Devoted: The Blackwell Lessons Part 36

'I told the clinic not to take calls while we were being treated,' Marc growls. 'I didn't want press fis.h.i.+ng to see if we were there. But someone must have tipped them off anyway.'

'c.o.c.kroaches the lot of them,' says Keith. He pulls the car out onto the road. 'Could the clinic have told them?'

Marc shakes his head. 'Impossible. I know the people at that clinic. They're professionals. They would never tip off the press. It would ruin their reputation.'

'The press always turn up at the worst moments,' Keith speeds the car through an amber light. 'When people are emotional. It was a good visit, I take it?' There's a note of concern in Keith's voice.

'Yes,' says Marc. 'The baby is healthy. That's the main thing.'

'That's a relief. I thought with you knocking out that photographer ... maybe ... well thank goodness. Did you find out if it was a boy or a girl?'

Marc laughs. 'You're worse than Sophia.'

'I'll leave you two to talk about your visit in private.' Keith slides the driver's gla.s.s closed.

'Marc,' I say. 'I've never seen you this way. So angry. It's ... sort of scary.'

'You're scared of me?'

'No! I know you'd never hurt me. But I've never seen you punch anyone like that before. For no reason ...'

'No reason? He was muddying my wife's name-'

'I don't care.'

'Well I do.'

'Marc. Since the pregnancy ... you haven't been yourself. Are you planning on telling me what's going on?'

'No. I'm not.'

'But Marc-'

'Now's not the time Sophia.' His voice softens. 'Now should be a happy time.'

'It is a happy time. I'm so happy. I can't even tell you. Who cares about the press? The only thing that matters is our baby.'

'I know.'

But Marc's still frowning.

69.

Filming Rapunzel takes us all the way through spring and summer, and some extra filming days are added in September too.

By then I'm pretty big. All my shots have to be from the neck up.

Luckily, Nadia arranged the schedule so that my body shots were taken early on. I have a body double to help me now.

My Rapunzel dress needs to be specially altered, and Marc insists I go shopping with Jen for maternity clothes.

The last day of filming ends up being on the September 5th much later than we thought. But apparently that often happens with movies. I know it's because Nadia wants to get everything absolutely right and shoot something amazing.

It's sort of special the last day. Because we all know we won't see each other in a while. Not until the premiere, which is scheduled for next year.

I waddle onto the set at 6am, fanning myself and wis.h.i.+ng the air conditioning worked better.

Ruby and Leo are already in the communal dressing room wearing their costumes.

'Happy last day, mamma,' says Leo. 'Bet you'll be glad to put your feet up, huh?'

'You can say that again,' I admit. 'But it's been fun. I'm glad I did this movie. I'm so lucky to be working with you again, Leo. And Ruby, it was great to have met you.'

'Likewise,' says Ruby, grinning and pulling on her fairy wings.

'What are your plans when filming is finished?' I ask.

'Back to Australia,' says Ruby. 'To the loving arms of my boyfriend.'

'Boyfriend? I didn't know-'

'I keep him quiet,' says Ruby. 'I don't want the press bothering him. And anyway, it's fun reading about all my so-called hook-ups in the magazines. The latest is that Leo and I have been going at it. Isn't that right big boy?'

'That's right,' Leo winks. 'They seem to have forgotten I'm engaged to be married.'

We hear raised voices from the corridor, and know that Baz and Sigourney have arrived.

'Are those two still arguing?' says Ruby. 'You would have thought they'd have run out of material by now.'

'Sigourney?' says Leo. 'Never.'

'I get the feeling Baz doesn't mind the fighting,' I say. 'I think it leads to a lot of making up.'

Ruby laughs.

We fall silent as we hear Sigourney shriek, 'Well, if you haven't slept with her, why the f.u.c.k does she have your number?'

'She's my agent for crying out loud!' Baz replies. 'What you want me to only work with men now?'

'Just because she's your agent, doesn't mean you haven't slept with her,' Sigourney shouts.

'Christ, give me strength.'

Baz and Sigourney appear in the doorway.

'Good morning all,' Baz says, giving us a tired smile. 'I'm guessing you heard our little love-in, just now. Serves me right for going out with this crazy b.i.t.c.h.'

'Oh so I'm crazy now?' says Sigourney, marching past us to one of the dressing rooms. 'Crazy is as crazy does.'

