"Princess Diana was injured in an auto accident in Paris," the CNN news anchor announced. "Her traveling companion, Dodi Fayed, was killed instantly, along with the chauffeur. We'll keep you abreast with more information on the tragic news."

Teresa's family, her parents, 12_year_old brother and an aunt, were shocked and pale.

"Can it be true ?" Mrs. Deerfield asked apprehensively as she looked at her husband for guidance.

"Yes, I'm afraid. Let's listen to the T.V.," Mr. Deerfield, a retired civil servant, said gently. "Son, can you please turn up the volume?"

"Sure," Dennis said. He turned up the volume and leaned on the bed with Teresa.

Aunt Emma muttered some prayers for Diana's quick recovery.

For the next four and a half hours, the news on TV became more depressing. Finally, at 11:00 p.m., the CNN announcer gave the tragic news, "It's official. Diana, the late Princess, succumbed to head injuries at 4:00 a.m., August 31, 1997 in Paris, France."

The Deerfield family broke into tears. Teresa, in uncontrollable sobs, rose to go to a nearby chair, feeling shocked and a little queasy. She couldn't comprehend the cold facts that Diana died.

"My God," she said as she let the tears escape, "the Princes will be heart_broken when they wake up and hear the news that their Mummy has passed away."

"I know," Dennis reassured his big sister in a gentle voice as he rubbed her shoulders. "Life is not fair to the young Princes, and even to the Queen. But they'll get over the bad events in time."

Mrs. Deerfield spontaneously said a prayer, "Father, help Princess Diana have her own peace after her sudden death. May God have mercy over the Queen and her family, Amen,"

"Amen," the four Deerfield members echoed.

The memories faded away as Teresa, sadly, touched the department store window before stepping out to the street to hail a taxicab. After some unsuccessful attempts to hail one, a very British black cab came to her rescue.

"Where to, Miss?" the driver asked, politely, as Teresa settled into the seat.

"To the Great Ormond Street Hospital, please," Teresa answered

in a soft voice. "Isn't it a lovely day, sir?"

"Aye, it's a marvelous day, despite the sadness that is still around London after the tragic death of Diana and her funeral." He maneuvered the taxi to the street. "We are sometimes happy with Christmas coming soon and sad that Diana's death is now a memory in our hearts."

"Yeah, we tend to hide our feelings in private as we approach the December holidays but as God says, we tend to forgive those others who trespass us."

"Right! We can use Diana's memory to help the world better for the new millennium in three year's time. We should rejoice in God's face and give thanks for what Diana gave: the path to be happy."

As the two people talked of Diana's legacy, the taxi rushed past the National Gallery to the Bloombury area where the Great Ormond Street Hospital was located and pulled up to its front entrance.

"That will be £2.50, please, and have a Merry Christmas, miss," the kind driver said.

Teresa paid the driver and wished him a Merry Christmas, as well.

Teresa entered the hospital and walked, briskly, to the lift near the receptionist's desk. The brief exchange with the driver lifted her spirits considerably. As she pushed the "UP" button, Teresa admired an elegant Christmas Tree in the center of the hall. It was decorated with Victorian ornaments and silver tinsel. Staff nurses and sisters in light blue and navy blue uniforms walked to and from the wards while orderlies pushed young patients

in wheelchairs.

A handsome young Spanish gentleman approached the lift, carrying a fragrant bouquet of roses. Teresa politely nodded at him and he returned the same.

"How do you do, miss?" he asked Teresa, smiling nervously as she pushed the "UP" button again.

"Pretty good, thank you," she replied.

"I guess Christmas won't be the same without the late Princess of Wales."

"Yes, indeed. The poor sons are still grieving for their mother and I suppose the season is hurting their hearts a little," Teresa said in a painful voice.

"Yes, of course!! Even in my country, as well as all over the world, people still carry the torch for the late Diana."

The two people stared at the doors in silence.

After a slight pause, the young man said, "I guess my sister is waiting impatiently for me to come see her. I'm Tomás Hermenez from Spain."

The two people shook hands.

"Pleased to meet you, Tomás," Teresa reciprocated . "I'm Teresa Deerfield. Why is she in hospital?"

