Authors: Karen Aldous
‘Jesus, Thierry.’ She grabbed her clothes from the floor and dashed to his room. Nothing but an empty bed, and the curtains already pulled back. She scrambled into her jeans and top, unable to avoid looking out the window. The view of the sea was fantastic but this was not the time. She ran down the stairs in search of her son.
‘Oh thank God, there you are. Why didn’t someone wake me?’ she said as she raced into the kitchen.
‘Mummy,’ Thierry squealed as she reached the dining table and planted a kiss on his cheek, observing his concentration on one of his puzzles.
‘Good morning, sweet pea. Whoa, so sorry. Mummy woke up very late.’
Cal’s eyes brightened and he stood and greeted her with a quick kiss. ‘Truly, I did call you after I showered up but you must have been exhausted. There was no stirring whatsoever. I kept a check on Thierry until he woke about nine-thirty. He’s been quietly engrossed in the puzzles for the last half hour.’
Smiling sleepily, she then forced her puffy eyes to widen. ‘Thank you. I can’t believe the time.’
Kelly got to her feet. ‘Well, it’s still morning, albeit closer to lunch. What can I get you to eat, honey? I got a turkey club, bacon and avocado, pulled pork and slaw, lobster with mayo or melted butter?’
Lizzie scratched her head. ‘Oh phew, just a coffee for the moment, thanks. In fact, you sit down, I’ll get it.’
‘Nonsense, hon! I’ll get it. I’ll take one in for Jack’s tutor too. You won’t want another coffee yet will you, Cal? I know it’s been playing havoc with your digestion.’
Lizzie shot Cal a frown. Since when, she wondered.
Cal shrugged with a surprised look on his face. ‘As Jack doesn’t have a class tomorrow, shall we tour the island or, we can go to Martha’s Vineyard?’
‘Entirely up to you. It would be nice to have a walk along the beach today. What time does Jack finish?’
‘He’ll finish at twelve and can do his homework when we come back,’ Kelly said.
‘Won’t you be picking Harry and Bea up? We can find our way around, especially as Jack will be with us.’
‘No it’s fine. I doubt a walk out here will take more than a couple of hours.’
Lizzie scratched an invisible mark on her eyelid as she glared at Cal. Alarm mounted on his face.
‘Kelly. I haven’t seen Lizzie for a whole week. Would you mind if we took the boys alone?’
Her hand shot up as her jaw slumped. ‘Yeah, right. Of course,’ Kelly said shooting her eyes in Lizzie’s direction.
The glare of indignation was palpable on Lizzie’s cheeks and sudden guilt almost led her to protest. It was probably best Cal should tell her now otherwise they may not get privacy all week. She could see the hurt in the woman’s eyes however and knew Kelly had made such an effort to make them all feel so welcome and comfortable. Lizzie soon found the perfect distraction. She glided over to the double doors leading out to the deck.
‘The views here are spectacular. Of course, arriving in the dark last night, I wasn’t prepared for all this.’ Her hand reached out in front of her. ‘The ocean on your doorstep and a huge sandy beach, it’s simply gorgeous.’
‘We are so blessed, yes,’ said Kelly slipping up beside her. ‘The surf here is great, and the sand, just so soft on the feet. And you wait until this evening. You will find it hard to beat the sunsets we have here. And I mean here. Right out on deck. It’s pretty romantic.’
‘Oh, I can’t wait. I’m a real sucker for a romantic sunset. Isn’t that right, Cal?’
Cal popped her a glance and a nod as he perched next to Thierry.
‘Well, that’s not all, the harbour and marina are not far away. You’ll enjoy it here, I guarantee it. There’s not too many people around this time of year either, hence the house being available.’
‘Yes, I was saying to Cal last night. I hope you will accept a payment from us, or me at least?’
Kelly flicked her long hair back. ‘Oh, honey, no, I couldn’t. I’m only too pleased that Jack has his father here, and Thierry. It’s an ideal distraction. I’m hoping,’ Kelly leant towards Lizzie hushing her voice, ‘Jack will go to the pool with Thierry. It will be a step forward, well, in respect of, you know, being in a public place with the possibility of bumping into people. It could increase his confidence couldn’t it?’
