The Syndicate

Part 14. Asking To Many Questions.

Thomas's POV:

We got to the Manor, to find it already swarming with press and photographers, snapping pictures of the Manor and talking to Denise, who is part of the lottery team. We got out of the car, to then be ushered straight into the Manor itself and we were being pushed from pillow to post, with everyone trying to smarten us up. The girls were getting their hair and makeup done and us men were getting our hair styled and stuff.

Everyone was gathered around us, like we were animals in zoo, Spencer and his mother were there, including Denise and a few of the make-up team. I was glaring daggers at Spencer, oh I hate him with a passion. Denise was chatting to Lady Hazelwood. "So erm, the press might want t' take a statement from you". She said. "If they ask, er I'm sure I can say a few words". Lady Hazelwood said. "Poor Dawn, looks like she's ready to burst into tears". Spencer commented. I then nearly lunged forward at him, but I was held back slightly by Sean, who had a slight concern on his face. How dare he comment on how a woman who has two of her children missing, I thought to myself.

"Well they still haven't found her daughter's yet". Denise sympathised. Just then, Sarah and Julie walked over to us. "Right, everything's sorted so who's going t' say it?". Julie asked. "Not me, I don't know what the hell I'm doing here". Sean replied. "Me either, I thought I was only supposed to be your nephew and not part of this". I commented. "Shh!". Sean snapped slightly at me. I just kept quiet and didn't back chat. "You agreed, I'll say it". Sarah snapped at Sean, but address the rest of us afterwards.

Just then, Denise and that smug git Spencer walked over to us. "Are you bearing up love?". Denise asked Dawn. "I'm doing this for our Amy and Charlotte". She replied. "Of course you are and we couldn't do this without you, you know what with Godfrey not being here". Denise told her. "And I know it's difficult, but when we go outside, do you think you could all manage a smile?". Denise asked us all. "Are you jokin'!". I muttered under my breath and looked at Sean, who was just as shocked as I was, that she would even ask such a thing.

"You've won all this money". Spencer, said to Dawn. "I know, I know I have". Dawn replied, as she looked sorrowful and down at her nails, as she began to pick at them. "Then maybe you could use some of it to try and find them?". Spencer added. "Well that's right, you could offer a reward". Denise interjected. "Great idea". Spencer said. "Their not some lost dogs on a lost poster, that you write reward if found, that you go sticking up round town, this is two young girls were talking about!". I snapped slightly, no one dared utter a word to me, as they must have sen how agitated I was becoming, especially towards that Spencer, for I wanted to walk over and punch him.

"Are you nearly ready, they're going mad down there, I can't 'old them off for much longer". A woman interrupted our conversation, as she walked in with a giant cheque in hand. "All right, all right, hold ya horses". Denise told her, as she took the cheque from her. "Ok, take the cheque and don't hold it up to high, cos we want to see your faces, so if you'll all do us, a nice little smile, come on, it'll be over before you know it, best foot forward, come on!". Denise told us, in her cheerful state. As soon as she turned her back, I did an army salute, I then began to march like a solider, as we followed her onto the balcony. Sean saw me and laughed, but then elbowed me gently in the side, to get me to stop messing around.

Denise and this other woman, were the first to step onto the balcony followed by the rest of us. "Ladies and gentleman of the press, I would like to introduce to you, the newest Mercury Millions winners, the staff of Hazelwood Manor, thank you so much". Denise address the photographers and the interviewers, as we all spilled out behind her onto the balcony, we were also joined by Lady Hazelwood and I hate to say it but Spencer too. Luckily for us, it was a bright sunny Autumn day, I would have hated it if it was raining. Once Denise was done speaking, that's when the madness began. Photographers flashing their cameras, at every given opportunity. The interviewers, shouting out questions all at the same time, it was hard to understand, who was asking what, as it sounded like a swarm of bees, buzzing waiting to attack us all.