"She had a tonsillectomy yesterday. She loved Princess Diana very much. But she did not have a good sleep last night due to her nightmares of Diana being killed by a drinking driver. I had to stay overnight. I thought these roses will brighten her day."

"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," Teresa replied. "It must be real hard on her to try to forget Diana's funeral. But we always stop our work and think of the late Princess from time to time."

"That is very nice of you to say. I am sure Sofia will be comforted by your kind words. Shall I relay your quotation to her?"

"By all means, yes! Everyone gets cheered up from time to time."

The lift stopped on the floor and opened the doors.

"Will you come in first?"

"Thank you very much," Teresa said. She entered the lift cubicle, with Tomás following her.

Tomás looked at the buttons and smiled nervously at Teresa. She was rather amused by the spectacle.

"Well, what floor do you want to go to?" Tomás asked the blushing candy_striper.

"Second floor, please," Teresa answered in a firm voice.

"O.K. I'll push the "Three" button because my sister is on the third floor, you know?" he remarked.

Tomás pushed the two different buttons for him and Teresa.

The young adults chatted for a few minutes as the lift slowly carried them upward. When the lift came to the second floor, the doors opened. Teresa turned to Tomás and smiled politely.

"May I visit your sister after work?" Teresa asked as she walked out of the lift.

"That'll be great. Take care and see you later, Teresa," Tomás said as they waved farewell to each other.

"All right, until then," Teresa called after the lift doors closed.

Teresa walked down the second floor, housing some administration offices and the Volunteer Services department. Some young and older women, clad in red smocks, rushed to and out of the office. Teresa came to a small room where an elderly woman was working at a personal computer.

"Good morning, Miss Lewison," Teresa said respectfully, as she approached the desk.

"Hello and how are you, Teresa?" Miss Lewison asked. "The volunteer services coordinator wants you to help the gift shop owner with the influx of late_minute Christmas shoppers in the store on the ground floor. Can you do it?"

"Yes, I'll be happy to do it, ma'am," Teresa replied enthusiastically.

"Good. Tell Miss Brown at the gift shop that you volunteered to help her and good luck, ok?" the secretary said as Teresa went to the locker room.

"Thanks, Miss Lewison," Teresa said.

Teresa came to her locker and took off her winter coat and gloves. She put them in it and took out her red smock. Having put it on, she walked to a mirror to see if there were any distractions.

Satisfied, she came to a small table with a sign_in and sign_out book and penned her name and time of arrival. Teresa walked briskly out of the office, exchanging "hellos" with her co_workers and hospital staffers.

She came to the lift she rode with the handsome young man earlier and pushed the "DOWN" button. The lift arrived, took her to the ground floor and she exited to the right.

Teresa approached the open door leading to an enormous room with magazines, books, candy, greeting cards and other gifts. The cash register stand was located near the book shelves. Miss Brown, an elderly woman wearing a small Christmas brooch on the left lapel of her blue sweater, stood behind the register.

"Ah, Miss Teresa. I see you got the assignment from Miss Lewison. Are you ready to handle the influx of customers while I have my tea break?" Miss Brown asked as she inspected her young charge.

"Of course, I'm ready," Teresa said affirmatively.

"Good. There are the new editions of newspapers that have arrived for the coming Christmas week. Please arrange them in a neat row and if a customer comes to purchase something, ring up the register, " Miss Brown instructed as she unwrapped a large brown bundle of the London Times, the Guardian, and the Telegraph. "Do you understand?"

"Yes, I understand. I'll do my best, Miss Brown," Teresa said rather cheerfully.

"By all means, I'd better go. I'll see you later." Miss Brown smiled and went to the far side of the room, leaving Teresa to her task of putting the new editions on the shelves.

CHAPTER TWO

Teresa was sitting on the floor, sorting London's three main newspapers when she heard a noise, prompting herself to look up to see a teenage boy. As she rose from the floor, she inspected to see if her uniform was in good shape. He wore a red bathrobe over the mandatory white hospital gown.

"Can I help you in getting something from the shop, young man?" Teresa asked.

"Yes, miss. Do you sell Christmas postcards? I'd like to send one to my oldest brother in South Africa."