‘Oh, absolutely,’ Lizzie agreed. ‘I wouldn’t mention it to Thierry unless Jack is comfortable with it though. He’ll not let go once he gets wind of something.’
Kelly twisted her mouth, fixing her eyes on the vast blue of the sky and ocean. ‘Yes, I’m gonna see how Jack gets on in the next few days. Anyway, you must have something to eat before you go for your walk,’ she insisted.
Lizzie smiled as she turned to Cal. ‘Yes. Good thinking. Oh, what was the choice?’
The walk was everything Kelly had promised, glorious. A chilly breeze swept over the sand but it was great to feel the wind in her hair and the sun on her skin. Lizzie removed her shoes and let her feet sink into the soft sand on the shore as the waves bashed away repeatedly and mesmerisingly. Walking hand in hand with a barefoot Cal, his jeans rolled up, was refreshingly liberating, and dead romantic. Lizzie imagined she could almost be on a film set advertising the perfect getaway. And the boys, running and splashing on the edge of the water with their trousers also rolled up, was so endearing to watch. However British it appeared! Jack was obviously adept at keeping his younger siblings amused and was just so relaxed with her son. He had a particular knack for inventing games so Thierry was really chuckling away and having fun.
As Cal lightly squeezed her hand, she sought his eyes, watching his tousled hair rush and tumble in the breeze.
‘It’s beautiful isn’t it?’
‘Fabulous,’ she agreed.
‘I can’t believe we’ve been stuck in Jack’s room all week when we could have enjoyed all this.’
‘Probably not so romantic with Jack, but yes. If he’s come this far, maybe he will venture out more now.’ Lizzie’s twirled her arm around capturing the breeze.
‘Yes, perhaps we’re being over-protective. Oh God, who knows? How are you supposed to know what the best thing is for your child?’ Cal kicked the sand with his bare foot. ‘It’s difficult as hell. Unfortunately, I’ve not been around on a daily basis like a real parent. Mind you, neither has Reuben. I wouldn’t have thought either of us know him as well as Kelly.’
‘You can’t, surely. I’m sure my mum thought she was doing the right thing, but I construed it as overbearing and domineering.’ Lizzie peered round again at the boys. ‘I hope our relationship is much closer so we are more involved in each other’s lives and the children’s. I don’t want to be one of those mothers to just tell my son what he should do, but rather, guide.
‘Mmm. I do wonder if Kelly tries to overpower him. The way he tried to avoid her when I first arrived makes me think he’s clamouring for some peace, or space.’
Lizzie wanted to shout
Hell yes that woman is controlling!
There were so many similarities to her own mother. Even the last twelve or so hours Lizzie had felt constricted. Kelly was practically running the beach house as a guest house rather than letting it. As much as she appreciated her welcoming them, she didn’t expect her to be here with them all day today and do every activity with them. Then, Lizzie feared she was being a little harsh. It was Kelly’s son who was going through the trauma, and the reason why they were here. Maybe it was just her way of feeling useful in a crisis.
‘I suppose it’s hard to get a balance sometimes, and possibly it depends on the child and the dynamics of the relationship. I don’t think many teenagers talk to their parents about their problems. I know I didn’t,’ Lizzie laughed, ‘as you know.’
‘No. I didn’t share much with my parents, although Mum was, and is, a good listener. She would never have forced me to do anything I wasn’t happy doing.’ Cal flicked a mass of thick tresses from his face.
‘And, I suppose, what’s happened with Jack is extreme. Kelly didn’t have any idea and even if she did, what could she have done different?’
‘We can only do our best.’ Cal took her arm and twisted her round to face him, embracing her, knocking her off balance then, grabbing her waist, found her lips. Lizzie responded like a magnet instantly succumbing to its force. Blood rushed to her loins. It was so good to be wrapped again in his arms and kiss those lips. She truly felt she belonged to him and this blissful state was the crescendo of a long and beautiful symphony she could play time and time again. She and Cal and their little family. Quite possibly making more little additions to their family. She wished she could picture them all in their new home.
As if reading her thoughts as they prised themselves apart, Cal slipped his hand back into hers and said, ‘Maybe one day, when we make that old wreck of a house liveable, Jack can come and live with us.’
She glistened a smile knowing how much that would mean to him. Although, as a mother, she doubted he realised how much Kelly would abhor that idea. She would have to face it though if Jack was making plans. It could be a reality soon. She shuddered at the thought of Thierry leaving her one day.
