by Karen Aldous
Sophie gave him a knowing, albeit sultry glance, behind her champagne flute. ‘I thought you would have heard enough about mine and Lizzie’s plans last time we met.’
‘Well I heard about the new salon in the Rue Antibes and you had just been to look around. Obviously, I had a look at the draft lease you left with me.’
‘Oh yes, what did you think of the points I made?’
‘Well I think you could negotiate on the price a bit on the grounds that the basement needs work. That’s probably why it’s not used currently and needs drying out. You could get a report on its condition before negotiating.’
‘I could ask the builders to give us an estimate. Ok, I’ll speak to them and to Lizzie.’
‘Otherwise, there’s just this anomaly this specific landlord seems to have, which I’m sure is just an error. The Landlord cannot refuse to renew generally but if he does he has to pay the tenant an indemnity.’
‘Ok. Well, would you mind checking that too?’
Charles gave her a wink and a smile. ‘Well I shall have to make it conditional again as now we have had more of a business meeting than an evening out. So are you free again on Saturday?’
‘Ooh. I shall need to consult my diary tomorrow before I can confirm,’ Sophie grinned playfully ‘Yes of course I am.’
Charles blushed, re-filling their glasses, which Sophie found endearing.
‘So how come you are working in France?’ she asked.
‘Oh, we…my wife and I moved here over six years ago,’ he said.
Sophie’s heart sank. ‘You’re married?’ she asked.
‘Was. Katie died, was killed two years ago. She was knocked off her bike.’
‘Oh. I’m sorry,’ she replied.
Charles continued to describe her accident and the days after. As she listened, his tone and uneasy pauses were evidence of how much he had loved his wife. Sophie was almost in tears herself.
‘So, we both had a love of France from our childhood holidays, both spoke the language and Katie wanted to teach here so after she’d taught a few years in England, and I’d worked for a year in London, we moved and made a home here. I’ve sold it now. Couldn’t bear to stay at the house, but couldn’t face going back to London either, that’s why I have an apartment now in town, near the marina. Sailing was all I had left.’
‘That’s so tragic, Charles. I don’t know what to say.’
‘You don’t have to say anything. It’s easier for me if you know anyway. I still speak about her and I can’t wipe it out but…I’m afraid I’m still dealing with it, so bear with me.’
‘Of course.’
‘So, tell me about your family,’ he said, sitting back. ‘You’re not here to listen to my woes. Why are you in France?’
Sophie tilted her head and leaned forward on the table, directing him a soft smile. He was just perfect she decided. Handsome, intelligent and sensitive. She began her story.
Chapter 22
Lizzie had been busy whilst Sophie and her manager were overseeing everything for her in Cannes. Looking after her mother the past two weeks had proved to be hard work, not just physically but emotionally. On her mother’s second day home, Cal had taken Thierry down to the vines in the tractor to help him, a delight which Thierry was taking on an almost daily basis, but time alone with her mother gave them a chance to chat and learn more about each other. It was this second day when Caroline told her to sit down.
‘I want to thank you,’ her mother said. ‘And unless you sit down, I can’t talk to you.’
‘I was going to make another cup of tea,’ Lizzie said, sitting on a sofa facing her mother’s chair in the lounge. ‘And you don’t owe me any thanks anyway.’
‘Yes I do. If it wasn’t for your intervention, I wouldn’t be where I am.’
‘What do you mean?’ Lizzie enquired, now pulling her knees up and slouching into the sofa arm.
‘At the hospital. The day after you first came to see me, the nurse…she gave me your message,’ Caroline stated, peering at her daughter over her glasses. ‘Of course I had no idea what it meant, but the nurse explained to me who Macmillan were and brought me a leaflet. I then asked if they were in the hospital and if they could come and see me.’
Lizzie’s eye widened. She couldn’t believe it. ‘Really?’