'Jesus Christ,' Baz shakes his head. 'Sigourney. Darlin', it's the last day of filming. Can't we just go one day without an argument?'

Sigourney doesn't reply.

'Great.' Baz rolls his eyes. 'The cold shoulder treatment. I wonder how long she'll manage it this time. Probably until the party tonight. Then she'll get drunk and start hitting me.'

'What party?' I ask.

'The last day of filming party,' says Leo. 'Oh right. You've never worked with Nadia before, have you? She always has one, on set. So it'll be right here as soon as we wrap up filming.'

'Always,' Ruby agrees. 'A big show-stopping fabulous party to say bon voyage.'

'It sounds great, but I need to tell Marc,' I say. 'He's ... pretty protective of me right now.'

'Too protective,' says Leo. 'What were you telling me the other day? That he doesn't like you leaving the house. Let alone working.'

'He may not like it,' I say. 'But I'm my own person. And if I want to work then I will.'

'I think it's sweet,' says Ruby. 'The way he picks you up every day. And makes sure you're drinking enough water. And that special chair he bought you for between scenes.'

Baz shakes his head. 'Horrible when you lose one of the boys to the other side. Marc used to be my right-hand man. But I can admit defeat. You've got him Sophia. Right under your thumb.'

'He's not under my thumb,' I say.

'Oh no?' Baz raises an eyebrow. 'The Marc I knew would never be running around after a woman.'

'That's not true,' I say. 'He's always looked after Denise. And his sister.'

'That's different. They're his family. I'm just saying you've changed him, that's all. He's a new man now. Not at all like he was before. When I knew him ...' Baz lets those words hang in the air for a moment. 'Right. Better get the costume on. I'll tell you what that chain mail is a b.u.g.g.e.r around the b.o.l.l.o.c.k-region. I've got saddle sore like you wouldn't believe. I'll be glad not to wear it any more.'

He swaggers off towards Sigourney's dressing room and knocks on the door. 'Lover boy here,' he says, grinning at us. 'Want to share a dressing room?'

'f.u.c.k off,' Sigourney shouts.

Baz sighs. 'Great. She really is going to keep this up all day.'

70.

When we finish shooting the last scene, there are cheers and the crew let off party poppers.

Nadia open bottles of champagne and fills gla.s.ses.

'Don't get too drunk now,' she warns us. 'The party will be ready in an hour. I want you to save yourselves.'

'Nadia, I need to ask Marc about the party,' I say. 'He's really protective right now. He might not think it's a good idea.'

'What is he? Your husband or your father?' Nadia scoffs. 'Sophia. You are a grown woman. Do you want to join us for the party?'

'Of course I do. I'd love to say goodbye to everyone properly, but-'

'Then there's no problem. You stay here with us. Eat some food. Have a gla.s.s of champagne. Say goodbye. We can't have the end-of-movie party without our leading lady now, can we?' She puts an arm around my shoulder. 'But hey why don't you invite Marc along? Then he can feel like he's looking after you. Nearest and dearest are all welcome.'

'Excellent!' says Leo, swaggering towards us. 'Because I've already invited Jen. Listen princess. You tell Mr Blackwell you're partying with the crew. And if he doesn't like it, he'll have Baz to deal with.'

Baz laughs. 'Me? Deal with Marc? You're having a laugh aren't you? He'd deal with me and you both.'

Around us, caterers arrive and set up long tables of food and drink.

'So!' Nadia claps her hands together. 'I thought, since the set looks like some big, beautiful castle today, we'd have a medieval banquet. Chicken. Bread. Beer. Red wine. What do you think?'

'Sounds great,' says Baz. 'When can we start drinking?'

As the party is being set up, I head out to the car park.

Marc's Aston Martin is waiting.

When he sees me, he climbs out of the car. 'Sophia. How are you feeling? Are you tired?'

'I'm fine. But listen I was wondering. Nadia's throwing a party and I think we should go to it. I won't see these people again for months. And we're all so happy to have finished.'

'Sophia-'

'Please Marc let's not fight over this. Let's go to the party together. And leave early together.'

Marc's frown softens. 'Fine. I suppose that, as of today, I get to keep you under lock and key until the baby comes.'

'Lock and key?'

'A figure of speech.'

'Interesting choice of words. Do you have any locks and keys at home?'

Marc raises an eyebrow. 'I just might.' He puts a hand to my stomach. 'Any more kicking?'