Authors: Karen Aldous
Lizzie turned, smiling down at her friend. ‘Sounds just the tonic, Dr Pitou.’
‘Good.’
‘Is everything OK?’ Lizzie asked, slipping her key into the lock.
‘I’m fine. A little tired but boy, I’m so glad Angus has stayed on.’ Sophie held the door as Lizzie stepped in and shut it behind her.
‘I know, it’s unbelievable how busy we are. Where did all these clients come from?’
Marie-Claire was tidying the kitchen when they entered the apartment. Lizzie grabbed some plates and wine glasses whilst Sophie opened the wine and pulled out a chair at the dining table.
Lizzie sat opposite and passed a plate. ‘Not that I’m complaining. I think we have had a record week this week.’
‘You did say Rue d’Antibes was the place to be. Anyway,’ Sophie continued as she prised the pizza apart and placed half on each plate, ‘I can’t help noticing how little there is of you lately. You’ve lost so much weight. Too much. What’s wrong?’
‘Nothing. It’s just busy and, well you know what it’s like.’
‘Oh Lizzie. Go and look in the mirror. It’s not just your weight, it’s your hair, your skin. Your clothes are trailing behind you they’re so loose.’
‘Thanks.’
‘Don’t tell me there’s nothing wrong. Are you ill? Do you feel ill?’ Sophie asked pouring the wine.
Lizzie sipped from her glass. ‘No. No. I’m fine. Honestly, I’m fine. I’ve not been particularly hungry. With Cal away, we…well, I’ve got out of the habit of cooking. Marie-Claire eats with Thierry so I suppose I’ve just picked really.’
‘You’re worrying about him aren’t you?’ Sophie bit into a large slice of her pizza.
Lizzie leaned back nibbling her pizza and crossed her legs. ‘A bit I suppose.’
Sophie drew a deep breath raising her eyebrows. Lizzie knew her friend wasn’t going to be fobbed off.
‘OK. Yes. Guilty as charged.’
‘Anxiety, depression possibly? You need to spit it out. Are you still fretting about him spending time with Kelly?’
Scratching her cheek, Lizzie rolled the small bite of pizza around her mouth then swallowed. ‘She’s split up with Reuben. She’s probably craving attention. She’s one of these people who thrive on drama and needs everyone to notice. And she was too familiar. When I was out there that week, she was there all the time fussing over him and…I don’t know, trying to compete with me. I can’t help thinking she is trying to get her claws into him.’
‘Have you spoken to him about your concerns?’
‘What do you mean? What am I going to ask? Are you sleeping with your ex?’ Lizzie fought hard as her mouth quivered.
‘Yes, if you have to. Have you told him it’s upsetting you?’
‘No. He has enough to worry about. I’m not going to add any more to his list. And I certainly wouldn’t want him to think I’m jealous or paranoid. Anyway, he’ll be back in less than two weeks. It may be before. Apparently, Jack has his SATs next week.’
‘Thank God for that. You can’t carry on like this. You should speak to him. At least if you discussed your fears with him, he would have the opportunity to allay them and reassure you.’
‘No. He would feel compelled to come back. Jack is battling with school. He has to stay and get Jack through this. I can cope. Jack can’t.’
‘But you can’t. Clearly you’re making yourself ill.’
‘Sophie. It’s OK. I’m fine.’
‘Look, why don’t try some medi…’
‘No.’ Lizzie took another swig of her wine. ‘No. I don’t want medication. There’s nothing wrong with me.’
‘OK. Have it your way, but…’ Sophie reached for her bag and shook a tiny bottle of rescue remedy in front of her.
Lizzie knew that bottle. ‘This stuff should have your bloody name on it!’
‘Thank you, Monsieur Giroux. A letter will be fine, yes. Goodbye,’ Cal said finishing his call.
He hadn’t meant to sound so abrupt but a box of antiques was the least of his problems right now. He wiped his brow, not at all sure why he’d answered the call at all. He could see it wasn’t local. But he supposed Jack was capable of anything.
Damn you, Jack! Just be safe.
All he knew was Jack’s passport wasn’t in his room and neither was his rucksack. What the fuck had happened and where was he? It was now getting on for three hours since he’d had a call from the school. Jack had stormed out, upset after an argument. Cal had driven the roads and scoured town streets, harbour and paths as well as notified the police and the ferry terminal. He’d raced to Kelly’s and searched every inch of the house, summerhouse and garage. He’d rushed back home in case he’d returned, but the house and below deck showed no sign of his son. Surely he couldn’t get far? Jesus, why now with only two weeks to go? Why hadn’t he just given him a phone? His fingers were shaking and his head throbbed as he swiped the phone and hit Kelly’s number again.
