The Blackwell Lessons (23 page)

75

Marc helps me dress, and I pull the maternity coat tight around me.

‘Do you think the baby is cold in this weather?’

‘No. But I think you need another new coat. That one barely fits you any more.’

‘It’s so soon until the baby gets here. Is it really worth it?’

‘Of course it is. It’s very important you’re comfortable. Why don’t you go out with Jen? Buy some new clothes?’

‘I’m not sure more new clothes will fit in the house.’

‘You need a new coat.’ Marc kisses my forehead. ‘I have to leave you this afternoon. It would be good if Jen looks after you.’

Something prickles in my stomach. ‘Why do you have to leave?’

‘Nothing for you to worry about. Just don’t give birth while I’m away.’

I laugh. ‘It’s still a month until the due date.’

‘The doctor said you could go into labour at any moment.’

‘But she also said it was unlikely. And that first births are usually overdue.’

‘Either way. I don’t want you left alone.’

‘Then don’t leave me,’ I say, aware my voice sounds a little pleading.

Marc frowns. ‘This will be the last time, okay? There’s something I need to sort out. Something important before the birth. You’ll be fine with Jen.’

‘I know. And it’ll be good to see her. She’s going crazy over the wedding. But—’

‘Keith’s picking me up in an hour or so. Then he’ll come back and drive you into London. Buy anything you like. Here’s my card.’

As Jen and I drive into the city, I try to join in her happy wedding chatter. But all I can think about is Marc. And what he’s doing this afternoon.

‘Okay,’ says Jen, as we near the department store. ‘Come on. What’s going on? You’re too quiet.’

‘It’s nothing,’ I say. ‘Carry on talking about the wedding. It’s fine.’

‘Oh no. I know what a “fine” means coming from you. Is everything okay Soph? The baby’s all right isn’t it?’

I nod. ‘Everything’s great there. I’m doing all that hypnosis stuff you sent me. Trying to stay calm.’

‘So why the sad face?’

‘It’s Marc.’

‘What about him?’

‘He’s … I don’t know. He said he had something to sort out this afternoon. But he didn’t say what.’

‘So?’

‘So … I just get the feeling something is going on. Maybe something to do with this secret Baz was talking about.’

‘You are
heavily
pregnant Soph. Are you sure your hormones aren’t making you paranoid?’

‘No. I’m not sure at all.’

The limo stops behind Cursey and Taylor at a private entrance used by celebrities. It always makes me feel funny using the VIP entrance. Because I don’t feel like a celebrity.

A doorman lets us in, and we’re shown to a private dressing room on the top floor. We’re brought tea and scones, and then assistants parade all sorts of lovely maternity coats in front of us.

Straight away, I pick a beautiful soft pink one. It’s taken to be wrapped in tissue paper.

‘So what now?’ says Jen, checking her watch. ‘That was supposed to take all afternoon.’

‘How about we do some wedding shopping for you? Didn’t you need party favours or something?’

‘Yes, but I can’t take a pregnant woman shopping with me. You’ll keel over.’

‘I’ll be fine.’

‘I don’t want you giving birth in a department store. Anyway, Marc won’t be happy if I take you out in the crowds.’

‘Honestly I’m fine. I’m totally fit and healthy and I’ve been sitting around indoors for so long. Come on – let me out into the real world.’

‘Okay, but we should take a security guard. I don’t want you getting mobbed.’

‘Jen, this is me we’re talking about. Not Jenifer Lopez. No one’s going to recognise me.’

‘Soph, are you living in crazy land? You and Marc are in the papers every day. They’ve even given you two a name.’

‘They have?’

‘Yep. They’re calling you “Marc-So”.’ She pats my hand. ‘I’ll make sure the security guard is a plain-clothed guy. Wait there. I’ll get it sorted.’

76

Jen and I take the lift to the ground floor, followed by a plain-clothed security guard.

It feels weird to be out in public again. Nice weird. Especially since all the sparkly Christmas stock is on display. But Jen is right – everyone
is
staring at me.

At first, I try to smile. But that’s a little tiring, so I end up just avoiding people’s eyes.

‘Hey – look at those amazing champagne glasses!’ says Jen. ‘What if they were the party favours? I could get them engraved and people could take them home as gifts.’

‘Nice idea,’ I say. ‘And what about little packets of seeds? People could grow them and the plants would make them think of your wedding.’

Jen laughs. ‘You and your plants! I like your thinking though. I’ll try and find a—’ Jen looks across the store, frowning.

‘What?’

‘I thought I saw Marc for a second. Is he meeting you here?’

‘What?’ I whirl around to where Jen is looking, but I don’t see anyone. ‘No. He’s not meeting me.’

Jen shakes her head. ‘Sorry. It really did look like him. But it must have been my imagination.’

