JACK The Blackbird
JACK
The Blackbird
I barely have time to process what I’m seeing when a blonde woman, striking and unmistakably polished, approaches our table with obvious intent.
For a second, I don’t even recognise her. Not that we ever really spoke back in Stratford - I only saw her around occasionally, mostly through Ian’s circle. And it’s been years since the last time.
Then it clicks, sharp and sickening, and the reason for all this tension finally falls into place: Maddie Clarke.
The realisation strikes me so hard I can’t quite move. I’m still staring at her when, without warning, Francis wraps me in a protective embrace.
The contact is so unexpected, so completely out of the blue, that for a split second I feel like I’m about to melt from the warmth radiating off his body.
Once the initial shock wears off, I find myself softening against him without the slightest resistance, letting myself lean into the strange, comforting safety of his lean, solid frame.
For a heartbeat, everything else fades: the pub noise, the chatter, even Maddie standing there in front of us. Until the tension at our table snaps tight again.
And if I’d had any doubts left about who she is, Remi puts them to rest with a single word.
“Maddie?!” he snaps, his voice sharper than I’ve ever heard it, eyes blazing with a fury that’s completely out of character.
Everyone at the table, Remi, Ian, Francis, the rest of the Blackbird Boys, they all look one breath away from leaping across the table to pin her to the floor.
Which is ironic, considering she looks more startled than dangerous. Almost intimidated, actually, by the sheer force of hostility radiating from the entire group.
I know the whole story, well, most of it, just like Ollie and Kit. The only ones who seem completely clueless are poor William, who’s clearly getting a hurried explanation from Anne, and Ludo, who luckily happens to be sitting next to the ever-composed Maude.
I can only hope Maude and Ollie too, will give him at least a partial rundown of what’s going on, because this whole situation feels dangerously close to a ticking time bomb, and I’ve got no idea how long before it blows up.
“What are you doing here?” the physics professor growls, pulling his husband protectively close like he’s genuinely afraid Maddie might try to snatch him away at any moment, and honestly, knowing their history, I can’t really blame him.
“Leave. Now,” he goes on, voice sharp as a blade.
“Before I call the police. You got away with it once because Seb was too kind to press charges, but the statute of limitations hasn’t run out yet, and if you don’t disappear immediately, I swear this time I’ll make sure you’re held accountable for what you did. ”
Maddie, who’s been silent until now, opens her mouth to speak and starts to move towards the table, but Ian, Noah, and Jamie are already on their feet, ready to pounce. Ollie and Kit aren’t far behind.
Francis, strangely, doesn’t let go of me for a second. He keeps one arm firmly wrapped around my shoulders and, even though I don’t quite see the need, I can’t help but enjoy the closeness.
At least, while it lasts.
That’s when Seb finally speaks up. He’s been glued to his husband this whole time, a stunned expression still frozen on his face.
“Let her talk, guys. She’s not Hannibal Lecter, for God’s sake. And you’re all here, right next to me. I’ll be fine. Just let’s hear whatever she’s come to say and then show her the door.”
Remi, obviously, tries to protest, followed by the murmured grumbles of everyone else, but it’s Anne who steps in now.
“Guys, please. Let’s do what Sebastian asked. I think this decision is his, and he’s made his feelings pretty clear.”
Reluctantly, the Blackbird Boys all nod, and those who were halfway to launching themselves across the table settle back into their seats.
Then Anne turns to the woman who’s been her best friend for practically her whole life, looks her straight in the eye, cold as ice, and says:
“But don’t even think about coming near him.”
Maddie raises her hands in surrender and nods. “Alright, as you wish.”
Then she falls silent for a moment, as if carefully weighing every word.
“First of all, I want to apologise to Sebastian for everything I did to him four years ago… I know words aren’t enough, and I’m well aware that it’s only thanks to his generosity that I didn’t end up in prison.”
“You can say that again,” Remi growls, barely containing his anger, but before he can throw her out of the pub, his ex-girlfriend goes on:
“There are no words that can truly make up for what I did, I know that. But what I want you all to know is that I’m deeply sorry for my actions.
I’ve been following a treatment programme in the US, where I now live permanently.
I’m doing everything I can to make sure I’m never a danger to anyone ever again.
I’m on medication under psychiatric supervision, and I attend regular therapy to manage my anger.
