The Riviera

‘Cool, I’m starving.’ Jack’s voice croaked with a little more gusto as he opened a bag of crisps and scooped a handful into his mouth. He then took a can and pulled the ring.

‘Yes, your mom thought you might be. She was really worried. She cares a lot. She says she loves you and wants to hug you.’

Jack shrugged his shoulders. ‘Huh, doesn’t sound like her.’

Keeping a watchful eye on Jack, Cal took a can of cold Cola from the bag too. He pulled the ring and sipped quietly.

‘So, tell me why you don’t want to stay here.’

Jack dropped an empty bag into his lap and pulled the ring on another can of Cola.

‘I just can’t. And don’t ask me why. I don’t want to talk about it.’

‘How can I help you if I don’t know what it is you need help with?’

Finishing his second drink, Jack put down the can and gripped his hands together as he turned, slunk down and rested on both elbows.

‘You wouldn’t understand, Dad.’

Feeling the urge to straighten his back, Cal remained still and silent, just biting at his lip as Jack’s thick-lashed eyes shifted from the can to his. He swallowed hard as his chest tightened. He couldn’t recall a time when Jack had been this quiet. Usually he was bursting with energy and news with so much to tell him. Just weeks ago at the New Year party, and his birthday the day after, Jack was eager to relay his progress at school, his plans with his friends to set up a band; to be lead guitar and write his own songs. Now he appeared drained, gaunt even. Jack had clearly lost his mojo, his lust for life. Cal’s heart wept before jarring. Finally he stretched out his legs and leant on his arm facing his son.

‘Jack, let me in, tell me how I can help?’

Jack thought for a moment then raised his lashes. ‘Can I come back to England with you?’

Cal tipped his head, confused. ‘I’m not living in England any more. I’m in the south of France.’

‘Oh.’ Jack frowned. ‘You said you had found the land but I didn’t realise you moved already.’

‘Well, I moved in with Lizzie when we got back from here in January. I thought I’d told you. Well, perhaps we spoke generally at New Year, so maybe you were playing with Harry at the time. Anyway…’

‘My friend Robbie is going to live there and go to college there. He said I could stay with him.’

Cal felt a chill gush through him. ‘You’re just sixteen. That’s too young to be in London alone,’ he told him, aware his son still had a lot of growing pains to go through before he had any chance of independence.

‘I’ll be with Robbie. He’s two years older than me so I won’t be alone.’

‘Jack, I need to understand what it is you’re running away from before we can even begin to think about what you are going to do after your SATS. I’m here and happy to help whatever it is. And, I’m not here to judge. Whatever it is, it’s OK. Do you understand?’

Grinding his teeth, Jack peered up, examining his father’s face.

‘I promise I’m not a monster. I’m listening. I want to help. The sooner you get whatever it is off your chest, the sooner you can move on with your life. That will be your escape, no running off to London. We will work through your problem, nobody else’s. Yours. I’m your dad and it matters to me. Jack, I love you, and I care. Understood?’

Cal raised his arm and a flat palm for a high-five. Jack slapped it, breaking a nervous smile.

‘Good, I’m glad that’s understood. So is it just your problem or is there someone else involved?’

As frustrating as it was, Cal oozed out patience. He shifted his aching arm, lifting his body up to lean on the other arm. He didn’t want to suggest going into the house for fear of Jack blocking him out again. Jack wriggled about too though suggesting he was becoming more comfortable.

Jack cleared his throat. ‘Can I just ask you, would you come to London and live there if I lived there?’

‘Not up for discussion. You are running away from something here.’

Jack peered down biting his lip. ‘No, it’s what I really want. I’ve thought about it and it’s definitely where I think my future is.’

‘So finish your SATS here and then we’ll talk about London.’

‘Dad. I really want to go now. I can finish them in London. I can go to an international school.’

Cal reached out and lifted his son’s chin. He searched his eyes for a moment. ‘Jack, explain to me why now is so important? What has happened?’

Chapter 5

‘Hi, Annatia,’ Lizzie said, ‘sorry I didn’t get back to you earlier. I was hoping to speak to Cal. He’s had to rush over to his son in the States so, I’m still not sure if he’ll be back for Friday to show you around the house. I may have to cancel.’

‘Oh, I hope it’s nothing serious,’ Annatia, their friend and interior design expert, asked with genuine concern in her voice.

‘Hopefully not. A teenage episode. I’m waiting to hear.’

