NIAMH 🐤

FAMILY

Hi Frank,

I wanted to write away from, well, away from the circus. Between lawyers and agents, and solicitors and managers, I’m exhausted. This started out as about us and it ought to end about us.

I know we haven’t spoke in some time… the last time was in July, wasn’t it? Just after the anniversary. I appreciated you returning my call. It was hard, you know, to do that day away from you. I always had these big plans, you know, on how to celebrate each year of our life. I also had a lot I wanted to do to your place in New York, but that’s neither here nor there, just an aside in case you do want my decorative notes.

So, yeah, that phone call. You weren’t cruel when I cried down at you about why this wasn’t working and that’s what I will remember, always. You were never cruel. You were sometimes hard work, but I always wanted to make that effort. ‘Sometimes people don’t work,’ you told me. But we still sat in silence until it was 12.01am in London and officially the day after the year was up. It was nice to have that last moment with you, the final few hours of us.

Steph said you know about Declan and that’s all right because I know about Jen. They get younger and blonder for us both, huh?

I’m gutted about this. I shouldn’t make jokes. But I’m happy, too, and I hope you are happy, as well. Because that’s all I ever wanted for you, for us — happiness. Remember when you asked me which Shakespeare character I felt I was? It’s always been Nursie, I said. I’m not beautiful enough for any of the heroines. You were so lovely to me, with all my insecurities, and I’m sorry they’ve contributed to this ending. But, as Nurse says, ‘seek happy days and happy nights’.

I’m all right with the offer on the table. £30m is more than fair, it’s overwhelmingly generous, but I also understand it’s partially hush money to keep me from reaching out to Lena. I’d have given you a NDA without the buy-out, but too late — all the paperwork is signed and sealed, like you’ve been asking for me to do since July. I did it. I’m ready. Oliver should have communicated to your lawyer when I’ll file in New York. No contest and it’s over in 60 days.

Mad, isn’t it? In just over two months, in time for the holidays, we’ll both be sort-of single. Single for tax purposes, at least. Mazel tov, Francis. You’d have made a great Jew.

Ally, she asked if it was serious — Declan and I. She said you wanted to know. I didn’t tell her, the nosy shite, but I’ll tell you here. Yes, I think so. Steph is just as excited about it as you can imagine. You’ll be pleased to know she thinks he is worse than you for BRAND MINNA MARKS. But then, maybe not? You never did like to be bettered, you competitive fuck. But, yes, I think it is serious. Rachel and Christine have been in touch about the whens and hows of anything official, and how it’d look for you. I know Rachel’s over the moon it looks like an affair, the sympathy for BRAND FRANCIS LYON is just fantastic.

It’s sad, I think, that we have to think of brands when this, what we had, was very real and still, to be honest, is real. For what it is worth, Francis, I still love you. I have loved you and I will love you. I hope, in time, we can be friends again. Thank you for making this as painless as possible.

Don’t be a stranger.

All my love always,
M x

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