13
Edward gurgled and kicked in his cot, as Tobias wound up the musical mobile again. He watched his son’s eyes sparkle with delight at the small, suspended teddy bears slowly spinning round above his head and his heart melted. He turned on hearing Megan enter the nursery.
‘That was Finula on the phone,’ she said joining them. Her gaze fixed on the bundle of joy that was their baby. ‘She and Marcus are coming to Treweham at the weekend.’
‘Do you hear that, Edward?’ Tobias picked him up out of his cot, ‘Uncle Marcus and Aunty Finula are coming to see us.’ Edward burped and grabbed Tobias’ nose.
‘Charming, young man.’ Megan laughed, then wrinkled her nose. ‘He needs his nappy changing.’ She reached out to take him.
‘I’ll do it,’ said Tobias, relishing spending time with his son. It wasn’t often enough that he could get away from running the Treweham Hall estate and all that encompassed. Moments like this, with just the three of them together, were precious to him.
‘I’m looking forward to seeing Finula.’ Megan missed her best friend dreadfully. ‘She wants us to look at wedding dresses.’
‘I see,’ replied Tobias, gingerly taking off Edward’s dirty nappy. ‘I could do to talk to Marcus.’
Megan turned sharply. ‘What about?’ She waited while he wiped Edward clean and put a fresh nappy on him, which was proving difficult to manoeuvre as he kicked and wriggled. Finally Tobias managed to change him. He looked at Megan.
‘I’m worried about Sebastian.’
‘Why?’
‘I can’t put my finger on it, but somehow he’s not his usual self.’
Megan had noticed that her brother-in-law did seem a little tired, but had put it down to all the organising he’d had to do setting up The Folly Players.
‘Do you think it’s stress?’ she asked.
‘Possibly, but before he set up his business I think he looked drained.’ Megan paused and pondered for a moment. Thinking of it, she too had been a touch concerned about Sebastian. She remembered asking him if there was anything wrong, towards the end of her pregnancy. For a split second he’d looked as if he was about to open up, but then the shutters had come down and he’d closed up on her.
‘Mm, do you think Marcus could help?’
‘Yes, they gel well – he might confide in him. Also, with Jamie knowing Marcus too, it could encourage him to talk.’ Jamie, as the runner in the TV documentary crew, which Marcus had headed, had always looked up to him. In turn, Marcus had seen Jamie’s potential and had arranged for him to interview the three brothers as part of the documentary. It made sense that Sebastian would feel comfortable enough to share something with Marcus.
‘Have you tried speaking to him?’ asked Megan.
‘Yes, but I sense resistance. I suspect it’s because he thinks I may involve Mother. At least with Marcus, there wouldn’t be that risk.’
‘True,’ she agreed. With Marcus being the eldest brother with a different mother to his younger half-siblings, Sebastian may subconsciously talk more freely, without the worry of any impact on his family.
‘So, when you and Finula are out busy shopping for a wedding dress—’ Tobias handed over a sweet-smelling Edward ‘—I’ll be having a word with Marcus.’ Megan took hold of him. ‘Right.’ He kissed her on the lips and rubbed his son’s head. ‘The estate manager wanted to see me at some point today; hopefully I won’t be too long.’
‘OK.’ She smiled, waving Edward’s podgy, little hand. ‘Say bye-bye to Daddy.’