‘Yes, and this lady, Jean, her name was, came in and she sat down with me. Then we went into a little room and asked me lots of questions about how I was. I naturally told her I was healing well and a bit scared that the cancer would have spread but instead of just getting up and saying fine or whatever, she sat for ages making me talk about me, my feelings, my fears, my emotions. I cried for ages but she didn’t make me feel daft or anything. Then each day she came back and we spoke for at least an hour, sometimes longer, but each time, she covered things like, how angry or bitter I was feeling, and what to do about it and how I was going to manage with my disease and my family and what help I had and we spoke about you and the more she asked, the more I told her and we talked about me as a mother and its effects on you etc. It was quite a revelation Lizzie.’
As her mother’s eyes filled with tears, Lizzie took her hand. ‘Mum.’ She held back waiting for her mother to finish.
‘We even spoke about me as a child, and how that influenced my life and me as a mother. I did tell her about our row a few weeks back and the things you accused me of. But she didn’t try to judge me. She…she said that I had had a lot of difficulties myself and that was normal but it wasn’t too late to make things better. And Lizzie, she made me realise what was important in my life and what would make me happy in the future.’ Caroline held out her hand and summoned her daughter to hug to her, ‘I’m just so grateful you did that.’ She wrapped Lizzie close. ‘That’s why I want to thank you. Can you imagine if you hadn’t?’
Lizzie wiped her eyes not sure whether they were tears of joy or sorrow. The fact that she had helped in such a huge way was beyond her, however unwittingly she had done it. Her mother was happy and so was she.
‘So when I found that photo of Thierry, I was just bursting to know darling,’ cried her mother.
Each day, Lizzie learned more and more about her mother. More than she really needed to know perhaps but it opened both their hearts, which Lizzie found rewarding. She now felt she could be honest with her mother about how she’d felt. What she imagined could take people months of therapy had been condensed into just their few weeks together. Both had grown so much but were still learning.
Although she hadn’t planned to, Lizzie had also afforded herself the luxury of reading the beauty books and magazines her mother dug out from her career days. Some of them were several decades old but a treasure trove of inspiration and ideas none the less and with her mother’s experience of the industry, she just soaked in the knowledge her mother so eagerly imparted.
When her mother was occupied with Thierry, Lizzie took the opportunity to get on with her work, making detailed plans for the salon. Sketches for room designs, inventories for new and, existing equipment, staffing levels and budget planning, she was rather pleased she had made good use of the time. She had also made some special plans for Thierry’s third birthday, now just two days away.
***
Thierry was three! Before his breakfast, he tore excitedly at the largest of his presents, a huge box his Grandma had given him and Cal had organised. Still in his pyjamas, he couldn’t climb on his toy quick enough.
‘Like Cal’s tractor!’ he screamed, pedalling it around the conservatory.
At ten o’clock, Lizzie’s mobile rang and Sophie sang Happy Birthday and wished him a lovely day. Thierry was jumping up and down and at this point, Lizzie decided it was a good time to give him his present from her. Cal brought the big box around from the garden and helped Thierry lift the lid off exposing the contents; a small bike with stabilisers. Ideal too, with the space to play outside here. Thierry was now shaking with all the fuss and was helped on it by Cal whilst Lizzie began t
aking photographs. He looked the happiest boy in the world and Lizzie noticed the tears of joy streaming down Caroline’s cheeks.
She arranged for a small group of his friends from the nursery to come along to the afternoon party as well as Cal and her mother. She and Cal decorated the garden, hanging bunches of balloons, bunting and ‘Happy Birthday’ banners, which billowed in the light breeze. The warm weather was perfect. She placed the cake she’d baked and iced the previous evening on the trestle table, which was dressed and deliberately positioned in the shade. Thierry squealed with surprise when he clapped eyes on the Thomas the Tank Engine cake, his favourite character. It wasn’t the most perfect Birthday cake she had ever seen but, Lizzie was proud it had come out so well considering it was her first attempt at something other than a round Victoria Sandwich base.
As Lizzie continued with party preparations, her mother helped with preparing the table and Cal took Thierry up and down the driveway god knows how many times on his tractor and then on his bike.
Caroline had stepped out to join in to give Cal a break when a car pulled up. When the driver stepped out she recognised him immediately.
‘Michael,’ she said, fleeing to his arms. ‘How lovely. I thought you had another week in New Zealand.’
