Authors: Karen Aldous
Once they reached the kitchen which contained just a medieval-looking oven in the wall and a battered oak table, Cal immediately slapped his arm around her shoulder.
‘I’m sure you have the expertise here. What do you have in mind, Lizzie?’
As all eyes were on her, she wiped her brow in a fluster. ‘I’ll have to think about how we would use the space. Annatia, maybe you have some initial ideas?’
She was so consumed with her own thoughts, mostly insecurities and Jack, she’d barely thought about Cal expecting input from her for the house. Not yet anyway. She imagined it as a long-term project but Cal was going to run the managing from the States and wanted to get as much input as he could before returning with Jack so that work could begin. He sure wasn’t hanging around. Yes, it was an exciting prospect, but thank goodness for Annatia and Jean-Luc. Their joint experience of building and interior space saved them so much time and energy, working out the best workable design and what finish and colour. It would have taken her weeks of research and pain deciding what was best. And they had worked out a few options in minutes, leaving her to think things through.
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.’
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.