of the press.

She took another step backwards. Nate froze as his mother went off-script and headed towards the car. Fans further down cheered. She was coming back to them. Nate followed her down the steps. He eyed Sani, her bodyguard, who was close behind them.

“A photo with the family!” screamed the reporters as Emin and Miles also joined them.

“Mum!” said Nate, close behind her. “Mum?”

“I don’t-” she said, glaring at him as she stepped away. “Who are you?” she asked, raising her hand to her face.

“Mum, please, let’s go in,” said Nate.

“Don’t touch me!” said Aria.

Nate let go of his mother. His eyes growing wide.

The press bolted. Capturing their every move like sharks smelling a front story. Wade and Sani helped them out of the commotion.

“Sani!” said Nate.

Nate was relieved his mother recognised her bodyguard. But the press and their flashing lights elbowed and blinded him. “Mum!” he cried.

“Are you okay Aria?” called out a member of the press.

She smiled and continued. But the colour drained from her face. He slipped his arm into his mother’s again and she tensed. She placed her hand on her temple and lost her balance again.

“Mum!” said Nate, as his father and brother held her. Nothing made sense.

The press was crushing him.

He was ten when Uncle Gare gave opinions at a press junket that made international news. He had not been there, but the impact involved aggressive press chasing them for months. Hence the three security checks in Bellaton.

“Aria, are you okay? Speak to us!” said Wade, as Sani and the rest of the security team directed the family back towards the RAH.

“Aria, shall we walk in?” asked Sani.

“Where is Finch?” asked Aria, eyes pleading.

Everyone stopped. Unsure what to say.

“Who is Finch?” asked Nate.

She moved away from them.

Fans gaped.

His mother’s eyes were vacant.

The crowd vanished.

Miles aimed to reach her, but was too late as her head bounced off the gravel.

The press jostled to capture the footage of a collapsed Aria Kent. Sani and the Kinslow security team pushed back, while Emin took command and lifted his wife up the stairs.