Michael met her embrace.
Lizzie soon followed to watch her son and was walking over to Thierry and Cal when she observed the stranger with her mother. She’d seen the car before.
Her mother turned. ‘Lizzie, this is Michael, the new love in my life,’ Caroline announced proudly. ‘I must apologise to you both because I haven’t mentioned him to you Lizzie with all that’s been going on. Long story Michael, I shall explain but this is Lizzie my daughter and I have a new grandson!’ Her face beamed. ‘Meet Thierry.’
Lizzie threw a stunned frown at Cal as Michael held out his arm moving towards her. ‘Lovely to meet you Lizzie, and hello Thierry.’ He shook Lizzie’s hand and then ruffled Thierry’s hair in a friendly manner. ‘What a tall, handsome man you are. And, how old are you Thierry?’
The boy had an aura of coyness but not discomfort. His tongue circled as he eyed the stranger up and down. Thierry raised a hand showing two fingers and then pushed another up. ‘I’m three,’ he answered.
‘Wow, That’s nearly a grown up,’ Michael said and laughter sprang through the air. They all looked on as Thierry ran to his tractor.
Michael circled his arm around Caroline’s shoulders. ‘I did pop in a couple of weeks ago but you weren’t here. I came back early to do a shoot, well, quite a long shoot in Ireland so I didn’t have long before I had to fly off again. I rang too but there was no answer.’ Michael then shook Cal’s hand. ‘Good to see you again Cal. Looks like the winery’s nearly there.’
‘Yes, just fitting the inside now,’ Cal replied as they all walked towards the kitchen door.
‘I think I need a drink,’ said Lizzie, still numb from the shock and going to the fridge. ‘Can I get you guys a beer? Would you like a glass of white wine, Mum?’
‘Why not?’ Caroline said, squeezing Michael’s hand. Lizzie could see why her mother found Michael alluring. He was quite charismatic; a tall, slim, greying, man with deep blue eyes that sparkled. He obviously kept himself fit and was wearing stylish simple classics with ease.
‘A beer’s good for me,’ Cal said as he came in the kitchen behind them. Lizzie gave Thierry some juice, and then handed out the drinks as she made them.
With her mother mooching off with Michael and Thierry into the conservatory, Lizzie turned to Cal. ‘I’m confused,’ she said, bluntly. ‘I thought you and Mum were…erm, in a relationship.’
‘Really!! No. Not at all,’ he tittered. ‘But it’s funny. Why would you think that? I don’t think Michael would be happy to hear that.’
Lizzie shot him a quizzical glance complete with a sheepish grimace. ‘Oh. I thought.’ Lizzie went quite red. ‘I just thought that you were.’
‘Well, maybe an easy mistake to make,’ Cal jested, ‘an attractive woman, with no man around! I guess there’s no reason not to jump to that conclusion.’
‘I think it was something she said, that day I came home and we were arguing. She said…Oh it doesn’t matter.’
‘We’ll think about this shall we?’ He said edging close to her. ’I told you the other day that I liked you. I wouldn’t have said that if I was in a relationship with Caroline would I?’ He raised one side of his brow.
Lizzie blushed, giving herself away, and breathed in his distinct, powerful odour, her body liquefying like melting ice cream. He caught hold of her and pulled her close.
‘Or any woman I hope!’ she said. Setting her eyes on his beckoning lips – oh God she could… She took a deep breath and went to slide past him.
He caught hold of her and pulled her close, with mischief in his eyes. ‘Interesting. So how does that change things?’ he asked, his eyes and lips just inches from hers, turning her whole body to liquid honey, her pupils enlarging as his burrowed into them. Cal leaned in to her and covered her lips with his, whirling her away to another world.
‘Mummy, mummy, James, it’s James,’ her son shrieked, running in to the kitchen. ‘James from nursery.’
‘Anyway, I’d better get this party underway.’ Flustered, Lizzie tore herself from Cal, just able to stabilise her legs. She took Thierry’s waiting hand as he dragged her out to the front door.