"Yes, we do. We have some over there. Would you like to see them?" Teresa asked the young patient kindly.

"Yes, thank you. I'd like that," he replied.

Teresa led the boy to a revolving postcard pole. There were many postcards with famous sights such as the Houses of Parliament, Westminister Abbey, St. Paul's Cathedral, Buckingham Palace; and there were also several postcards with Santa Clauses and British Father Christmases.

"Which one do you like best?" Teresa asked.

"Oh, ummm...let's see," the patient said as he turned the pole. He fixed his eyes on an extravagant_looking postcard titled "Merry Christmas" with Father Christmas carrying a Christmas tree as he climbed a snowy hill. He had on the traditional red gown with the small cape and holly_covered hood. "I like that. Do you?"

"I love that! It's a perfect choice. Would you like me to ring up it for you?"

"Yes, please."

"That will be £1.25," Teresa said.

The teenager took his billfold out of his bathrobe. He opened it and pulled the exact amount out of the pocket. He gave the banknotes to Teresa.

Teresa rang up the register and gave the receipt to the young man. "There you go," she said. "Off to your room and write your greeting to your brother in South Africa. Merry Christmas!"

"Merry Christmas, miss," the teenager said as he rushed to the door, calling back, "Adieu, mademoiselle!"

Inspired by the nice holiday greeting, Teresa returned to the work until teatime.

CHAPTER THREE

Miss Brown came to the shop, having finished her tea break. She carried a small elegantly wrapped Christmas gift with her.

"I see you were very busy all afternoon, Teresa," Miss Brown smiled. "You can leave now if you want to."

"I guess I might as well quit for the day, ma'am. Anything else?"

"No, that's all."

"Good. What is that package you are holding?"

"It's a gift for you for your devotion to your work here," Miss Brown said as she turned over the present to Teresa.

"Thank you. May I open it now?"

"By all means, yes."

Teresa opened the package. With a surprised look, she looked at a new Charles Dickens book, Hard Times. It was a Penguin paperback.

Glad by the sweet gift, Teresa hugged Miss Brown affectionately.

"Thank you, Miss Brown," Teresa said. "I will treasure it for a long time to come. Well, I'd better go now. Merry Christmas."

Miss Brown nodded and added, "Have a Happy Christmas and be safe, ok?"

"Sure, I'll be careful all the time. Good_bye."

"Good_bye, Teresa. Have fun!"

Teresa walked to the lift and pushed the "UP" button. After a brief time, the lift came to the GROUND floor and opened its door. After some nurses and doctors exited, she walked in, pushed the "SECOND" floor button. She waited, thinking about her first meeting with Diana, the Princess of Wales.

October 1987. Teresa was a day student at St. James High School in Knightsbridge. She recently lost her favorite basset hound, Mr. Greens, to old age. Teresa had a rather difficult term but recovered quickly.

St. James High School was rolling out its red carpet to welcome Princess Diana who would be opening a renovated library. Teresa and her classmates wore their red blazers and red_blue plaid skirts to compliment the white shirts. Their male counterparts wore identical red blazers with blue slacks. The classmates stood in the foyer to welcome the Princess of Wales into the school.

"Is the Princess of Wales coming soon?" Maggie asked Teresa.

"In a few minutes, Mag. Be patient, ok?" Teresa replied as she looked over the now growing crowd that gathered in the hall.

Soon footsteps were heard coming toward them. The students straightened themselves and gave bright smiles. The Princess of Wales and the head teacher, Miss Manson, walked and acknowledged the applause of the student body.

The Princess of Wales wore a red suit and matching skirt. She had a small red hat with a small veil on. The Principal wore the traditional black gown as part of her job at St. James. The famous all_photographed Princess smiled at each student as she passed through a hand_shaking crowd until she met Teresa.

"Hello. What's your name?" the Princess asked a nervous Teresa.

"Teresa Deerfield, Your Royal Highness," Teresa replied, sobbing.

"You look a little sad."

"Well, my favorite basset hound, Mr. Greens, passed away of old age. He has been with my family since my birth. I miss him terribly."

