But I Smile Anyway…

Sue’s #WritePhoto prompt this week:

“When you’re dealt a King, never reshuffle. You may just end up with a joker.” That’s what my mother always said. “I’m not talking about playing cards here, Emira, I’m talking about life. Take heed.”

Well, I’d found my king, and there was no way I was planning on reshuffling this particular hand that life had dealt me.

Jonathon was perfect. Good looking, dashing, fantastic job, loaded family, and what’s more, he was due to inherit a huge ancestral pile from a recent death in his family. Old uncle Whatshisname. Oh, I don’t know.

What I do know is that the old boy had a real castle that he had lived in, up until his death. It was set on acres of land, in the middle of Kent.

I’d be like a princess, or a queen, even, living on my own castle – if Johnny was to propose, that is.

We’re driving down there no, as it happens, to view the new property. I can’t wait to get my first glimpse of my mansion. Oh, the parties we’ll throw! My Insta feed will be full of photos of my new home. I wonder if it has a real throne in there?

Wait, he’s slowing down… What the heck is that?

“So, what do you think, darling? It’s a bit rundown, but imagine what we could do with the place?”

I turn to look at him, disgust etched across my face.

” I want to go home, Jonathan. Now.”

King? Nah, a joker with ideas above his station, more like!

***

“So, son, what did she think?”

“Mummy, you were right. A true gold digger if ever I saw one. One look at the battlement ruins and she was off. Thank goodness you told me to take the back route. If I’d gone up to the main entrance, she’d have seen the real castle, and I’d never have been rid of her.”

“Mother always knows best, my dear.”