Devoted: The Blackwell Lessons Part 41

'I have no idea. He cut me out when you came on the scene.'

'Why would he do that?'

'You'd have to ask him. I've tried myself, but ... well you know Marc. Once he's made a decision he doesn't feel the need to explain it. I've talked to Baz about it, but he has no idea either. And those two were best buddies once upon a time.'

'Baz knows you?'

'Baz knows me very well. He's even let me on set a few times.'

'But how-'

'I was Marc's diversion for years. Baz will tell you all about it. I'd go to a bar with Baz, and the press would follow me instead of Marc. It gave Marc a chance to research his roles.'

'But ... why wouldn't Marc mention you?' I say.

Keith comes sprinting towards us waving my mobile phone.

'Got it!' he shouts, barely out of breath. 'That young man will think twice about stealing from a pregnant lady again. One punch. Wallop. And he was out cold. The police are coming for him as we speak-'

Keith slows as he notices who's beside me.

'Michael,' he says, the word slow and cold. 'What are you doing here? You know Marc told you to stay away.'

'I know that,' says Michael.

'I wouldn't cross Marc,' says Keith. 'Especially now Sophia's pregnant.'

'I thought Sophia might be happy to get to know me,' says Michael. 'Why don't you take us to Marc and we can ask him?'

'You know he's going to kill you, don't you?' says Keith. 'And probably me too.'

'I'll make sure if anyone gets killed it'll be me,' says Michael.

Keith sighs. 'You will be the death of me Michael Blackwell. Right come on. Get in the car. I'll tell Marc we're on our way.'

Suddenly a camera flashes.

We turn to see a pap clicking away.

'I can see the headline now,' says Michael, grinning. 'Marc and Sophia's lover's tiff.'

79.

'We're going to the townhouse?' I ask, as the limo heads towards Chelsea.

'That's where I took Marc earlier,' says Keith. 'He was supposed to be meeting young Michael here. But I'm guessing that young Michael was in fact creating a diversion. Getting Marc out of the way so he could talk to you instead.'

'You're wasted as a driver,' says Michael. 'You should be a detective.'

'Why didn't you just meet up with Marc?' says Keith. 'He's a reasonable man. You never know. He might have changed his mind-'

'He was never going to change his mind,' says Michael. 'Come on Keith. You've known Marc a long time. He agreed to meet me to tell me to stay away. Yet again. You know that as well as I do. Sophia is my only chance.'

'Is Marc going to be angry that you're here with me?' I ask.

'Oh he'll be furious,' says Michael. 'But I won't give up. That's what Marc doesn't understand. I'm a Blackwell too. I'm determined. I want to know you. And my brother. And my future nephew.'

I laugh. 'Nephew? You think it's a boy too?'

'You're carrying a Blackwell. All first Blackwell children are boys.'

'Funny. That's just what Marc says.'

'I'm determined to meet the little fellow,' says Michael. 'But Marc is intent on keeping me away.'

'But why?'

'He won't tell me.'

The car pulls up at the townhouse and the big gates swing open.

'I guess now's a perfect time to ask him.'

As we drive into the underground garage, Marc is waiting, hands on hips.

He strides to the car and helps me out, then takes my face in his hands.

'Are you okay?'

'I'm ... okay. But a bit weirded out.'

Marc wraps his arms around me. 'Forgive me. Please, please forgive me. I hate keeping secrets from you. But I knew if I told you, you'd be curious. I didn't want that can of worms opened.'

'Marc, just tell me what's going on.'

Michael climbs out of the car.

'Stay the h.e.l.l away from my family,' Marc barks. 'Keith, do the honours would you? Take Michael back up north.'

Michael's face falls. 'Marc, please. Tell me why at least-'

'Why don't you ask our father?'

There's a pause.

'So that's what this is all about?' says Michael. 'He's our dad, Marc. Just a sad old man now. And he's not as bad as you think. He could have gone to the press about me. Made a bit of money. But he never did.'

'He ruined Annabel's life. Stole her childhood. I want nothing to do with him. And I'll protect my family at all costs. Which means keeping you away. And you're wrong about him going to the press. He did try to sell the story. I made sure it was buried. If I catch you anywhere near Sophia again-'

'Marc, please.' I step back from his warm chest. 'I don't think Michael means either of us any harm.'

'Of course I don't,' says Michael. 'You're my family. Marc's my brother. You're my sister-in-law.'

'I already told you,' says Marc. 'You've made your choice.'

'Marc,' I say. 'Do you really want to cut your brother out of your life? Just because he spends time with your father?'

'Absolutely.'

'Is that fair?'

'I don't care if it's fair. My father is clever. If we spend time with Michael, he'll be able to ascertain facts about our life. Facts he could use to try and get close. The ties have to be severed completely. All ties. Believe me, I'm doing this for our own good.'

'So who else knows about Michael?' I ask.

'Baz. That's it.'

'I don't get it,' I say. 'I've seen your family pictures. There weren't any of Michael.'

'We have different mothers,' says Marc. 'My father had an affair. Michael was the result. We didn't know about each other until a few years ago. And then he made himself useful, working as a diversion for me.' Marc gives Michael a gentle smile. 'Which I'm grateful for. We kept him quiet from the press. But now ... I just think it's best if he stays away.'

'Look, why don't we go up into the house?' says Michael. 'Talk properly. I think I have a way this could work.'

'Marc?' I ask.

Marc frowns. 'Sophia, I thought you understood. It's unfortunate that you know about Michael, but he needs to leave now. He can't be part of our lives. Especially when our son is born.'

'Please Marc. Let's talk about this. Michael is our family.'

Marc closes his eyes. 'This is exactly what I was afraid of. Fine. Let's go upstairs. But I'm making no promises.'

80.

In the kitchen, Rodney waits with fresh, hot coffee.

'There are brandy snaps in the oven,' he tells us.

'Thanks Rodney.' I perch on a stool, my pregnant belly squashed against the oak breakfast bar.

'Sophia,' says Marc. 'I really don't think you should be sitting-'

'I'm fine,' I say. 'Really. Let's hear what Michael has to say.'

Rodney pours us all coffee.

'This had better be good,' says Marc. 'I'm not happy about you using Sophia to get close to me-'

'I didn't use her,' says Michael. 'I wanted to get to know her. She's my family too now. And she's carrying my family-'

'So what is it you want to say?' says Marc.

'I won't see our father any more.'

Marc takes a sip of coffee. 'Go on.'

'I saw him last week. He's already sold the car you gave him. And spent most of the money.'

Marc raises an eyebrow. 'Sounds about right.'

Michael sighs. 'He's a selfish man. I know that. Deep down, I always knew it. I just wanted ... I don't know. All adopted kids have this romantic image of their birth parents. I suppose I wanted to cling onto the idea that our father was somehow good. But I'm better off without him. Everyone is.'

Marc watches him carefully. 'You really mean that?'

'I really mean it. You've always been a good brother. And I understand your protectiveness. Of Sophia and your child. I was wrong to think that I could have both you and our father in my life.'

'I don't want to force you to choose-'

'There's no choice. There really isn't. I choose you and your new family.'

'Michael, tell me the truth. If you still want to see our father-'

'I don't.'

As I watch Marc's stern expression, I have the strangest feeling. Like big hands gripping my stomach and pus.h.i.+ng tight.

Whoa.

I squirm around on the stool, but for a moment I just cannot get comfortable.

'Marc?' Michael asks. 'What do you say? Do we have a deal?'

Marc's lips go tight, and for a moment I think he's going to refuse. Then his eyes drop to the counter. 'Yes. Yes we do. Because I know Sophia will kill me if I say no.'