Page 237 of Murder in the Family

Maybe not that night, but what about later? Didn’t your sisters go into therapy? Didn’tyou? How could any mothernothave known?

GUY HOWARD

That’sprivate—

REPORTER #4

It’s in your series, mate. That makes it public in my book. You can’t have it both ways—

GUY HOWARD

(starting to back away)

I don’t have anything more to say. If you have any further questions, you can direct them to my lawyer. In the meantime I’d be grateful if you could give me and my family some privacy—

REPORTER #4

—‘at this difficult time’. Yeah, right.

(under his breath)

And meanwhile you milk it for all it’s bloody worth.

REPORTER #3

(quietly agreeing)

Ratings up by twenty per cent. At a conservative estimate.

CUT TO: Studio. There are dark clouds outside and rain spattering against the windows. Nick is at the table, as is Tarek. There are now two TV screens on the wall.

NICK VINCENT (Producer)

So, I thought that with so much having happened we should all get round the table one last time.

And I’m pleased to say Guy is joining us by Zoom from Somerset, where he’s been staying with his mother.

One of the TV screens comes to life. Guy is in a sitting room with a large garden visible beyond. The trees are bare and there’s mist clinging to the hollows. Guy looks thinner than last time, subdued, untidy. He needs a haircut and his clothes have not been ironed. He’s on Mute.

LAILA FURNESS

Can I just say, Guy, on behalf of all of us, how sorry we are about how everything’s turned out. It must be a terrible time for you and your family. I hope you’re getting the help you need.

And Amelie too – so much of what we’ve learned of her history makes sense now. If only someone could have seen that and intervened at the time. It’s tragic, Guy, truly tragic.

Guy raises a hand in brief acknowledgement, but he doesn’t Unmute.

JJ NORTON

(looking round at the rest of the team)

I don’t know about anyone else but it seems like years since we started all this. Or maybe I’ve just aged that much as a result—

BILL SERAFINI

(dryly, to Nick)

Well, you must be pleased with how it’s gone – you’re all over the press. I’ve had calls from people I haven’t spoken to in thirty years.

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