The Riviera

by Karen Aldous

  As soon as they arrived back home, Jack and Thierry raced off to their room to collect some of Thierry’s toys. Lizzie put the kettle on and, catching his eye as he breezed in, ushered Cal straight to the kitchen area and relayed her concerns.

  Cal appeared thoughtful for a moment, then shook his head. ‘No. We only spoke about it this morning. He knows we won’t discuss London until he finishes his SATS.’

  Lizzie took a step back. ‘Well, it sounds to me like his mind is made up. And I can’t help thinking he’s beginning to resent me for diverting your attention.’

  Cal, peering around to the living room, kept a low tone. ‘Don’t be ridiculous, he likes you.’

  ‘Cal, I wasn’t imagining it. I mean, if looks could kill, and the way he acted. Look, I’m not stirring or anything, I just think you should be aware.’ Lizzie clenched her hands. ‘Unless of course, you’ve told him you’ll go to London with him.’

  Cal’s eyes sank to the floor. ‘He seems so set on going. I can’t rule it out, but I can’t seem to persuade him otherwise.’

  Chapter 17

  Confused, Lizzie strutted along to the salon leaving Cal at the apartment. All she needed was honesty. If he had to go to London, then she would deal with it somehow but why did he feel the need to conceal it? After all, she’d not been unreasonable about him staying over in Nantucket. In fact, she thought she had handled it with saintly decorum. Her insides might have been screaming but her acting skills had really surprised her. God only knows what Cal intends. If he thinks he can persuade his son to change his mind, he needs a sharp wake-up call. And there was no way she was imagining Jack’s resistance. If Cal was hoping the vineyard would win Jack over, he was very much mistaken.

  Josephine and Lucie were at the salon counter as she entered the sparkling reception area. They immediately looked up with warm smiles and welcoming greetings which softened Lizzie’s mood.

  ‘Yes, we have some very high-profile clientele returning this year, Lizzie,’ Josephine informed her. ‘I’ll come to your office and go through them with you.’

  ‘Brilliant. That’s ample proof we have provided a good service. We need to ensure they get it this year too.’

  Lucie clapped her well-manicured hands and clasped them to her chest. ‘We’ve matched most to the same make-up artist as last year unless they’ve specified otherwise, and we have two who are booked in to have work with Sophie. Word is really spreading, and Angus, well, he is already charming them back to spend more.’

  ‘Yes,’ agreed Josephine with a girlish giggle, ‘a handsome, single man with his talent is creating vibrations among the community. It is good.’

  A proud flutter made Lizzie’s lips curl. ‘Fantastic, that’s what I like to hear. I’m so proud of you guys. Is Sophie still here?’

  Josephine nodded. ‘Yes, she has two more appointments after this one. I doubt she will be free until at least five.’

  ‘Oh, bless her. I thought she was going to leave early,’ Lizzie said, wondering why Angus wasn’t helping her out. ‘Is Angus here?’

  ‘Yes, he has two more this afternoon too but one is surgical. Sophie is in Room One.’

  ‘Wow, they are busy.’ Lizzie felt a surge of guilt rise in her like she wasn’t pulling her weight.

  ‘It’s the introductory offer you set up for Angus. The bookings over the last two days have been coming in fast and furious.’ Josephine tucked a short piece of hair behind her ear. ‘We will manage while Sophie is away but we need to know how long he can work if the demand keeps coming. We’ll need to know how far to book him in advance.’

  ‘OK. I’ll speak to him but book Sophie’s in first. And I guess we’ll have to review it in a few days.’

  Lucie stepped out from the counter as a client came back to reception from a treatment with Sophie’s assistant.

  ‘Is everything OK, Madame Menard?’ she asked, collecting an expensive jacket from the closet.

  ‘Yes, very happy. Thank you. Sophie is very gentle and this I’m sure will go down in a few hours,’ she said pointing to her blotchy skin. ‘Can you please book me in for a facial next week?’

  Lizzie squealed inside. It was sweet music to her ears to hear the clients so satisfied and booking in for beauty straight away. The feeling never wavered. This business was progressing way beyond her wildest dreams and Sophie was such a hit. In just six months, her addition as cosmetic surgeon had really created another dimension as well as brought her best friend close.

