Authors: Karen Aldous
‘Oh, they’re not much.’
As Thierry opened his dinosaur puzzle, Lizzie lifted out a rather fetching sunhat.
‘It’s beautiful. I love the light blue. This is way too lovely to wear on the beach. Thank you. And Thierry, what do you say to Auntie Sophie and Uncle Charlie for your nice puzzle?’
‘Thank you.’
‘Cal’s is a cowboy hat we bought up in the Grand Canyon. Has he gone back?’
Lizzie forced a smile. ‘Yes. They flew back Sunday. So now the rest of the trip. Where have you been?’
Sophie and Charles filled in the details of their tour and the sailing Charles got to do.
‘So we did an awful lot. But the helicopter over the Grand Canyon was rather special. Charles organised it as a surprise and, when they dropped us onto the Canyon, he gave me this,’ Sophie showed off an eternity ring, ‘and we set the date and venue for the wedding.’
‘Oh great news. Show me. Tell me?’ Lizzie grasped her friend’s finger, admiring the white-gold band of tiny diamonds. ‘Oh, beautiful, and finally, a date. When?’
Sophie turned to Charles, who gave a smirk. ‘Well, as it’s both our birthdays in September, we have agreed the twelfth.’
‘Tell Lizzie the rest, Charles. It was your idea. It’s wonderful Lizzie, listen to this.’
A blushing Charles sat back in his chair and folded one leg over the other. His mouth twitched and Lizzie began to giggle. She knew he hated a fuss.
‘Aww, Charles, you are a one,’ she told him, peering around the room. ‘Charles, you’re only talking to me. No one else is here.’
‘I thought it would be romantic to get married on the yacht. Only six of us go out to sea for the ceremony and then we come back to the Vieux Port and join the congregation on a hired cruiser for celebrations.’
Lizzie immediately threw her arms around Sophie. ‘Oh, wow, congratulations, the pair of you. Charles, that is so romantic, you old devil. You are a dark horse.’
Sophie beamed. ‘I know, I was shocked when he suggested it but I thought it would be so apt with Charles having the passion, and a great idea. I’m really looking forward to it.’
‘And have you thought about your dress? Charles, you must wear a naval officer uniform.’
Charles cleared his throat and gave a little chuckle. ‘No. I had something a little more summery in mind. I’ll treat myself to some new sailing whites.’
‘Oh, I agree,’ said Sophie. ‘I love him in his sailing whites. And, for me, I thought a really beautiful chiffon that will blow in the breeze.’
Lizzie could hardly contain her excitement. ‘Oh vintage twenties, I can wear my hat you bought me.’
‘Yes, of course. You will be my chief bridesmaid won’t you?’ Sophie asked.
‘Absolutely. Oh what fun!’
Sophie mimicked a Charleston stance. ‘Great idea, yes we can theme it twenties. A soft powder blue would really suit you. I’ll get our life jackets specially made to blend in. And we can wear our hair in the style too. Oh and Thierry. How would you feel about him coming out on the yacht and being my page boy? Again, I’ll get him a specially-made life jacket.’
‘Yes of course, he would never forgive you if he wasn’t there.’
Sophie danced with a euphoric squeal and Lizzie couldn’t help but share in seeing her friend so happy. For years Sophie had been a slave to her studies, she so deserved some time to let her hair down and follow her heart. And Charles was just the perfect match. So unassuming and deadpan yet so action-orientated. He had obviously now completely recovered from the death of his first wife and was ready to make a fresh start. And whatever reservations he had last year had finally gone. Yes, their engagement had been testimony to him moving on but today, he oozed such conviction.
‘And there’s something else you should know, Lizzie,’ Sophie said, hushing the tone of her voice.
Lizzie’s stomach lunged with alarm. ‘Oh?’
‘Don’t fret. This is just to forewarn you, business-wise really. As you’ve gathered, we’ve actually had a chance to chat and put some of our plans for the future in place. We’ve discussed loads. And, we’ve both decided we would like to start a family next year if all goes to plan so, if and when it happens, I would like to take a few months’ maternity leave.’
‘Phew,’ Lizzie said with a fat smile emerging. ‘That’s fantastic. I couldn’t wish for a happier outcome for you both. You had me going for a minute. I thought you were going to tell me you were going to work in the States.’
‘Oh, well that’s another story. Yes, I was offered but, no. We both love it here too much. And my apartment is coming along beautifully so we’ll be making that our home. For a few years at least.’
