Authors: Karen Aldous
‘I’ll meet Jack in the hall,’ Cal said flatly. ‘He’ll be down shortly and I don’t want him to see you like this.’
Cal took his jacket and closed the door behind him. He felt wretched, of course he did, but he knew exactly what would happen if he showed her any sympathy. He wasn’t here to counsel her. And he was fully aware of the tragic consequences the situation could have on Jack. His own experience had taught him that. Discovering his own parents’ breakup was devastating and the last thing he wanted was for Jack to go through what he had.
He was still waiting for Jack five minutes later. She came out of the kitchen just as Jack came down the stairs with a holdall spilling with clothes and books.
‘I think you need two bags, Jack. That’s just going to scatter over the car,’ Cal told him.
Kelly opened a door under the stairs and pulled out a large shopping bag. ‘Here. Take this.’
Jack stared at the bag in disgust.
‘We are going from the car to the beach house. Just put some of that stuff in and let’s go.’ Cal put his jacket on. ‘We’ll be over to see Harry and Bea tomorrow.’
Kelly held her head down. ‘Yes, fine. Here’s the key. I’ve stocked up the fridge. You’ll have plenty for a few days.’
‘Thank you. I, we, appreciate that, Kelly,’ Cal said, helping Jack reshuffle the bags.
‘Bye, Mom,’ Jack said brushing her cheek with a kiss. ‘See you tomorrow.’
Cal opened the door, smiled and gave her a polite wave.
True to her word, Kelly had made the beach house comfortable. The warmth as they entered was welcoming but a pungent fragrance of vanilla was just too much. Cal decided he would have to dispose of several diffusers placed on furniture and polluting the air. Jack, he knew, was keen to get to his station, and he watched him immediately bound up the stairs with his bags. They’d had a lengthy discussion on the flight. Jack had talked non-stop to him all about his plans to organise the spare bedroom he used as his study and set up the new laptop Cal had bought him at the airport.
Cal meanwhile threw down his bags and took out the box to set up his new phone. Not that it was much use at this point without any telephone numbers but he put it on charge. He figured he had no choice but to ring Lizzie at the office tomorrow. After warming a hearty steak and kidney pie, he and Jack finished half between them and went to bed. Although exhausted, Cal woke after a disturbing dream. Maybe he’d eaten too late, but it was haunting. He’d been reversing his car on what he thought was a road but it was pitch black and he wasn’t able to turn his body to see where he was going. Neither was he able to stop the car. It sped backwards at increasing speed leaving him helpless and scared. When it finally stopped he found it wasn’t a road at all but a track of the deepest, smoothest mud he had ever seen. What he then feared was that he could never get back on that track and go forward. Peering up, next to the track was a small opening. Cyclists then appeared from the air diving into it.
He lifted his pillow, trying to make sense of it, his mind churning. Was he frightened for himself or Jack? Was his subconscious trying to tell him there was another way? Maybe his fears were manifesting; the challenge of trying to conceal Kelly and Reuben’s broken marriage from Jack, the prospect of Kelly not consenting to Jack leaving the States, the notion that Jack could get to school on Tuesday and reverse straight back out with no way of getting back on track. He suddenly felt so alone. These were all obstacles he had to overcome to get his son on the road to happiness, and to clear his own guilty conscience.
Guilt was possibly central. Key to what he had set himself. He was trying to make up for all the years he had not been there for Jack. Trying to prove to Jack that if he had had his way all those years ago, he would have done things differently. Or at least tried. Maybe in his own way he was seeking to make Kelly suffer the way she had made him suffer all these years; running off with his son.
Her words echoed in his ear. ‘And don’t think he will be leaving here afterwards.’
It had to be her anger talking. Surely she would want what’s best for her son? And Jack could certainly speak for himself. Kelly couldn’t argue with her son’s wishes knowing he would be safe in his father’s custody.
Cal turned over and reached for his phone. It didn’t take him long to find the state law on the internet and decide if he had to, he would submit a petition for Jack. There was no doubt in his mind how far his son had come since he’d arrived.
He checked the time and calculated the time difference in Cannes. After looking up the telephone number on the website, he rang the salon number.
Lucie’s voice sang an efficient chorus and he asked for Lizzie.
