‘You’re what?’ asked Finula gently.
‘I’m scared.’ He gulped.
‘Of what? The documentary? Don’t be, I know it’ll be brilliant – everyone’s going to be amazed by it.’
‘Of the outcome and the impact it’s going to have on us.’
Finula looked into his troubled eyes. He really was a tortured soul at times and not always with good reason. Yes, she accepted there would be media attention, that was obvious, but it would calm down. She’d seen it happen with Tobias and Megan, especially at the time of their wedding. She walked over to him and put her arms round his waist.
‘Now listen to me, together we’ll weather the storm. We’re amongst family and friends who care about us. The press won’t be here forever. You’ll soon be yesterday’s news. Believe me, I’ve seen it happen before with Tobias.’ Then as though the thought had just occurred to her she added, ‘What do you think your mum would make of the documentary?’
He paused, then answered. ‘I think she’d be proud… and glad I’ve been recognised.’
‘Exactly. I’m sure she’d be pleased that you’ve found your brothers too.’
‘Yes, yes she would.’ He smiled warmly into her eyes. Where the hell would he be without her?
*
That evening the whole family gathered together to watch the documentary. The air was heavy with anticipation, excitement and suspense. All had good seating positions with a full view of the big screen, except the Dowager. Beatrice had chosen to sit discreetly at the back of the room. Tobias, Megan, Marcus, Finula, Sebastian and Jamie all sat together enjoying drinks and canapés before the start.
Marcus was feeling much more relaxed after Finula’s wise words, a long, soothing bath and a couple of Jameson whiskeys. Every now and then he’d catch Finula’s eye and he’d get a reassuring smile. Then the grandfather clock chimed, it was time for the documentary to start. The titleGreen and Pleasant Landshone onto the screen accompanied by sweet, choral music, only to turn into a more sinister tune, as the question mark gradually appeared after the title, indicating that perhaps the land wasn’t so green and pleasant after all. It set the tone perfectly, signifying that the story about to be told wasn’t going to be just about the quintessential, quaint English countryside, but would expose the great injustice too – of poor housing, poverty and how the vulnerable were forced to cope.
The village of Treweham was spellbound. All the villagers who had taken part in the documentary sat glued to their screens. At The Templar, all the locals gathered round the large TV with avid interest.
True to form, the documentary provoked many emotions, which all Marcus’ work was notorious for. He had the absolute skill to evoke sympathy and despair at families being evicted; anger at all the idiotic bureaucracy and envy mingled with awe at the vast, impressive country estates of the aristocracy. It highlighted the inequality and discrimination of the class system and the great chasm between the classes. When the culmination of the interview came, the whole audience across the country was riveted. There they were, the two Cavendish-Blake brothers, familiar faces to the nation, plus one. The opening lines from Jamie, who had interviewed them, spelled it out completely.
‘Thank you, gentlemen, for agreeing to be interviewed. Marcus, it must be especially challenging for you?’
‘In a way, yes. Then again, I’m glad it’s all out in the open now,’ Marcus had calmly replied, giving direct eye contact to the camera.
‘How did you feel when learning of your true parentage?’
‘I was always led to believe that my father had been killed in an accident. To be told the truth by my dying mam was astonishing.’
‘Tobias and Sebastian, how does it feel to have Marcus suddenly in your lives?’ Jamie had continued.
‘He’s our brother and the family accepts this,’ Tobias had answered resolutely. ‘I’m sure if our father had known of Marcus’ existence, then we would have been brought up with him.’
‘Diaries, written by Father, prove he knew nothing about Marcus, which is a tragedy,’ continued Sebastian.
‘But they do document a relationship with my mam,’ Marcus had explained.
‘And the DNA tests confirmed we all share the same father,’ Tobias had stated.
And so the interview continued; three brothers united in one family. They spoke agreeably together, giving clear, concise answers, gelling seamlessly, with the picture of their father hanging above, looking down on them.
The documentary ended with the same choral music it had started with, gradually fading with the subtitles rising up from the screen. There in bold letters was Marcus Devlin’s name as producer. A short silence followed. Then Tobias raised his glass.
‘Well done, Marcus.’ All agreed and saluted him. The door closed quietly as Beatrice tactfully vacated the room.