‘Thank God. I couldn’t bear the thought of losing you after all the years I’ve so selfishly got you here.’ Lizzie rushed to the kitchen and opened the fridge. ‘Well, my fridge must have known because here are some bubbles nicely chilled,’ she said lifting out the bottle and then gathering some champagne flutes.
Sophie rested herself on Charles’s knee and she snuggled up to him. ‘I was meant to come to the South of France. I don’t know why you ever thought you were being selfish. It’s worked out perfectly. Our dream of a salon, and my dream man.’
Lizzie breathed a heartfelt sigh as she peered at Sophie looking so longingly at Charles.
Sophie looked up. ‘Oh, how was your time with Cal and Jack? Did you have a good time?’
Not really wanting to be reminded, Lizzie walked over to the coffee table by the happy couple on the sofa and placed the glasses in front of them before untying the wire on the bottle.
‘Yes, we had fab time,’ she said and continued, as she poured the Prosecco, to tell them about the visits to Domaine Margot with Jack and Rose and the refurbishment plans. Then, of course, Jack’s unanticipated fascination with becoming a cosmetic surgeon after his visit to the salon.
Sophie sat forward making Charles yelp as she moved. ‘Sorry, darling. Oh wow Lizzie, this is exciting news. Presumably Angus has clued him up on the years of study he needs?’
‘Oh, yes, but he’s not deterred. In fact it’s made him more determined. He’s even taking French lessons when he returns with Cal and we hope to persuade him to study here rather than in London.’
‘Brilliant. I hope he can make the grades.’
Despite feeling this was an extremely positive step in Jack’s progress, and even without Cal’s concerns about Jack wishing to go to London, Lizzie found herself becoming niggled. Flashing through her mind again was Kelly parading a sexy dress in front of Cal, and then Kelly’s big weepy eyes leering at Cal for a sympathetic hug and Cal responding. Her insides roiled.
Stop, stop!
Why would you torment yourself? Trust him.
‘You look worried, do you think, or does Cal think he can?’ Sophie said bringing Lizzie’s attention back. ‘Make the grades,’ she prompted her.
‘Oh, er yes, I think so. They seem pretty confident. Anyway, we are celebrating you two and your future.’ Lizzie handed them the champagne flutes now bursting with bubbles. ‘To…Sophie and Charles!’
With the heady excitement of Sophie and Charles’s wonderful news Lizzie deflated quickly once they’d left her apartment and she began washing the emptied champagne flutes. Not because she wasn’t overwhelmingly happy for them, she was, but she supposed it was more about the certainty their relationship had compared to her and Cal’s. When she considered that Sophie met Cal’s friend Charles only a short few months before she and Cal got together, their relationship had bonded very quickly even with a short break-up in between. They had committed to getting engaged before Christmas and now, despite not having much time together, set a date for the wedding. It made Lizzie wonder.
Cal had been keen to move in with her and to get her involved in the plans for Domaine Margot. Was it all just so convenient for him? What were his intentions? Would he ever ask her to marry him? Maybe he wanted to discover if there was a chance of rekindling a relationship with Kelly first. She slumped down on the sofa. Everything was going perfectly a short while ago; before Jack’s problems. Not that she would ever blame Jack. Poor Jack. Was she being totally insecure and unreasonable?
She observed her son happily watching the film
Finding Nemo
, a story he currently favoured. Marie-Claire was getting ready to meet her boyfriend. Lizzie curled her body into the corner of the sofa, nursing her aching heart. Her mind began going into overdrive now visualising Kelly with Cal. She picked up her mobile from the coffee table and tapped her finger on Cal’s name.
Immediately his sensual tone whirled into her, awakening her longings. How did he do that at such a distance? Deciding not to torment herself further, she heightened her tone, relaying Sophie and Charles’s wedding news which Cal was pleased to hear. Cal then gave her an update regarding Kelly and Reuben. It was not what she wanted to hear. With Kelly officially separated, this was her worst nightmare.
‘It sounds like she will be needing your support too?’ she said desperately willing any bitterness out of her voice.
‘I’m sure she does but imagine how Jack would react if he found this out now? God, I just pray she can keep it to herself for now and allow Jack to focus on his exams. I hope I’ve convinced her he has enough pressures to cope with.’
Lizzie scoffed. ‘Do you really think Kelly is capable of keeping her emotions under control for that length of time?’
