The palace released a statement two days later. It said I had visited Larkhaven "to hear local perspectives" and praised the Crown's commitment to "inclusive renewal."
I hadn't praised anything.
I was reading the statement in the blue room when Adrian came in. He shut the door behind him.
"Did you approve this?"
"No."
"Did you approve the words they put in my mouth?"
"No."
"Then why is it there?"
He sat at the end of the table. "The press office thought it reflected your visit."
"Did they talk to me?"
"I don't know."
"That's not good enough."
"No," he said. "It isn't."
He pulled out his phone and made a call. I listened as he asked someone to withdraw the statement, then paused, then asked for the exact language I'd approved. When he hung up, his mouth was set.
"They've alrea
