69
As expected, the following morning in Treweham was chaos. Tabloids went wild with,“The Cavendish-Blakes’ hidden secret”; “Devlin’s a toff!”headlines to the more sedate articles stating:“the rather embarrassing announcement from one of England’s finest aristocratic lineage.”Marcus threw the newspapers on the table. So, he was a “rather embarrassing announcement” was he? The bastards. Then, on hearing his name, his head turned towards the TV.
‘The village of Treweham is once again in the public eye,’ said the news reporter. Marcus blinked. Was that The Templar in the background? It was! The bloody reporter was stood outside The Templar. ‘Here, home to the Cavendish-Blake family, the village is alive with news from Treweham Hall. The documentaryGreen and Pleasant Land?last night gave the explosive revelation that the documentary’s own producer, Marcus Devlin, is in fact the firstborn son of the late Lord Richard Cavendish-Blake, sending shock waves through the nation.’
Marcus rolled his eyes at the sensationalism being whipped up by the presenter.
‘Marcus spoke candidly about the secret his own mother had kept from him.’
Marcus’ jaw clenched at the mention of his mam. Then, to his horror, a picture of her holding him as a baby suddenly appeared on the screen. Where the feck did they get hold of that? His eyes widened as more snapshots of his childhood home in Ireland spilled onto the screen. That pretty whitewashed cottage with the hills in the background was there, for all and sundry to see; another of him as a toddler running through the wild flower meadows – again with his beloved mam, then more of him growing up, school photographs, his teenage years at university, him receiving awards, to the one that absolutely enraged him – a wedding picture of him and Finula.Who the hell had given them that?
His hands curled into fists. He was livid. Then the reporter was back with her chirpy spiel. ‘So, to get a picture of how Marcus is coping with the shock of his parentage, we have local vet, Nick Fletcher, to give us some inside knowledge.’Who the feck’s Nick Fletcher?raged Marcus. He’d never set eyes on the guy. Then, he vaguely remembered a couple of his TV crew had interviewed him for the documentary and had shot some footage of his veterinary surgery. So, that must make him a close friend, he thought incredulously, almost choking on the complete brazenness of the pillock.
‘Nick, tell us about Marcus and how he must be feeling right now.’
‘Well obviously Marcus has a lot of adjusting to do, but I’m sure he’ll get a lot of support from his wife, Finula.’
Marcus’ eyes narrowed.
‘So you know his wife then?’ asked the reporter.
‘Yes.’ Nick gave a slight laugh, faking embarrassment. ‘I was actually her boyfriend, before she met Marcus.’
Marcus’ mind flashed back again. He did seem to recall Finula mentioning how he had two-timed her with Sebastian. Neither of them had known at the time that Nick was bisexual and he had very deceitfully dated them both, causing heartache to both parties once found out. Theshite. Marcus was incensed.
‘I’m also a close friend of Sebastian Cavendish-Blake,’ gloated Nick with a wide smile.
Marcus wanted to punch the TV screen; instead he switched it off with disgust. He stood up and looked out of the window. The cast-iron gates of Treweham Hall were locked securely, but beyond them he could just make out the rows of journalists, photographers and news reporters lining up. He closed his eyes, wanting to block it all out. Just then Finula entered the room. On seeing Marcus’ face, she instantly knew what had happened. That and seeing the discarded newspapers on the table.
‘They’re all out there,’ he stated flatly, pointing to the window, ‘like vultures.’
‘I know,’ she replied quietly.
‘Nick Fletcher’s just been on TV, by the way, saying how close he is to you and Sebastian.’
Finula’s head shot up. ‘What?’ she spat. She quickly turned the TV back on, just to get the tail end of the interview.
‘Thanks, Nick, for sharing this with us.’
‘My pleasure.’ He beamed smugly.
‘The cheeky bastard!’ Finula bellowed.
‘I thought so,’ remarked Marcus calmly. For the first time ever, his wife was showing real emotion over the whole episode.
‘They’re outside The Templar.’ She squinted at the screen. ‘Don’t say they’ve tried to get hold of my dad.’
She immediately reached for her phone inside her bag as Marcus said evenly, ‘I wouldn’t bother trying to ring him.’ He tipped his head towards the TV. There, on national television, was Dermot standing outside the pub.
‘Now listen here,’ he told the reporter with force, ‘my son-in-law is a fine man and an asset to the Cavendish-Blake family and my Finula is lucky to have him as a husband. That’s all I’ve got to say on the matter – now clear off.’ And with that he strode back into The Templar leaving the interviewer somewhat staggered.
‘Good for you, Dad!’ shouted Finula and fell onto the sofa in hysterics. Marcus too couldn’t stop laughing. Together they howled, unable to stop.
*
Sebastian wasn’t laughing. He had seen the interview with Nick Fletcher and he wanted to slap the sly dog’s face. How dare he appear on TV and say those things? Didn’t he realise the effect it would have on all concerned? Of course he did, but he simply didn’t care. That had been Nick Fletcher all over: selfish. Would their love affair be plastered all over the papers next? How much was Nick getting? Or did he do it purely for the limelight? He could feel an anxious sensation settle in the pit of his stomach. Stress, something he could well do without, especially with his condition.
Jamie turned off the TV. ‘Don’t watch any more. He’s so not worth it.’
