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As an actor, Tudor’s response h: one that protected his family, his career, the trial There were so s at stake, not to mention the fact that the topic of all the hype was such a sensitive area We were expecting his publicist, Kate, to arrive in Calgary from LA so she could advise Tudor on what to do next Until then, there was nothing we could do

Drawing on both es to cope with the situation, I made cups of tea laced hiskey for everyone, and the six of us sat around the fire, no-one saying a thing

Henry broke the unco back and forth on his chair for near enough the last thirty , Tudor? What do you think you will say to the press?"

Samantha moved to sit next to Henry, hands on his tense shoulders, and Tudor pulledthe flahts "I don’t know Do I ask theon the topic of abuse, but have it hanging over my head for the rest of my career? Or do I coh? But then that will leaveall about us e’ve kept it so well-hidden for so long" He laid his forehead on my shoulder, defeated "I have no idea what to do for the best"

He gripped roaned I drew back and lifted his chin "What’s wrong? What’s going on that head?"

He looked sheepishly to the others in the rooed him to explain His head slumped forwards "I just don’t think I’m ready to talk about it to the world, it’s all too raw My family needed the next fewto talk about it all in the future with the trial, but now?"

I squeezed his hand in syaze on me "Why, just because I act on a screen, do I have to have et to read about our proble? Just a hot topic, gossip ues on scheduled breaks at work Can you i the topic of conversation to soed couple in God knohere: ‘Oh honey, have you seen this article about Tudor North, the actor? His father broke his jaw and fractured his collarbone with a chair leg when he was fifteen for spilling soda on the kitchen floor Anyhat ti your parents for lunch?’ That’sWhy do people need to pick at every God-damned part of me just because I act? Our lives are not entertainiven the lead roles in the latest fked-up celebrity scandal"

I felt sick listening to hiry tirade I could feelat the description of his injuries – a chair leg for spilling his drink? Good God! What else n up for the invasion into their personal lives when they pursue a Hollywood career, but surely there was a line thatwith issues like this

I heard a heavy, pain-filled sigh and turned to face Tudor He was staring at ret in his eyes and pulled eous I shouldn’t have lost my cool and told you aboutto me?"

"Because I upset you hat I said"

"That’s because I find it hard to hear how you were treated when you were a child I can’t stand what he did to you What he is still doing to you It’s like he has this hold over you all, I just feel so helpless I don’t kno to htness, and he whispered inyou" He shifted back against the chair, tucking hed to catch his attention "I’ht, how long can he possibly do this to us? Maybe if we’re honest and show hi that we know he is, then he’ll have to leave us alone, he’ll have no hold over us any"

Samantha, obviously proud of her husband, kissed his cheek and stared at him in adoration I had a lot of respect for Sa Henry for years and was clearly his rock We had both fallen in love with the brothers North, and we both si, modern women, and I was certain that we could all do it – that we could face the situation with poise and dignity We would make Emmeline Pankhurst proud