‘Wait for grace,’ Susan reminded one of the children in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear. Again everyone was forced to hold back, waiting for Diana and Theresa to arrive. The children were hungry and automatically stood up as Diana and Theresa arrived. The adults instinctively followed the children’s lead. Duncan wondered cynically whether they were standing for the prayer or for the Leader. There was a short delay as Diana adjusted her place setting before nodding to Theresa. ‘Dear Lord,’ Theresa began, ‘we pray that you will give our Leader wisdom to protect and guide us. We thank you for your bountiful harvest and the food you have placed on our table today. Amen.’ ‘Please be seated,’ Diana said. Duncan leaned across to Paul. ‘She should have prayed for guidance for the Cabinet, not the Leader. I’m certainly going to get stuck into her at that meeting,’ he threatened. At ten o’clock, Duncan and Paul made their way to the ballroom. Diana was already sitting on the largest large gilt chair, which had been placed at one end of the Boulle table.