‘Okay. That does it.’

‘What? What’s the matter?’

‘This keeps happening. Marc keeps turning up places. And then he vanishes. Now you’ve seen him too. This can’t be a coincidence. I’m going to find him.’

‘Soph, wait!’ Jen runs after me. ‘Calm down. Remember you’re pregnant.’

When I reach the limo, I knock hard on the window.

‘Keith,’ I bark. ‘Where did Marc go?’

Keith winds the window down. ‘I can’t tell you where he is. I promised him, Mrs Blackwell.’

‘I don’t care what you promised. Tell me where he is.’

‘An order is an order …’

‘And now
I’m
giving you an order. I order you to tell me where Marc is. Are you waiting for him here?’

‘No, I’m waiting for you, Mrs Blackwell.’

‘Then where is he?’

‘I can’t tell you. Come on. I’ll take you home.’

‘No! You’ll tell me where Marc is.’

Keith sighs. ‘Get in. I’ll drop your friend off at her apartment. And then we’ll meet up with Marc.’

‘Meet up with him? But he was right here. At the store.’

‘Please get in the car, Mrs Blackwell.’

‘Okay. Fine. But you’ll take me to Marc after we’ve dropped Jen off?’

‘I’ll take you to Marc.’

77

Keith drops Jen off at her apartment, and then we head back across London.

I put my hands to my stomach, wanting to cry.

What on earth is going on? Why would Marc be following me like this?

I take out my phone and call his number. He answers on the first ring. ‘Sophia. Are you okay?’

‘You know I am. What’s going on Marc?’

‘I told you. I had some things to sort out.’

‘Why didn’t you tell me you were in London?’

A pause.

‘How did you know I was in London?’

‘Jen saw you.’

‘Where are you?’

I look around. ‘I don’t know. Covent Garden. Shaftesbury Avenue.’

‘Is Keith with you?’

‘Yes. I’m with him in the limo.’

‘And where’s Jen?’

‘Back at Leo’s apartment.’

‘Tell Keith to pull over. I’m coming to get you.’

‘Keith?’ I tap on the glass. ‘Would you pull over please?’ I clamp the phone tight to my ear. ‘Why were you spying on me Marc?’

‘Sophia, I wasn’t spying on you.’

‘Oh no? Jen
saw
you.’

‘You were supposed to be shopping.’

‘We
were
shopping.’

‘Sophia. This is important. I want you to stay in the limo. Don’t get out. I’m coming to get you.’

I hang up the phone, but as I drop it into my coat pocket I feel an overwhelming surge of morning sickness.

I put a hand to my mouth, swallowing desperately to keep everything down.

Dr Christian said I might get sick again at the end of my pregnancy. And she said it might come on when I was stressed. Well I certainly am stressed right now.

A powerful wave of nausea hits me and I know I can’t keep it down.

I throw the car door open and vomit in the gutter.

‘Oh my god,’ I mutter, putting a hand to my head.

Another wave of nausea hits me, and I pull myself out of the car into the fresh air. Walking feels good, and as I pace back and forth by the limo the sickness passes.

I grab my phone and call Marc again.

‘Marc, I think I might have got the address wrong.’

‘Sophia, I hear traffic. Are you in the car?’

‘The road sign says—’

Suddenly my phone is snatched from my hand.

‘Hey!’ I yell, seeing a tall man in a leather jacket tear down the street. ‘That’s my phone! Come back!’

A few shoppers turn to stare.

Keith leaps out of the car. ‘Stay right where you are Mrs Blackwell. I’ll catch him. Don’t you worry.’

Keith runs into the crowd.

I lean against the limo, heart pounding.

And then I hear a voice.

‘Hello Sophia.’

I turn and see Marc.

But it’s not Marc.

He has a similar nose and face shape. But his eyes are different. They’re dark brown. Almost black.

‘Who are you?’ I breathe, gripping the limo door handle.

78

‘We’ve met before.’ The man’s voice is deep and rich like Marc’s. But the way he talks … he has a slight northern accent. Like he’s from Leeds, or somewhere near there. Nothing like Marc’s clipped London English.

‘We have?’ My mind is screaming, run, run! But I know my body can’t run far.

‘I’m Marc’s little brother,’ says the man. ‘Michael.’

‘
What?
’ I say, my voice high and scared. ‘Have you been following me? At the department store today? And on set?’

‘I admit I have,’ says Michael. ‘Marc has all but cut me out of his life. So I thought … I’d heard you were kind. I thought maybe if I talked to you, you might persuade Marc to let me back in.’

My head is pounding. Am I dreaming? ‘This is too weird. This can’t be …’

But even as I’m saying the words, I know this man must be related to Marc. He looks
so
much like him.

‘Why doesn’t Marc want anything to do with you?’ I ask.

‘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 hell 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.’