When my psychiatrist found out I’d be coming back to England after four years to visit my parents, he encouraged me to find you, not just to apologise to Sebastian, but to each and every one of you…”
Then she lowers her gaze. “I know I shouldn’t have shown up like this without warning, but if I’d reached out beforehand, I’m sure none of you would have agreed to see me.”
“That’s a given,” Ian replies, and Francis is quick to add, “Maybe, Maddie, it would’ve been better for everyone if you’d stuck to that plan.
You’d have saved yourself the trouble of coming all the way here, because I think it’s safe to say that none of us would’ve hesitated to tell you we’re absolutely not interested in re-establishing any kind of contact. ”
“I live in New York now, and I’ve no intention of moving back to London... There’s nothing to worry about. I just thought... maybe we could rebuild some kind of connection, even from a distance. I miss you guys. You’ve no idea what I’d give to have friends like you back in my life…”
“Well, my advice is: don’t do anything,” Remi cuts in, his voice cold. “As far as I’m concerned, I’m completely with Francis on this. And I suggest you stay well away from every single one of us.”
“Seb?” she calls out, her expression full of hope. The pianist, despite the worried look on his husband’s face, straightens just enough to meet the eyes of the woman who, a long time ago, had been both his girlfriend and his best friend.
“Thank you for your apology… and I accept it,” he begins, his voice soft and melodic as always. But then his gaze hardens, and he continues, “That said, I never want anything to do with you again. What happened between us was far too serious for any kind of relationship to be rebuilt.”
He pauses, his tone ice-cold now.
“So, I sincerely wish you the best with the rest of your therapy, but if I ever see you anywhere near me, my husband, or any of my loved ones, within a mile, I swear to God, I’ll report you without a second’s hesitation.
I already gave you a second chance to start over.
Be very clear on this, there won’t be a third. ”
With that, he turns his head and slumps against his husband’s chest, clearly drained after facing the woman who had nearly destroyed his life.
Remi leans over him, forgetting everyone else in the room, and gently runs his fingers through Sebastian’s hair. Then he presses a tender kiss to the top of his head and whispers something softly in his ear, too low for anyone else to hear.
At that point, Anne steps in and takes charge, turning to her former friend with quiet finality.
“Goodbye, Maddie. What everyone else said goes for me too.”
“And for me,” Jamie adds, quickly followed by Noah, Francis, and then one by one, everyone at the table, even Ludo and William, who, despite not knowing the full story, clearly grasp the weight of the situation.
Maddie nods, defeated, turns on her heel, and walks away. Moments later, we see her disappear through the pub door, and a collective sigh of relief rises from the group.
I truly hope, for her own sake, that she listens to what her former friends told her… and stays away for good.
The Blackbird Boys are fiercely protective of one another, and I doubt they’d let it slide if she ever dared to come near Seb or Remi again.
But I don’t think Maddie will. Regardless of whether her intentions are good or not, Miss Clarke strikes me as far too smart to risk throwing away her prestigious career, let alone her freedom, just because she can’t get over her ex-boyfriend… well, ex-boyfriends, plural, but let’s not split hairs.
Now that the danger, so to speak, seems to have passed, I can feel Francis’s body finally relax.
But the moment he realises he’s still holding on to me, he lets go, albeit a little reluctantly.
“Sorry…” he starts, visibly awkward, but I don’t give him the chance.
“Don’t even try it.” I murmur against his ear.
He flinches and looks at me, eyes wide with confusion.
“What do you mean?” he dares to ask, looking genuinely confused.
“It’s the second time today you’ve tried to apologise for hugging me, and honestly, I’ve had enough of it!” I snap, probably loud enough for half the table to hear.
But one glance around tells me everyone’s too busy checking if Seb’s okay, which I’ll do in a moment too, to pay any attention to my exchange with the infuriating Dr Starkey.
He’s staring at me like I’ve lost my mind, but I have no intention of letting this go.
“I know I’m not exactly your favourite person, but I thought things between us were getting better. Maybe you were just being nice because you needed my help with Adele, and fine, I can live with that. But if touching me bothers you that much, then maybe just stop doing it!”
His eyes are locked on mine, and for a second his face goes all tight and unreadable, like he’s trying to compute what I’ve just said. Then, out of nowhere, he bursts into full-blown laughter. Just like the night we first met.