‘I haven’t seen her yet this morning, Cal, I can ask her to call you when she’s in.’
‘Please. Can you take this number and pass it to her? It’s a new mobile.’
So maybe it was a little early but Lizzie was always in by eight-thirty even if she wasn’t at her desk. He wondered if Thierry was poorly, or Lizzie had just got chatting on her way in. The next thing, he was in darkness in a deep sleep.
He was woken by a thud. He shot out of bed and raced across the landing to find Jack in his study moving a book case and a scattering of titles lying on the floor.
Jack glanced from the books to his father. ‘I got it all looking smart then thought it would be better over on this wall closer to my desk.’
Cal’s adrenalin subsided and his head became heavy. He stepped over to the bookshelf and grasped the other end to Jack.
‘OK, lift.’ They carried it and placed it in the corner by Jack’s desk. Cal noticed the digital clock registering gone midday. ‘It’s not that late surely?’
‘It sure is.’
Cal shook his head. ‘I can’t believe I’ve been asleep all that time. I’ll give Lizzie a call and then get something to eat. We still have the other half of that pie. Maybe we can get out for an hour.’
Heading straight back to his room, Cal picked up his phone and noted the missed calls. He dialled the salon again. This time he was transferred to Lizzie’s phone.
‘God, am I pleased to hear from you. You obviously know you left your phone in the car,’ she said.
‘I thought that was the case. Great to hear your voice though. Sorry, I dropped off after I rang.’
‘Well, I was going to return to airport, only I nearly killed myself trying to reach the phone.’
‘Jesus, Lizzie. What were you doing?’
‘Being stupid and trying to pick it up off the floor. Luckily, I got control of the car. I thought it was going to roll, but I got the wheel and it seemed to carry on. I can’t tell you how bloody thankful I am to be alive. I was such a wreck all day yesterday, and this morning. I was awake most of the night where it kept playing over and over in my mind.’ Lizzie knew much of her wakefulness was due to her suspicions but, she was determined to be mature.
‘You surprise me. What possessed you to try and pick it up whilst you were driving?’
‘It was ringing and I thought it must be you trying to find it. I was going to let you know I’d bring it back to the airport.’
‘Darling Lizzie, I’m flattered you were trying to help but really…’ He closed his eyes trying not to think the unthinkable.
Apart from their brief visit to see Harry and Bea, Cal and Jack had enjoyed a brisk stroll along the beach the following day. Although the breeze was strong, the sun was warm and Cal felt so much more alive after sitting so long on the flights the previous day. Now he would make the most of today, or what was left of it, and keep Jack as relaxed as possible for his big challenge tomorrow.
When Jack came down dressed and ready for school the next morning, Cal could almost feel his son’s anxiety vibrate through him. Cal had set the table and was just stirring scrambled eggs as Jack came into the kitchen and peered over the pan.
‘There’s some toast on the table and I’ve just made us some great scrambled egg. You wait till you try this.’ Much to Cal’s surprise, Jack gripped his stomach and looked at him with gritted teeth.
‘Phwa Dad, sorry but I just couldn’t eat a thing.’
‘I thought I’d keep it light.’
‘No.’ Jack took a deep breath. ‘Thanks, Dad but, I can’t even sit at the table. I’m going out on deck to get some air.’
‘Yes, OK, fine.’ Cal placed the egg in the serving dish. He’d suddenly lost his appetite too. He covered it and joined Jack outside.
‘You OK?’
Jack was leaning on the veranda on his elbows looking out to sea. ‘It still haunts me. That post on Facebook.’
‘Do you know what haunts me?’
Jack’s head swung round to his father who was now leaning next to him.
‘The satisfaction that silly little girl will or has acquired by thinking she has humiliated you and brought you to your knees.’
‘Well, she did.’
‘For a bit, maybe, but you know you’re above that. You know that she could quite possibly spend her time hurting the next person, and the next, because she gets a kick out of manipulating people. OK, she’s young, she’ll probably grow out of it and hopefully show remorse but my point is, so what? There will be individuals who are like that whatever environment you’re in, at school, at work, among so-called friends. It’s their problem, not yours. All you need to do is get on and do what you need to do. And in a few days you’ll laugh and wonder what all the fuss was about.’
