Page 155 of Fe
Judd kept glancing between Fen and his father. His father had a look on his face, a sort of…knowing smirk – at least that was the way Fen saw it. Arrogance. Had he pursued Fen’s mother until he’d got what he wanted? Fen wanted to speak up for her.
“My mum…” Fen choked up. “She was sixteen years old when you had sex with her. You were a lot older. Not a one-night stand despite what you claim. You had a relationship with her for four months. Long enough for her to think you loved her. She was wrong. You only love yourself. You only do things that make you look good. All your charity work…” Fen gave a short laugh. “…for disadvantaged children. What a slap in the face that is.”
He turned to Judd. “I had no idea who you were when I first met you. I wasn’t trying to hide anything or trick you. I realised when we were talking you were my half-brother, but I didn’t say anything. I’d have thought that would have shown you I’m not the guy painted in the press.”
Judd nodded and Fen moved towards the door.
“Dad! Say something to him!”
“He doesn’t exist,” Jack Miller said and Fen walked out.
Ripley was outside the building, talking on his phone. “I thought you’d left. Where’ve you been? I’ve called Harry. He’s coming to get us. Here—have my coat.”
He took it off and draped it over Fen’s trembling shoulders.
As they were waiting, the Miller family came out. Judd headed towards Fen.
“Toby!” his father shouted.
Judd ignored him. He came to a halt in front of Fen and Ripley.
“Dad’s a prick,” Judd said. “But I’m not. What you saw at your party is the real me. Can I have a hug from my brother? I’d like to get to know you.”
He held out his arms and Fen stepped into them.
“He can’t stand imperfection,” Judd whispered. “I think maybe that’s why he didn’t want to know you. Everything has to go his way. You’re better off without him. Can we keep in touch?”
“Yes.”
Judd nodded to Ripley and rejoined the others.
Harry pulled up in front of the limo the Millers were getting into and Ripley guided Fen over there.
“Turn the heating up, please,” Ripley said and climbed in next to Fen.
Ripley held his hand all the way back, but Fen didn’t change his mind about what he needed to do.
There was still a group of reporters outside the house, but fewer of them. Questions were thrown as they left the car.Are you his lawyer? What did your father have to say, Fen? Are you reconciled? Did you meet your brother and sisters?Ripley shielded him all the way to the door and closed it in their faces.
“Is there anything I can get you?” he asked Fen. “You didn’t eat breakfast. You should have something for lunch.”
“Maybe later. Thank you for coming this morning.”
Ripley pulled him into his arms and pressed his face into Fen’s hair. “I should have gone with you in the car. You were so good, Fen. When you told them to go fuck themselves, especially your father, I wanted to cheer. I can’t believe he didn’t speak to you.”
Fen hung up Ripley’s coat. “He came into the bathroom with Judd when I was in there. I told him I wouldn’t sign a gagging order but I wouldn’t talk about him. I said it was all lies about me, but he’d told a lie when he said my Mum had been a one-night stand. She wasn’t.” Fen headed for the living room. “I told him the only person he loved was himself. He only did things that made him look good. He still didn’t speak to me. Just saidHe doesn’t existand I walked out. He’s an idiot.”
Ripley tugged Fen down onto the couch. “Maybe youshouldspeak out about him. I could find you the right place to do that.”
“Not going to happen. He’s the sort of man the public feel can do no wrong. No matter what I said about him, he’d still be loved and I’d be criticised. He’s a star, does his own stunts, gives to charity, he and his wife have been married longer than most celebrity couples manage. I’ve seen how the truth is distorted. I don’t want more of that.”
“Judd seemed nice.”
“He is. I could be friends with him, but I don’t want to make his life difficult. My half-sisters are idiots who can’t see further than the next deal they’ll make to promote someone’s product. They don’t get that if they weren’t his daughters, no one would be interested in them.”
“You should probably call your Mum and tell her what happened.”
“I will. You know, I think I could manage something to eat. I’d love a tuna, mayo and cheese sandwich like the one you bought before.”