‘Still nothing,’ she said. ‘Cal, I’m so angry. You shouldn’t have made him go back. You were here to make sure this didn’t happen again. I hold you responsible. Flyn is doing what he can. One of the waitresses at Brand Point Grill thought she saw him down at the harbour. Bob, Brett’s father, has gone down there.’
‘So why didn’t you ring me? Jesus, Kelly.’ Cal dashed for his car keys.
‘You were…’
‘I’m going down there. And for fuck sake ring me with anything, OK? Anything.’
Cal spun the car round on the gravel drive and sped towards the harbour. Jack may have enough cash for a ferry but there was no way he would get much further.
Unless!
He pulled the car over to a marshy verge. Lifting himself from his seat, he reached for his back pocket and pulled out his wallet. Both his bank and two credit cards were in place and, pulling out the dollar notes and counting, all seemed to be there. That was surely a good sign.
Think think think!
Could Jack be hiding in a boat like he had before, he wondered. CCTV cameras, they must have caught him somewhere. He tucked the wallet back into his pocket and suddenly he jumped as his mobile abruptly burst into song. He hit the screen.
‘Awesome news. The school have just rung. Jack’s returned,’ Kelly told him.
Cal threw back his head. ‘Th…’
‘And he’s back in class,’ she added.
‘Thank God.’ He threw his fist in the air. ‘Did they tell you where he was?’
‘Roaming apparently.’
‘OK. I’ll go and collect him.’ His eyes scanned the digital clock on the dashboard. ‘I’ll go along now and wait outside.’ Several pounds of fear melted from his shoulders.
‘But it’s only two! Ah right, to make sure he doesn’t bolt again.’
Still shrugging off the relief, Cal asked, ‘Yes but Kelly, I’m just curious as to what may have triggered Jack. Have you mentioned your separation with Reuben to anyone at all?’
‘Oh, here we go. Cal, I knew this was coming. You’re so fixated on finding something else to blame me for. Do you know how hard it is for me at the moment? Has it occurred to you how much pain I’m going through with no one to turn to? I’ve not told a soul on the island. My parents are the only ones who know. They wanted to come over, knowing how upset I am, but I’ve told them not to. Why? Because I respect what we are doing here for Jack. I think the best thing for me is to return to England. I need my mother and,’ her voice quivered,’ the children would get to see their grandparents. And it might be better if Jack was with me in London.’
Cal felt a stab in his heart. ‘OK, calm down. I’m not looking to blame you. It was a reasonable question under the circumstances. He’s been doing so well. I’m sure we’ll get to the bottom of it.’
‘Maybe he’s guessed. Jack’s not stupid, Cal. He must have known things have been going down a slippery slope for some time. I don’t think he’d be shocked at the knowledge.’
He knew Kelly was probably right and had often wondered if it had contributed to Jack’s feelings of isolation when he first went missing. Had Jack emailed him to help because there was too much conflict at home? No one, he felt, was interested in him? That aside, Cal still felt that a finality such as a divorce could trigger deep pain and, at the very least, unnecessary levels of stress for Jack at the moment.
‘Kelly, I’m sorry it’s been highly stressful for you and I appreciate it’s not been easy. Maybe it was the pressure of the exams. He’s set his standards high and is expecting to get good grades. It’s possibly bending him out of shape.’
‘I agree. And thanks, Cal. It’s good to hear you offer some kind words for once. I know I shouldn’t expect them from you. Hell, what I put you through all those years ago. I can understand why you wouldn’t want to offer any sympathy.’
‘Look, let’s take the kids to the beach at the weekend. Give them some time out together.’
‘I think that could be just the tonic, Cal, I really do.’
‘Well, you don’t have to organise food, we’ll walk along to Millie’s and grab something to eat there.’
He watched Jack as he walked down the path towards him, oozing confidence and surrounded by friends. The pride flowing from Cal’s chest confirmed Jack had grown so much as a person and was heading in the right direction. For the first time in his life, Cal felt like a real parent. A proud father. His influence had counted and Jack had listened and considered the consequences, and acted. He’d returned to school of his own choosing and by the looks of things, gained the respect he deserved.