  ‘I’ll see you shortly,’ she said to Josephine who had gone into the computer booking system.

  A few minutes after her meeting finished and Josephine had left her office, Lizzie was going through her schedules when she heard a tapping on the open door. With a beaming smile, Angus strolled in, his broad shoulders twitching back in what Lizzie considered an amusing, nervousness. She greeted him with the usual two kisses and watched as he sat in front of her. She wasn’t sure what it was but he had a real comfortableness about him she really liked.

  ‘So, I’m hearing some good things. How are you feeling?’

  ‘Yes. I’m really pleased. It’s so busy. I’ve worked in many cities but this place is really buzzing.’ Angus’s pupils swelled as he tapped the side of his thigh.

  A sharp gasp of pride hiccupped in Lizzie’s throat. ‘Thank you, I’m so thrilled to hear that,’ she said.

  He bent his head to one side. ‘You should be really proud. And, the staff here are a real credit to you.’

  The melodic sound of Edinburgh drew her in. His manner was so genuine and emphatic. What was it about him that entranced her?

  ‘Well, if it continues, I wanted to check if you are likely to be around for a few weeks. Sophie and I couldn’t make any promises but if the demand continues, we will probably need extra help. How would that fit with your plans?’

  Angus searched the air for a second and said, ‘Apart from a visit from my mother in the middle of May, nothing, but that’s your peak time isn’t it?’

  Lizzie nodded, pulling a face.

  ‘I’ll see if she can change her plans to the end of May. It would suit me better too.’

  ‘Oh, goodness, no. I wouldn’t want to disrupt your personal life.’ Lizzie straightened her back, feeling this was too much to ask on just a possibility.

  ‘I’m sure she’ll have time to sort something out. She’s a midwife, she’s akin to changing her plans at the last minute.’

  Lizzie could imagine the havoc of her life. ‘That is very kind of you but please, please don’t forsake your plans.’

  As his lips curled, Lizzie warmed. ‘At least let me try.’

  Lizzie stood. ‘Thank you. I appreciate…’ Her eyes switched to the door. ‘Cal, hi,’ she said, walking towards him. ‘Come in and meet Angus.’

  Cal’s lips tightened as his eyes moved from hers to the stranger who turned and lifted himself from the chair.

  ‘Angus, this is Cal, my boyfriend. Cal, Angus, our stand-in for Sophie.’

  Cal took a few steps forward. ‘Ah yes, Lizzie told me all about you.’ Cal shook his hand. ‘Sorry, I don’t want to stop you.’

  ‘He was just going,’ Lizzie smiled as Angus began to head for the door.

  ‘Well, in that case, I wondered if Jack could have a quick tour, then I’m going to take him to see his gran. He’s going to stay with her tonight.’

  ‘Yes, of course he can. Angus, again, thank you, I appreciate you asking your mother. See you later,’ Lizzie said, taking Cal by the arm. ‘Let’s go. Where is Jack?’

  After greeting a long face when Lizzie got to reception, Jack’s spirits changed fast as he lapped up the attention he was receiving from the staff at the salon. One by one they complimented him, one suggesting he looked like a rock star, another, a film star, and Lucie told him he was even more handsome than his father, which seemed to please him. He was a natural with the girls acting coy like he needed mothering. Angus also made an impression. Finishing off a client’s fillers, and removing his
mask, he explained his field of expertise to Jack and showed him examples from the catalogue of facial surgery and anti-ageing treatments. Jack, Lizzie was thrilled to hear, was asking lots of questions.

  Cal remained quiet, enjoying his son’s enthusiasm whilst Lizzie glanced at him several times, catching him deep in thought as they mooched around what they called the clinic of Beauté Dedans. It still surprised her how all this came together so wonderfully. Now and again, at moments like this, she had to pinch herself that it was all so real. And to have Sophie here.

  It was almost five-thirty when Sophie came down to reception where Lizzie waited after Cal and Jack had gone. Her dear friend smiled away her tiredness as she greeted her.

  ‘Loving the new hair,’ she told Sophie as she bounced a blonde curl through her fingers. ‘The highlights look lovely.’

  ‘Thanks. Aimée suggested this. It needed a tidy and I can just throw my curling tongs in my case. I thought it would lend itself to an elegant, evening up jobby too.’