"Oh, poor you! I'm sorry to hear that. Life must go on, right? You have to fulfill your dreams all your life until you get old," the Princess comforted a relieved Teresa. "By the way, you are special to your family and your fellow British peers."

"Thanks so much, ma'am! How are your sons?"

"They're fine, thank you. Wills is in nursery school, doing well. Harry is at Kensington Palace with his nanny, playing with the toys. I'd better go meet some of your classmates as well to cut the ribbon to open the library. Do take care of yourself and good luck with your studies."

The Princess and Teresa shook hands. The Princess went on to meet more of her admirers and shake hands with them.

"What an awesome memory to treasure, Maggie," Teresa exclaimed to her best friend.

"Yeah, you'll tell your children and grandchildren about the meeting with Princess Di in public," Maggie enthusiastically told her best friend.

"Of course, you're right! I will always treasure that memory forever."

Reality returned to Teresa's face as she entered the lift which opened for her. She smiled at the fading memories. Teresa pushed the "SECOND" button. Memories of Diana's funeral again occupied her mind.

September 6, 1997....the funeral of Diana, the late Princess of Wales crept through the appointed hour for the service at Westminister Abbey to begin. Teresa and her family watched the procession from the entrance of Kensingston Palace to Westminister Abbey with sad silence in their living room. They still struggled to accept the unfortunate truth of losing a popular Royal family member.

"Why did Diana die so sudden?" Teresa said hysterically as she knelt before the TV set.

"Teresa, don't be upset, ok?" her mother consoled her still_crying daughter. She led Teresa to a sofa while the male Deefields, still red_eyed and numb, sat on the carpet in different undress.

Hard to believe, Mr. Deerfield and Dennis thought. It's not the end of the British monarchy, but the end of the millennium.

For the past one and a half hour, the funeral engulfed millions of people, including the Deerfields, with buckets of tears. When John Elton played the moving and now_famous song, "The Candle in the Wind" at his piano, the Deerfields burst into tears and hugged each other. They applauded at Charles Spencer's admonished speech blaming the Royal Family for not being up to date with the 21st century.

"Well, what an extraordinary day today is," Mr. Deerfield said as he turned off the T.V. set after the hearse left for Altrop, the Spencer estate in Nortinghamshire. "Maybe we should carry on the torch to help others feel better in the next three and a half years as Diana would have loved us to do."

"Yes, that's very true , Dads," Teresa agreed. "But as we approach autumn and winter, the tragedy will extinguish itself from our memories. I hope the 21st century will bring peace and happiness to all of us, including the Queen and the Royal Family as well as our British peers."

"Right on!" Mr. and Mrs. Deerfield and Dennis echoed their support.

Memories of the September 6th funeral faded quickly as the lift stopped on the second floor, prompting the only passenger to go out. Teresa wiped some tears from her face. She was feeling a little blue but recuperated quickly. The young woman walked to the Volunteers Services office and then to her locker. She took off her smock and put it in away. Out came her winter coat and gloves which Teresa put on her left arm. She marched to the desk

to check out.

Having written the time she checked out, Teresa walked to say "good_bye" to Miss Lewison in the next room.

"Hi, Miss Lewison," Teresa said. "I just wanted to say goodbye and Happy Christmas to you."

"Did your boss give you a present?" Miss Lewison asked with interest.

"But of course!" Teresa took the new book out of her handbag and showed it to Ms. Lewison.

"What a generous woman your boss is!"

"Yep, Miss Brown is a great inspiration to me and my co_workers. Well, I'd better go, ok? Happy Christmas, Miss Brown."

"Merry Christmas and God be with you, Teresa," Miss Brown extended her hand to shake hands with her young co_worker.

Teresa smiled her thanks and said, "God bless you!"

Teresa exited the Volunteers Services office and walked to the nurses' station a few blocks from the office.

"Excuse me, Sister. Where can I find Sofia Hermanez? I'd like to visit with her for a few minutes," Teresa asked the sister on duty.

"Certainly," the sister replied, punching some keys on a personal computer. "Sofia is in Room 321, in the east side. She is in the first bed of the 4_bed ward."

"Thank you very much."

"You're welcome, miss. Happy Christmas!"