Jack held his head down for a few seconds and then gripped the rail with his hands as if bracing himself.
‘Yeah, you’re right. It’s just not going to be easy. The whole school will know about it, and I feel I’ll just be the butt of all their jokes.’
‘I think you’ll be surprised. People have their own lives to worry about. You’ll get one silly little group. That’s all. You can ignore a few comments. And you can even pity their weakness but don’t even give her, or anyone, that pleasure of showing any attention. Just don’t bite. She doesn’t warrant any more of your time. You have too much to lose. In a few weeks, when you are finished, you can start your new life.’
Jack held up his hand for a high-five. ‘I’m so glad you came here, Dad.’
‘So am I, Jack, so am I.’
‘OK. I’m ready for this. Let’s go meet Brett at his.’
Cal’s heart was still pumping as he stayed in the car observing his son and Brett march down the path into school. They appeared to be in mindless chatter and completely unaware of those around them. He could only imagine what his son was going through. The fears jangling inside him. He figured it was now up to Jack. He could do no more but pray, and refrain from getting himself so uptight. He had never experienced emotions quite like these before. Each little worry or stress Jack displayed or Cal thought he was anxious about, he was going through too. Was it possible to conceive this was what full-time parents must carry daily?
Continuing his vigil, he sat on standby, just in case Jack should have a change of heart. His vision fixed on the path. He didn’t want to move but didn’t wish to appear a stalker, or some weirdo sitting in his car. Surely he should have the right to be a cautious parent. He suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of pride for his son and as his throat numbed, his skin flushed and tears sprang in his eyes.
Please be OK, Jack.
With an urge to share both his angst and Jack’s triumph, he selected ‘Lizzie Mobile’ that was now on his phone. Trying desperately to hold back, his emotions surged out as soon as her voice reached his ears. She listened to him, barely saying a word, which was all he needed.
Hearing just a few soothing words from her he said, ‘Thank you. I feel a whole lot better now.’
‘Well, I’ve got my fingers and toes crossed for you both,’ Lizzie replied.
‘I could never stop loving you, Lizzie Lambert.’
‘I feel we may have something in common there, Mr McLaren, because no matter what, I’ll always love you.’
‘That makes me happy to hear that.’
‘Oh, by the way. Not so romantic, but Monsieur Giroux called you back. I’ll text you his number. It’s probably about those antiques Jack and Thierry found.’
‘Thanks, I’ll give him a call back.’
After the trauma of Sunday, Lizzie also gave way to her own tears. Hearing from Cal that Jack was settling in was great, but once she’d put down the phone, she couldn’t stop herself from having her own grizzle. She even resorted to shutting her office door which was highly unusual. She hadn’t realised how much seeing those text messages had affected her until now. And missing Cal. Particularly as he would unavoidably be with Kelly so much. That woman knew how to throw a drama in his path and no doubt manipulate Cal into feeling sorry for her. She could visualise her now, faking the tears, seeking comfort from Cal because her husband had abandoned her. Cal wrapping his arm around her and soothing her.
The image kept haunting her but she tried to be upbeat when Sophie and Charles arrived back Saturday afternoon. Still tired from the long flight, they popped into the apartment carrying a bag and looking so relaxed compared to when they went two weeks ago.
‘So come and tell me all about it. I’m itching to hear,’ Lizzie said after she had greeted them both with kisses and Thierry had managed to get himself coiled in Aunty Sophie’s arms.
‘Well, it seems I have become quite the celebrity in the aesthetic surgery industry and my procedure is now officially known as the Pitou. I had a few rounds of press and TV interviews, so it’s all been pretty good. I’m glad it’s over though. I just want to hide away from the limelight and lead a normal existence again.’ She squeezed Thierry and swung him round before planting a big kiss on his cheek. ‘Whoa, you are getting rather heavy, little T,’ she said putting him back down and pulling a bag towards her. ‘I do have a little something for you though.’ Sophie pulled out a beautifully wrapped box and handed it to Thierry.
Thierry’s tongue slid to the side of his mouth. ‘Have you got this for me?’
‘Yes, I brought it all the way back from America. Open it.’
Sophie also handed one to Marie-Claire who had sat down to help Thierry, and one for Lizzie.
‘Thank you, Sophie, you shouldn’t have.’