‘Ouch, tough age. Send him our regards. Well, if you want to go alone, I’m still available. Have you got keys?’

Lizzie agonised for a few seconds. She would love to see it. Cal had shown her a few photographs and, although it appeared somewhat dilapidated, she couldn’t wait to see it and what could be done there. He’d even offered to drive her up but she insisted she would wait until all the legal work was completed and he officially got the keys. In truth, she wanted to share the moment with Cal. It was his after all.

‘I think the best thing is for me to speak with him. I don’t think he’ll be back before Friday and, in all honesty, Annatia, I wouldn’t want any decisions made without him there. He talks about the vines and his plans as I’m sure Jes knows but, he doesn’t know much about the building. I’ll try him again. I don’t want you wasting your time.’

‘That’s fine, honey. Let me know when you can. I’m sure he’ll get in touch with Jes anyway. I think he has some rootstock on order.’

‘Thank you, Annatia.’

Lizzie was now close to her apartment and as she put her phone in her bag, searched for her keys.

Thierry ran to her as soon as she stepped inside the door. ‘Hello, Mummy.’ He grabbed at her trousers. ‘I did swim today, Mummy.’

Lizzie immediately bent down and squeezed him in her arms and kissed him.

‘Hello, darling. Wow, well done. You are a clever boy.’

‘I swimmed like this.’ Thierry threw himself to the floor and began to wave his arms and legs. ‘And I not have my armbands on, Mummy.’

Marie-Claire popped her head out from the kitchen area wearing a large grin. ‘Bonsoir, Lizzie.’

Lizzie’s face burst into laughter as she straightened up to watch her son demonstrate. She glanced up briefly. ‘Bonsoir, Marie-Claire. How amazing. He’s really swimming?’

‘Yes, just two strokes but he swam on his own. No armbands.’

‘Thierry, I’m so proud of you. Good boy.’ Lizzie knelt down again and stroked his hair as he continued stretching out his arms.

‘Will you come swimming, Mummy?’

‘I’m sure I can manage an hour, darling.’ She glanced back at Marie-Claire. ‘When will you go again?’

‘We can go late morning tomorrow. Eleven-thirty or twelve, before his playschool at two.’

‘Yes, sounds perfect. I can’t wait. You can show Mummy tomorrow.’

‘Then can we go to the park?’ Thierry asked getting up and sliding up to his mother.

‘Well, you’ll want some lunch before playschool so we won’t have time.’

‘Thierry, your dinner is ready,’ Marie-Claire announced.

‘Come on, clever boy, let’s go wash your hands,’ Lizzie said clasping his hand and leading him to the cloakroom.

After dinner and puzzles, Lizzie followed her usual bedtime routine and read to Thierry after his bath. She insisted she would bath him as Marie-Claire was going out with her new boyfriend, Patric. It was the first time Lizzie had known her to have a proper boyfriend and after the trauma with Anton last year, she was thankful Thierry’s nanny was seemingly unaffected and now happy. Patric was twenty and just a year older than Marie-Claire. His family lived locally too, just a few miles along the coast in Antibes where they also had an automobile business. Lizzie had only met him briefly twice, but he seemed a really nice lad and they were well suited; they both loved sport and music. It was just after eleven-thirty when Marie-Claire returned and had just made a coffee in the kitchen. Lizzie was on the sofa reading.

‘Lizzie, your phone is ringing.’ Marie-Claire picked up Lizzie’s phone from the worktop where it was charging.

‘Oh quick. Can you answer it? It might be Cal.’ Lizzie swung her legs off the sofa and leaped towards the kitchen.

‘Yes, it is Cal.’

Swopping roles, she took the phone whilst Marie-Claire took over the sofa.

Her heart warmed just hearing his voice echo down the phone. Marie-Claire whispered ‘Goodnight’ and pattered off to her room.

‘Lizzie. Hi. So sorry. I’ve been with, sorry, I’m with Jack. Just popped to the men’s room. How are you?’

‘Fine. Missing you of course and hope all is well with Jack?’

‘It’s slow, but making progress. I think!’

‘Well, I won’t keep you, I wanted to mention something. Two things as I don’t suppose you’ll be back for Friday to look around the house. And, I’d really prefer you were with us, so I’ll ask Jean-Luc and Annatia if they wouldn’t mind holding off until you get back. Is that OK?’

‘Yes. Absolutely, whatever you prefer. This may take a few more days,’ he said.