  ‘Good thinking. Well, are you all ready and packed?’

  ‘Mmm, sort of,’ Sophie screwed up her nose. ‘I only hope Charles has got his act together. You know what he is like!’

  Lizzie lifted her eyebrows and they sprung into laughter.

  ‘Oh, before you go…’ She caught her breath with some hesitation in case Sophie thought she was being a little pushy, and quickly explained her conversation with Angus.

  Sophie threw her arms around Lizzie. ‘Don’t you just think of everything? I’m so happy you have taken to him. I would have felt so guilty leaving you. I love that he’ll be busy, and you can rest assured, the clients are in capable hands.’

  Feeling overwhelmed, Lizzie’s hand rested on her sternum. ‘Well, Josephine was the one keeping an eye on the bookings. So at least we’re prepared and, gosh, imagine, we could have even more people flocking in from around the world seeking the prestigious Sophie Pitou and her award-winning work.’

  ‘That would be really nice. Apparently, they are doing press shots and TV as well as magazine interviews which, if I’m honest, I’m dreading. I hate cameras but I hope it will increase business.’

  ‘Well, my superstar, I have every faith in you as you know. I just had to wish you a safe journey and all the best for the award ceremony and all it entails. Let me know if there’s anything I can do.’

  ‘Yes, I will. I don’t think you have too much to worry about with Angus. His work is a dream. Oh and give Thierry a big kiss from me won’t you?’ she said kissing Lizzie goodbye.

  When Lizzie arrived home, Marie-Claire and Thierry were asleep on the sofa but there was yet no sign of Cal.

  Leaning on his mother’s kitchen cabinet with his arms folded, Cal passed his mother a disapproving glance. As soon as they’d walked in Jack had begun to tell his grandmother about his plans to stay with his friend in London. Cal couldn’t understand why Rose thought it a good idea, and he could do without her encouraging him. Now Jack was giving her every detail and getting more excited at the prospect.

  ‘I see,’ Rose was nodding but picked up on Cal’s concerned expression. ‘It sounds all so good but, London is huge. Maybe when you’re older. You’ll be surprised at how homesick you can get. Cal, tell him about your struggle when you first entered the Royal Navy?’ she asked turning back to Jack who was spinning a coin on the table.

  Cal rolled his eyes, sensing this wasn’t the solution. The tension was jarring his neck. He relayed to Jack the months he had felt so alone, omitting his heartache with Kelly but stressing the time it can take to settle without family around him. He knew his son wouldn’t be convinced though. He was obviously unhappy in Nantucket so, if he wasn’t going to remain there, he had to find something to hook him to France. He didn’t want to go to London with him but neither did he want him in the city alone either. Sixteen was too young.

  ‘Anyway. We will discuss it but not until the exams are over. We’ll come back here for the summer and work out some sort of plan for the future. There’s so much resting on his SATs and courses available so there really isn’t much we can do yet anyway.’

  ‘We can go to London in the summer though, Dad, can’t we?’

  ‘Jack,’ Cal snapped then held out his hands to remind himself to calm down. ‘Please. I think we’re both still tired and, it is not yet up for discussion.’ He was tiring of his own voice repeating those words. Maybe Lizzie was right. Jack was resenting anything other than his own interest. He was focused solely on London. Either that or it was to become a battle of wills. He definitely didn’t want to leave Lizzie or the new vineyard and as much as he thought London could offer many opportunities for Jack and his studies, it would mean he would have to go with him, and that meant his own life would have to take a back seat, just as it was now so perfectly coming together.

  Rose filled a glass with ice and took a can of cola from the fridge and poured it before carrying it over to Jack. Cal’s eyes followed her and then beyond, to the doors to the terrace. The sun was now dipping into the Mediterranean horizon. Memories of his evening here with Lizzie basked in his mind. The day she finally fell into his arms for keeps. It would be a day he could never forget. He shifted his focus back to Jack. Rose was asking him what he’d been doing and Jack told her very matter of factly about visiting the castle and the vineyard, highlighting only the great views.

  ‘You must take me to see it, Jack,’ his gran said.

  Jack shrugged. ‘I…’

  ‘We can go along tomorrow,’ Cal nodded. ‘I’ll pick you both up about ten.’