Jack jumped in the car dragging the rucksack to his lap and closing the door. His head suddenly hung in shame. ‘Hi, Dad.’
‘Looks like you’ve had a good day?’ Cal started the engine.
Jack shook his head. ‘Actually, it was the shittiest so far.’
‘You didn’t strike me as someone who has had the shittiest day?’
‘Well, I’m not proud of myself. I let that girl get to me earlier. Her friend, the one I started dating, she had told them all she wanted to get back with me. Anyway, they’d all gathered to tell me this. I mean, I’m not even interested. But then the poisoned one crept in and opened her mouth, said I was…well, I don’t want to say what she said, but said she would post me on Facebook again. I didn’t know how to handle it. I know I didn’t want to listen, I didn’t even want to defend myself. I was so angry. Dad, I really wanted to punch her there and then. So I walked away. And then the next thing I was out of the school and just kept walking.’
‘That sounds reasonable.’
‘At first I couldn’t face going back. Then, the more I thought about it, I…I knew I had to go. And, I had to ignore her. Deal with it and do the right thing for me. I’m glad I got away. If I’d have reacted I would have been in all sorts of trouble. I shouldn’t have walked out of the school, I know, but all the guys and most of the girls said I did the right thing. I’m more upset with myself for letting her get to me. Anyway. I won’t let her do it again. I went back and I had a chat with my Principal and he told me it won’t go against me. The fact that I’d cooled down and gone back made it OK.’
Cal held up his palm for a high-five. ‘I’m proud of you, Jack.’ They slapped hands. ‘You absolutely did the right thing. You had me and your mother tearing our hair out but…you did good. You thought it through and put it right. I’m so proud. Where were you anyway? We had a bloody search party out trying to locate you. God knows how you managed to stay low.’
Jack laughed. ‘Well, I did hide eventually, but I was also walking around. Sorry. I didn’t mean to make trouble.’
‘Doesn’t matter. I’m just grateful you’re OK and you handled it like an adult.’ Cal turned into the track. ‘How do you fancy going to the beach at the weekend? The forecast looks good, I’ve asked your mum, Harry and Bea along.’
Jack’s eyes lit up. ‘Awesome. Yeah, cool with me.’
Cal smiled. ‘Great, you deserve a break. You’ve worked hard and it will refuel you. You still have a little way to go.’
‘Mmm. Don’t remind me. I really want those grades.’
‘I know you’ll do your best,’ Cal told him. ‘Oh, by the way, I heard back from Monsieur Giroux. The guy I bought the vineyard from. He rang me earlier about those items you and Thierry found.’
Lizzie’s shoulders felt lighter after speaking to Sophie. There really was no pulling the wool over her eyes. Not that she was hiding anything. She thought she’d been coping well. The last thing she wanted was to be a drama queen like Kelly. Cal didn’t need any more like her in his life. And Sophie was really very sweet taking time out to let her air her concerns and listen.
The following day at the salon was just as hectic. She checked all the schedules for the following few days meticulously with Josephine making sure each consultant had enough time allocated for each client. Inevitably clients would increase demands as they do but, at this time of year when top celebrities and film industry personnel made demands, the challenge was to make sure they all received a first-class service. She’d even got some top make-up artists in from London agencies to help with the increasing demand. The next challenge was calling in favours. Charles, thankfully, had willingly agreed to accommodate them at his apartment otherwise the costs would be phenomenal. And, as Lizzie had offered to get Jean-Luc to freshen the decor, he offered it for Caroline and Michael’s stay too. Angus also offered two spare rooms at his apartment.
He also offered to take her along with Sophie and Charles out for lunch on Sunday as a thank you. It felt strange going out without Cal now but Lizzie was quite pleased to get out for a change of scenery. Angus picked them up and they drove up to Mougins and to the La Pergola restaurant. A restaurant with a beautiful terrace overlooking the Provence countryside and mountains.
After a beer, they shared a fine bottle of red wine.
‘This is a good choice, Angus. Very smooth,’ Lizzie said.
‘Ditto,’ Charles added.
‘Thank you. I have to admit I am fussy with my wine. Maybe it’s because I’m Scottish. I don’t like to waste my money but a small glass of a good wine beats a bucket of plonk in my eyes,’ he mused with smiling blue eyes at Lizzie sitting next to him. She wished she knew who he reminded her of.
‘Where are you from?’ Charles sat forward in his chair leaning an elbow on the table.
‘The bonny city of Edinburgh. I don’t get back much nowadays though.’