After the initial sinking, Lizzie warmed as she imagined the smile in his voice. ‘And, I’m not interfering. It’s just that your mother was in the salon earlier, and obviously I told her you’d flown out to Jack because he was upset. She mentioned Jack saying something to her about a girl being nasty to him. I thought it may be relevant. That’s all. She didn’t know any more.’

‘Oh shhh-it. I should have rung her. Did she get panicky?’

‘Concerned. I didn’t dramatise if that’s what you’re wondering.’

‘Mmm, OK. Thanks. It may be significant. I’d better get back. I’ll call you tomorrow.’ He paused. ‘I love you, Lizzie and, give Thierry a big hug from me.’

Lizzie would have preferred to sit and talk longer but Cal sounded occupied. Jack, it seemed, was still volatile. If only she could be there to help.

‘Cal, will it help if I came over? Business is manageable. Just a few days,’ she blurted. It wasn’t really the right time but she didn’t know how long she’d have to wait to speak to him again.

‘Give me the weekend and…actually, no. Having Thierry around might be just the tonic for Jack. I’ll sort somewhere for us to stay. I don’t really want to stay here. Maybe Jack could come and stay with us. Yes, why not? There’s no rush. Maybe early next week.’

‘I’ll sort out some travel for Tuesday or Wednesday and let you know. I’ll text you details. I’ll take Thierry back on the ferry this time. It will be more of an adventure for him.’

‘Great. All being well, I’ll come over to Boston and meet you.’

After saying their goodbyes, Lizzie’s heart wrenched as she picked up her coffee. He’d been gone just twenty-four hours but she really needed to hold him and snuggle into his chest. But then elation muscled in. It seemed a long way off, but she would be with him in less than a week and suddenly she wanted to dance. To see him and touch him, just to be there for him and support him was making her heart sing. Glancing momentarily at Thierry’s toys, she only hoped Jack would be in a better place emotionally.

She understood so well the traumas of being a teenager. God, she’d had her share. Having to suddenly face grown up problems she didn’t really understand or know how to deal with. Believing she was adult enough to make choices and decisions which she just wasn’t emotionally equipped to deal with. It was a very lonely place.

Sipping her drink which was now luke-warm, she recalled the torment and humiliation she’d suffered when her first love, Hugo, two-timed her during their relationship in her first year at university. It was excruciatingly painful. She’d imagined every student was sniggering and talking about her behind her back. She’d dreaded facing people for fear of ridicule. She couldn’t even trust her friends. She swore they must have hidden the truth from her or worse, lied to cover up. It was so embarrassing. How could she ever have trusted them again? And she couldn’t ever imagine trusting a man again, not after Hugo. She’d just wanted to curl up and die.

Instead, she’d hit on an alternative. Her defence mechanism was to flee. Just seven months into uni, she had taken flight to free herself from people she could no longer trust. Fortunately for Cal, Jack hadn’t run. He’d cried for help and Cal had acted immediately. He’d listened. That’s what a parent should do. Unlike her mother who was always quick to judge. Or so she imagined at the time. Nonetheless, she’d run, not just from Hugo, her friends and uni, but from her family. Her mother and grandfather. She didn’t even have the sense to tell someone; well, she’d posted a note to her mother from England before landing in France. She’d believed her mother would have been angry and shamed. Angry because she’d always said Hugo was no good and shamed because her daughter had failed her. Her promise of being a vet fell at the first hurdle. And then there was Anton. She downed the last mouthful from her mug.

She’d been so glitzed with Anton’s glamour when she’d arrived in Cannes. Thought herself so madly in love. Such a charmer and then, whoosh, she’d discovered yet another cheat. The worst playboy in Cannes in fact. And, unfortunately, a drugged-up control freak who could never have been a father to Thierry. Well thankfully, that was all in the past. Now, as a mother, it was impossible to conceive the notion that her child would disappear and not get in touch for five years. How did she never realise her own mother’s heartache? Thanks to Cal, in the last twelve months she’d grown up faster than ever, just by taking time to get to know her mother and find an amazing man she could trust.

‘Fuck,’ she burst out, crashing back to the moment. Cal at Kelly’s!

By ten o’clock the following morning at the office, Lizzie had looked up the flights. Most flew via London, so she rang her mother so she could make a visit on her return then booked her and Thierry’s flights to Boston. She was just reading through a few CVs Josephine had forwarded for the new male grooming section when a whoosh of energy flew into her room.