  Then to Cal’s surprise, Jack’s voice notched up an octave as he started to tell her about the salon. Missing out all the compliments he’d received from the girls, Jack said, ‘The guy who was doing cosmetic surgery was awesome. He drew me some sketches of how they lift back the skin on facial tucks. It was fascinating. So cool. Imagine being able to do that!’

  Rose placed her hands to her slightly sagging jaw, pushing it up. ‘Yes, wouldn’t I love some of that?’

  ‘It’s amazing, Gran.’ Jack began demonstrating with his fingers, lifting his eyes and then his chin, pushing his skin back to his ears. ‘This, and like this. And,’ he clutched his chest with sincere excitement. ‘He showed me the before and after of a woman’s face in his catalogue, Jesus, he’d created a work of art. That must be so satisfying.’

  ‘Oh, sounds like you may have a contender for architecture here, Jack,’ his gran laughed. ‘Could you see yourself faced with cutting someone open?’

  Cal’s eyes widened as Jack became increasingly animated.

  ‘I couldn’t do it to you, but, yes. I could. I think it would be a fun but challenging job. Arty like but with a bit of blood and gore. It’s not something that even entered my head before. I mean, I enjoy biology and I should get some excellent grades but, I’ll have to find out what I would need.’

  Cal was tempted to join in but his mother was doing fine.

  Rose embraced his sudden new discovery. ‘Why don’t you speak to this man, or Sophie? They can tell you what subjects to focus on.’

  ‘I don’t know. I’ve planned to go to London now,’ Jack said scrutinising Cal’s face and then raising a hand. ‘Sorry. I won’t speak about it.’

  Cal straightened his jacket. ‘OK. I’ll be off. Have a nice evening and I’ll see you at ten.’

  Chapter 18

  Lizzie had sat down with her laptop after making Thierry his tea when she heard Cal’s key in the door.

  ‘Jack.’ Thierry slid down from the table and ran to the door.

  ‘Sorry, just me,’ Cal said sweeping Thierry into his arms and squeezing him.

  ‘Cal, Mummy its Cal.’

  Lizzie placed the laptop on the coffee table and rushed over. ‘Good to see you,’ she said slipping her arm around them both and pecking Cal on the lips. Immediately the touch and scent from his body sent her bubbling inside. ‘I thought as Jack was at your Mum’s, we’d eat out. Just you and me. Marie-Claire is here.�
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  ‘Great with me,’ Cal said pulling her close as he lifted Thierry with one arm.

  ‘And I want to apologise for interfering.’ She gave him her sweetest pout.

  ‘You don’t have to.’ Cal brushed his lips to hers again and smiled. ‘So, lil’ man, tell me what you’ve been up to.’ He squeezed her before she went back to her chair.

  Lizzie chuckled as she listened to Thierry give his account of his superheroes saving one another. Then as she flicked through emails and forums, a “Hello” on a forum pounced to her eyes. With heart racing, she clicked onto it.

  Hello Lizzie,

  I’m not sure if I am going to be much help. My dad is now eighty-three but he has never forgotten an incident when he was a lad which might be worth following up. He was seven or eight. His memory is a bit sparse now but since I bought him his laptop, he loves going through the forums and speaking to people from the East End. He was living in Rhonda Grove in Mile End at the time and says he remembers a couple in the flat below him who had two boys who he used to play with. These boys, he says, then got a sister. He remembers them coming home with a pram and the boys said their mum found her screaming at a bomb site at the church you mentioned. Apparently, the baby didn’t have a mother so they took her to look after her and, he believes, adopted her. My dad doesn’t know how old she was. He knows she wasn’t walking. She sat on the rug, so presumably she was about six months to a year. We don’t know. Anyway, if it is any help, Dad says the family name was Fordlock. The boys were Johnny and Jimmy. Johnny was about the same age as my dad and Jimmy about two years younger. Their Dad was called Johnny and their Mum, Elsie and, my Dad said, they moved to Kent soon after that. My dad thinks it might be Sidcup. Dad has a hunch it could be the baby girl but he doesn’t want to get your hopes up. Oh and he said, he thinks her name might be Angela.

  If you do find out, Dad and I would love to know how you get on and if you ever find her.

  Best wishes

  Sue Loring and my Dad, Ronnie Speight.