Cal didn’t respond straight away and Lizzie immediately regretted her words.
‘I don’t know,’ Cal said. ‘I’m…I’m being optimistic. I mean, I’m sorry if their marriage has broken down but, quite frankly, the timing couldn’t be much worse.’
Oh, I think she’s timed it perfectly, Lizzie wanted to say. She couldn’t help thinking Kelly was deliberately seeking an opportunity to reclaim the man she thought perhaps was rightfully hers. Surely this was no coincidence. Even if her marriage had been threadbare before Jack’s problems, it had certainly notched up a gear since their last visit in the New Year.
Were her suspicions just? Was Kelly really so calculating; fancying her chances with Cal? Then a thought struck her: maybe Kelly had been mentally shaken by Cal having a new love in his life. Maybe she had always taken it for granted Cal would be there for her and was now afraid she would lose him for good.
‘Hmm, well,’ Lizzie said finally. She can’t have Jack’s interest at heart. If she did, she could have smoothed things over with Reuben a little longer. It’s not like they live together.’
‘Exactly.’
‘So no doubt she will try to pour her heart out to you every day,’ Lizzie added, her worst fears now pounding her chest.
‘Christ, I hope not. I’ve only agreed to take Jack home for an hour a day to see her, and Harry and Bea. She knows how I feel. I’ve just got to trust her not to have any emotional outbursts! She’s under strict instructions not to come to the beach house.’
Lizzie almost let out a laugh. How did Cal imagine for one minute that would work? In fact that would probably make her worse or, at best, more inventive.
‘Well, good luck. I think you might need it.’
‘Hmm. Yes, you’re probably right. Even though I told her, I don’t think it occurs to her that I will be busy project managing everything from here when Jack’s at school. And I’m going to help him revise when he’s not. I’ll lock the door.’
With each passing day, Lizzie struggled to keep her mind uncontaminated by the tormenting images of Cal and Kelly. Organising the special meeting for her mother and her cousins at least gave her something to try to focus on. That was becoming quite a task in itself. She’d had to email Pheely again to seek some answers. She couldn’t book a venue without knowing how mobile her mother’s cousin Angela was, and whether stairs would be a problem, or if she was averse to certain foods. Pheely had assured her that her mother was pretty fit for her seventy-five years and, although a little slower, would manage most things. And food, Pheely informed her, was rarely a problem. But even the workload, which was increasingly keeping her busy, failed to diffuse her anxiety.
Conversations with Cal were far from reassuring. They were becoming less frequent as the weeks got busier at the salon and snatched due to her time restraints and even though he hadn’t reported anything untoward, she couldn’t shake off her paranoia. Her mind was constantly trying to read between the lines of his words.
‘Yes, we spent some time at the beach today. Kelly brought Harry and Bea over so they could surf with Jack and we took them along to Millie’s restaurant for something to eat afterwards. We’ve had a warm spell this weekend and Jack has been working really hard.’
Harmless words which gnawed to the pit of her stomach. Her imagination worked overtime, stretching and bending this way and that to reinterpret the situation and imagine the worst. Why did she suppose they would be walking hand in hand, laughing and smiling to one another? Why did she feel she wanted to scream at him ‘can’t you see she’s manipulating you’?
It seemed like he’d been gone for months but it really was just weeks. Four and a half weeks to be exact and each day was becoming a colossal struggle. The Cannes film festival was now in its second week and the strain at the salon was monumental, but worse, Lizzie was spiralling down so fast in her confidence with Cal. Tearful, sleepless nights were now a pattern she couldn’t break. Her trust in him was waning at bullet speed. Each gruelling minute her head consumed itself with images of Cal and Kelly happily rekindling their love together. She was trapped in the same never-ending circle of the mistrust and suspicion she’d gone through with Hugo and Anton. Sliding wearily back to the darkest pit of despair she never thought she would allow herself to visit again. But here she was, she was sure, about to come face to face with a truth she couldn’t endure. Cal and Kelly would hurt her.
It was Sophie who commented on her weight loss first. Just as Lizzie reached home one evening, Sophie caught up with her. It was eight-thirty and they had both had a long day.
‘Oh, what are you doing here?’ Lizzie asked as she unlocked the front entrance door.
‘There’s no space to have a private conversation at the salon with Angus using your office at the moment, so I thought I’d pop in.’ Sophie followed her up the stairs. ‘I’ve just grabbed a bottle of wine and a pizza if you have any energy?’