‘Good morning, Lizzie. I’ve some great news.’ A contagious smile spread across Sophie’s face. ‘I am going to Los Angeles on the eighth of April to meet Professor Eckhart and demonstrate my new procedure. They’ll also get the substance rigorously tested as fast as they can. Would you like to come with me?’

‘Oh wow, exciting!

‘It’s brilliant isn’t it? If it all tests OK, we’re going to patent it in as much of the world as we can.’

Lizzie jumped up and threw her arms around her friend. ‘You are amazing. I’m sure it will test fine. Ha! I know you too well – you’ll not have gone this far without checking everything a million times.’

‘Well, not quite that many but, yes, you know me well – due diligence is my middle name.’ Sophie pulled a face and then resumed her huge smile.

Lizzie felt rather gutted. She’d have loved to be there with Sophie and supporting her. This really wasn’t very good timing, just as she was about to tell her her own plans.

‘I’d love to come with you but I’ve just booked a trip to join Cal in Nantucket. I’m flying out to Boston on Tuesday for a week.’

Sophie’s smile dropped. ‘Oh, I was hoping…not to worry.’

A deflated breath escaped Lizzie before she had an idea. ‘Why don’t you ask Charles? You’ve both been working hard. You could make it a holiday.’

Sophie pursed her lips. ‘Hmm! If only I could prise him away from his desk! What are the chances of that?’

‘Oh, I’m sure you could sell it better. There’s bound to be sailing in Los Angeles.’

‘Ha! Brilliant. Good point.’ Sophie slipped her hands to her waist creating a pondering stance. ‘Mmm, yes. I’ll have a look. Oh, and Angus is going to come along on Saturday morning if that’s OK with you. I’m sure you’ll love him but be sure to tell me if you’re not convinced. He’s certainly a talented cosmetic and plastic surgeon.’

‘I look forward to meeting him. I hope you can convince Charles too. It would alleviate my guilt.’

‘Why guilt? Don’t be. It would have been nice.’

Lizzie checked the time on her phone. She would have to leave soon to meet Thierry and Marie-Claire.

‘It would, but we’ll research the sailing when I get back. I’m just going to meet Marie-Claire and watch Thierry swim. I’ll be back in an hour or so.’

‘Aww, really? He loves the water doesn’t he? What a shame I have a treatment, I’d have come with you.’

Lizzie rushed along to Avenue de Benefiat to the pool where Marie-Claire and Thierry waited.

After changing, Thierry couldn’t wait to show off his new skill and he jumped up and down as he waited for the girls to get changed and deposit their clothes in the locker. Once they reached the water, Lizzie was surprised when Thierry just jumped in without warning. At once she followed in panic but Thierry’s small body popped back up and he immediately began splashing his arms and legs and swimming halfway across the pool.

‘Wow,’ Marie-Claire screamed with delight. ‘He really wants to show you.’

Lizzie caught his tired wet torso as he puffed and spluttered water from his mouth and nose. She knelt down, standing him against her thighs.

‘Well done, Thierry. I’ve got you but…’ She turned to his nanny now behind her. ‘Jesus, I can hardly breathe. He just went and I could hardly keep up with him. You’ll have to keep a really close eye on him. Phew. I wasn’t expecting that.’ She pinched his nose and wiped the mucus with her hand.

‘Yes, he is fearless. And, of course, I watch him close. With my life.’

Thierry began jumping up and down, ready to go again. Lizzie allowed him to jump and splash as she swirled him around. He laughed and giggled.

‘I want to swim again, Mummy.’

As Lizzie nodded, out of the corner of her eye she spotted a familiar figure being led by an older woman. It was Anton, Thierry’s father. The woman was instructing him to move his legs to walk in the water. Lizzie swallowed hard. It was difficult to believe he was still going through some basic rehabilitation. Her concern now however was to get out of the water and out of his sight. The last thing she wanted was for Marie-Claire to see him. And Thierry. She didn’t know if his father’s face and the attempt to abduct him still haunted his mind. She was sure it would still spook Marie-Claire. She knew she’d created a lot of damage soon after she’d struck him over the head with the champagne bottle six months ago. Seeing him now could bring another trauma on.

‘Marie-Claire, I’m so sorry. I feel extremely dizzy. Could we please go back to the changing room? Take Thierry please and turn and I’ll hold your shoulder in case I slip.’

‘Lizzie, oh yes, yes, of course.’ She took the boy in her arms and gripped his arms around her shoulder.