"Merry Christmas, sister," Teresa smiled as she walked to a lift facing the nurses' station. She punched the "UP" button.

After a few minutes, the lift stopped on the third floor. Teresa walked down the east side, checking the room numbers posted on the wall, shaped like a small triangle with each room # on each side. Finally Teresa found the correct room. The four beds were very narrow and 1960sish but more adaptable to the late 20th century flavours. Each bed is facing each bed in opposite sides. Three beds were empty, except for the first bed, where a

beautiful girl of 8 years, dressed in a pink bedgown covered by a blue flannel bathrobe, was lying. She was reading Highlights, the popular children's magazine.

Teresa smiled at the cute girl. She walked slowly to the bed, not frightening her.

"Hello, Sofia. Your brother asked me to visit for a few minutes," Teresa said. "How are you doing?"

"Pretty good, thanks," Sofia smiled. "My brother is getting me some books to pass the time. The TV shows are kinda boring, you know."

Teresa nodded.

"Well, my parents are flying from Buenos Aires to be with me and we'll spend Christmas at my aunt's Belgravia home. What about you?"

"Oh, I suppose we'll usually stay at home and spend Christmas Eve and Day with my aunts, grandma and uncles."

"Cool. That's awesome," Sofia said with zest.

"May I sit in your chair?" Teresa indicated a chair next to the bed. Sofia nodded to her to sit down.

"I suppose you will be excited for Father Christmas. On 6 January we get the gifts from the Magi, or the Three Wise Men. It's Epiphany, you know."

Teresa nodded in affirmation. She then smiled at Sofia, thinking she would make a soulmate. Tomás came to the bed, carrying kids' magazines with him.

"Here are these magazines, sis," Tomás said as he tossed them on Sofia's lap. Then he turned to Teresa.

"Hello and nice to meet you again," Tomás said as he shoook hands with her.

"Same to you, Tomás," Teresa smiled.

"How are you feeling, sis?"

"I am feeling better. The doctor just came a few minutes ago and said I will be going home tomorrow morning. The sister will escort me to dismissals with you, Bro."

"That's WONDERFUL! I'll ring Moms and Dads in Argentina. What time is Buenos Aires?"

Teresa looked at her watch before saying to Tomás.

"It's 3:00 p.m. today, which is at noon in Buenos Aires, Tomás. Do you want to use the telephone near Sofia's bed?"

"Good idea," Tomás said as he walked to a telephone and dialed his great_aunt's phone number in Buenos Aires. A female voice answered the phone.

"¿Quién es?" ("Who is this?")

"Éste su hijo, madre," Tomás said. "Cree qué?" ("This is your son,...Guess what?")

"¿Qué?" Señora Hermanez asked. ("What?")

"El doctor habló mí. Sofía vendrá casa mañana por la mañana. Pienso Ud. sabrá éste." ("The doctor told me. Sofia is going home tmw morning. I thought you might know that.")

"¡Maravilloso! Vendremos mañana. Adíós, hijo." ("Marvellous! We'll go tomorrow. Goodbye, son.")

"Adíós, madre." ("Goodbye, Mom.")

The son and mother hang up their telephone. Tomás turned to his sister.

"Madré says hello and she and Dads will see you tomorrow, he said as he patted the bed pillow.

"That's great!" Teresa exclaimed as she looked at her watch. It's 4:00 p.m. and I must go get some tea, she thought.

"Excuse me, I must go now. Shall I help pack Sofía's belongings tomorrow?"

"Yes, that'll be great! Can I meet you for pizza tomorrow night?" Tomás asked Teresa.

"Is that a date or an invitation to have dinner?" Teresa asked skeptically.

"A friendly dinner invitation, that's all. Are you engaged tomorrow evening?"

"No, I'd love that. What time will we meet for dinner?"

"How about 6:30 p.m.?"

"Marvellous! Until then, good_bye, Tomás and Sofía," Teresa said as she shook hands with the twosome. She put on her coat and gloves. "Well, I'd better go."

"Take care!" came Tomás' final words.

Teresa smiled at the farewell and walked to the lift to go out of the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children. How kind Tomás was to me! she thought.

A few minutes later, Teresa left the hospital with renewed happiness at how things went today for her.