Chapter 23
Lizzie was in a spin and not just from managing six children for two hours. Cal helped her with games whilst Michael helped organise drinks with Caroline for the children’s parents. Each time Lizzie sneaked a glance over at Cal, he seemed to catch her and she blushed or felt her body tingle. She was going dizzy trying to concentrate and every move she made felt as though her limbs had been swapped. Trying to light Thierry’s birthday cake was a disaster as her hand shook uncontrollably, firstly she flung a lit match straight onto it and then dug her knuckles into the smooth icing attempting to retrieve it. Cal, witnessing her shaky hands, took over and successfully lit the three candles and carried the cake to Thierry, shielding them from any breeze. As the ‘Happy Birthday’ song finished, Thierry took a huge intake of breath and blew hard, spraying the cake as he did so.
‘Well done darling,’ cheered his gran. ‘Make a wish.’
‘I’m not sure he knows what a wish is yet Mum.’
‘Well you make a wish for him then,’ her mother replied. And Lizzie turned a bright pink as she peered up from Thierry and locked eyes with Cal.
Once Lizzie and Thierry had said goodbye to his friends, she joined the others to tidy up the garden and the kitchen. She then made them all some tea whilst Thierry played with his new Play-Doh set at the kitchen table.
‘Well what a lovely party,’ said her mother. ‘You must feel exhausted darling. And you Cal, you’ve not stopped either. Why don’t you two have a break? Treat yourselves to a nice meal down the Cricketers or Bartellas.’
‘I’m fine, just need to sit down for five minutes,’ Lizzie said.
‘Actually that sounds like a perfect idea,’ Cal said. ‘We can take Thierry and give your mum a bit of peace.’ He raised his eyebrows at Lizzie.
‘Thierry’s fine here,’ her mother said, brushing the back of his neck. ‘He can play for a while and I’ll put him to bed. He’s no trouble. Michael’s here. He can help me if I need it.’
‘Mum, you’ve done enough. You should be resting.’
‘Look, you’ve nursed me for over two weeks now. You have a break. Go. Go and get ready and have a relaxing evening.’
Lizzie finally got the message. Her mother wanted some time with Michael. Why didn’t she realise sooner.
‘Ok but Cal, haven’t you got something arranged for tonight already?’
‘No. I’m all yours,’ he said and Lizzie blushed crimson.
‘Well ok. I’ll finish my tea and go and get bathed.’
‘Come and have a look at the winery Michael?’ Cal said.
&
nbsp; ‘Love to.’ Michael collected his mug of tea and followed Cal out. ‘It won’t take me long to nip home and get ready. I’ll come a get you at seven Lizzie,’ Cal called over his shoulder.
‘Oh, yes. Fine,’ she called as they went out.’ Are you sure Mum?’
‘Yes of course sweetheart. Give me a chance to catch up with Michael too.’
‘He seems really nice.’
‘Yes, he is. Sorry I was going to tell you about him this week as I thought it was next week he was coming back.’
‘So Michael is someone you’ve been seeing for a while?’
‘Yes, it was last year, I was at the station waiting for the London train and Michael was there with a camera, he’s a photographer and he was taking pictures of the railway arch; the bridge which goes across the road. He was producing a book on the village landmarks in pictures. Yes just a small project for a man of his stature, but one of his own. He works on high-profile clients and shoots in London, New Zealand, Australia, the US. Well, anywhere it takes him. Anyway, he’s looking to wind down and moved back to the area. His children are in New Zealand, his wife is out there but they are divorced.
‘Must be quite well known?’
‘Well that’s how we got chatting. I thought I recognised him from, well about twenty years ago, we had worked together on some shoots for Cashmere Cosmetics or one of those when I was at the magazine full time. He’s a talented man.’ Caroline sat down and carefully took a sip of her hot coffee.
‘What a small world. He wasn’t in the village then?’
‘No. He grew up here and lived in Kensington in London, then travelled, met his ex-wife in New Zealand, spent quite a bit of time there with his family but continued to travel. He is a lovely man.’
‘I’m pleased for you Mum. He’ll do you the world of good.’
‘Well he doesn’t know about any of this,’ she whispered.
‘What. You haven’t told him?’ Lizzie blinked in surprise.