‘More swimming. I want to do more swimming, Mummy,’ Thierry protested, attracting more attention than Lizzie would have hoped.

‘Just ignore him, Marie-Claire. We’ll calm him down once we’re out,’ Lizzie told her as they climbed the pool steps and passed a parked wheelchair. She just prayed Anton wouldn’t spot them. ‘I’m right behind you and I’m OK. I’ll hold your shoulder. Keep walking.’

Marie-Claire did as she was told and did her best to control the wriggling, wailing Thierry as she led Lizzie through to the changing room.

Lizzie continued her faking performance for as long as necessary as they changed and made their way out of the building, which seemed cruel to Marie-Claire trying to console the teary Thierry and, once clear of the building, sped up her pace as they walked back to her apartment.

‘Oh, so sorry. I feel a little better now though. I’m really sorry, Thierry darling. We’ll go again another day. Mummy felt very sick and you wouldn’t like Mummy to be sick in the pool would you?’

When Lizzie got back to the office, she dashed to the cloakroom to tidy her hair and face. The mirror confirmed her inner state. She took out her make-up bag and rubbed in some moisturiser before adding her usual light foundation and blusher to her cheeks. After brushing her hair, she waltzed with some relief to Sophie’s consulting room. As she stepped into the doorway, she stopped as a tall male figure stood by her friend’s desk.

‘Oh, I’ll come back later, Soph.’

Sophie jumped up and called out, ‘No. Lizzie, come back. Your timing is good actually. Come in and meet Angus.’

Lizzie gripped the doorframe for a few seconds. ‘Angus. Oh, you’re Sophie’s colleague, er, associate?’ She peered directly at the tall figure holding out a hand and glaring at her with bright, cornflower-blue eyes and golden hair. ‘Very nice to meet you.’ She shook his hand.

‘Yes, well, we both lecture at the same college part-time. I was also practising in Belgium before I decided I needed a change so until I sort out where I want to put down roots, I’m at your disposal, ladies.’

Lizzie was immediately captivated by his Scottish accent. ‘Well, I’ve heard good things about you from Sophie whom I trust with my life.’

He threw out a warm smile which dimpled the sides of his mouth and a few laughter lines creased his eyes. Lizzie guessed he was close to his mid-thirties, a similar age to Cal and, she considered, good looking as well as, on first impression, charming.

‘Why don’t we sit down? My next client is not for twenty minutes,’ Sophie said pulling over another chair for them both and sitting back at her desk.

Angus pinched up his trousers at his knees before he sat. ‘I’m only too pleased to help out. The money, of course, always comes in handy. Actually, I was shopping and couldn’t resist popping in. It caught my eye, and Sophie just gave me a quick tour. It’s quite a set up you have here. Very impressive in fact. Sophie says you set up a few years ago in the beauty industry?’

Lizzie relayed some history of her buying the business about four years ago when Thierry was born and how luck and support from her best friend had secured her future.

‘That’s admirable. Shrewd too.’

‘More of a necessity really,’ she told him, trying to hide her blush. ‘Tell me more about what you’ve done?’ she asked, crossing her legs.

Both she and Sophie listened as he clarified his original Edinburgh accent and revealed his study background from Glasgow University to Europe, to America, Canada, Australia and back to Europe. Sophie had heard it all before, it seemed, but Lizzie was impressed that he’d done so much work reconstructing breast cancer patients as well as working in many cosmetic clinics with various procedures and support staff.

‘Well, we’re strictly day cases but you will have assistants,’ Lizzie said, comfortable that he sounded more than capable. ‘So feel free to come back Saturday with any further questions or to get more familiar with the place and the staff.’

Sophie smiled. ‘Good idea. The staff and consultants here are fantastic. And you’ll love Josephine, the Manager who you met. Oh but now I’m repeating myself.’

Angus chuckled. ‘That’s great, I love the enthusiasm.’

‘You’ll love Betty the cleaner too. She’s such a sweetie. And we may even have some male groomers by April too. A little expansion programme we’re doing.’

‘Yes. It’s pretty much an all-female institution at the moment,’ Sophie added.

As soon as Angus left reception, Sophie asked, ‘Well?’

Lizzie smiled. ‘Good choice, Sophie. He seems to have loads of experience. Very presentable, charming, so I’ll take your word he can do the job. It will be interesting to see how our clients respond. Eye candy for the ladies.’

Sophie’s arm wrapped over Lizzie’s shoulder. ‘I knew you would like him. Excellent.’