Patti’s new heartache over Matthew
As Matt announces his engagement, his family are worried
It should be the happiest time of Patti Newton’s life, learning her eldest child Matthew has met the woman he wants to spend the rest of his life with. But for Patti, 71, news of her troubled son’s engagement has come like a bolt out of the blue, and she can’t help feeling fearful. “Patti and Bert knew absolutely nothing about his relationship – let alone the engagement – and are worried sick about the future,” tells a close family friend.
Powerful politico
Last week news broke Matthew, 39, had popped the question to his 20-something US girlfriend Catherine Schneiderman, the daughter of Attorney General of New York Eric Schneiderman – a man who has battled to impose more severe punishments for domestic violence.
Given his history of violence – Matthew was arrested for beating his girlfriend Brooke Satchwell in 2006, and his then-fiancee Rachael Taylor in 2010 – it’s easy to see why Catherine’s relationship might not be welcomed by her father.
Like any mother, Patti is happy that after so much heartache Matthew – who’s been desperately lonely since his self-imposed exile to the US – has found someone. But she is well aware it could spell trouble, and his future father-inlaw is unlikely to understand if Matthew puts a foot wrong.
“Patti knows he’s not ‘fixed’, and there’s a chance this could all blow up in his face unless he has really changed and behaves himself. But she and Bert can’t ever be sure, given his unstable past,” tells a friend, adding she was concerned to see the pictures of Matthew with Catherine.
“His whole demeanour in the pics – where they are having an argument and the girl is in tears – reminds Patti just how hard a relationship can be.”
Motherly love
Patti can’t help but fret over her son from afar, and what makes it even worse is that Matthew doesn’t confide in her, which saddens and frustrates her.
“Patti won’t approach the girl’s family yet, she’s still planning her st strategy. And when she do does reach out it will be on the quiet, as she knows M Matthew would be angry at any interference,” tells th the family friend.
“All Patti wants is for M Matthew to live a happy li life, but the irony of it is h he left Australia to get a away from the publicity, a and now it seems to have fo followed him anyway.”