By nine thirty the following day, they were at the car ready to leave to tour the island. Jack was holding Thierry’s turtle figure and climbing in as Lizzie secured Thierry in his seat. Cal was loading the back with coats and wellies. Kelly pulled up beside them and, appearing rather more made-up than yesterday, pulled out several grocery bags.
‘Good morning. Have you found the map? It’s behind Reuben’s chair.’
Cal nodded. ‘Yep.’
‘Good. I’ve brought you some fresh bread and milk, and I’ll prepare your dinner. I thought you’d enjoy a homemade chicken and ham pie.’
‘That’s very thoughtful, thank you,’ Cal told her. ‘I’m not sure what time we’ll be back though.’
‘Thank you, Kelly,’ Lizzie echoed.
‘Oh, no problem. You guys have a good day.’ Kelly dropped her bags and walked across to Jack. ‘How’s my boy this morning?’
‘Yes. All good, Mom. See you later then.’
‘Well, give your mom a squeeze.’ Kelly leant in and hugged Jack. ‘I love you, sweetheart. Have fun.’
Lizzie noted Jack shrug awkwardly as his mother shut the car door. Typical sixteen-year-old boy, she grinned to herself.
After a few hours of stopping off at beaches and lighthouses, they made a stop for lunch before heading for the whaling museum. Thierry couldn’t wait to see the giant skeleton of the sperm whale Jack had told him all about.
Whilst Thierry waited for his chicken nuggets and chips Lizzie pulled out some of his other figures from his small Superman rucksack. He began chatting to Jack about his super-heroes as he pulled out a Spider-Man, Superman and The Hulk.
‘They’re running,’ he motioned Superman to Jack.
Jack explained how many of them would run or fly to help people and save them. ‘They’re nice guys like my dad.’
‘Is Cal a super-hero?’ Thierry asked.
‘Yes, he’s my hero,’ Jack laughed.
‘Is my mummy a super-hero?’
‘Yes, she’s your super-hero. Wonder Woman maybe.’
‘Is your mummy Wonder Woman?’
‘No. She’s…’ Jack was suddenly aware that the adult ears and eyes were present. ‘Sometimes.’
‘Does your mummy fly?’
Lizzie started, aware her son was now embarrassing Jack. ‘Tell Jack how many super-heroes you have, Thierry? Count them. Ready, one, two…’
‘Three, four, five and Ironman. Mummy, where’s Ironman?’
‘In the bag, poppet, but look, here comes your lunch.’
After lunch Lizzie took Thierry out to the cloakroom.
Jack turned to his father. ‘He’s a really bright kid. Fun to be around. A shame they’re not staying longer.’
‘Yes,’ Cal smiled. ‘I’m glad you like each other.’
Leaning further in Jack said, ‘I can come to Europe. Dad, I’ll see more of you if I’m in London. I was talking to Robbie yesterday.’
Cal’s eyes narrowed. ‘I think we will have to sit down with your mom and work out a plan. My gut’s telling me it’s too soon for you to go to London.’
‘But Dad, I can stay with Robbie. Well, Robbie goes to LSE in the fall but his dad has already purchased an apartment.’
‘My point exactly. Robbie probably doesn’t even know for sure if he has a place at the LSE. He can’t know that yet. And besides, he’s put all the work in already to get his grades. This is the place we need to start at. Your mom and I will happily sit down with you so you can plan a path that’s right for you. If you’re still planning to be an architect, you’ve got to select the right courses and the best university colleges for you. Not Robbie. The best might be here or somewhere else in the UK.’
‘But I want to go to London. And soon. You know, I can finish the SATs there.’
‘Like I said before, get your SATs completed here and then we can help you decide.’
‘But, I don’t want to stay here… I need you here, Dad. I feel so much stronger with you here, I don’t want you to go. Not now. You’re a proper dad. Pops is rarely…’Jack paused. Thierry suddenly interrupted, rushing up to him holding up the action hero Spider-Man to his face. ‘Can we at least stay at the beach house when they go?’
Cal looked up as Lizzie snatched his heart just simply gliding back into her chair. He had the three people he loved and cared about right here before him, and it all appeared so perfect. What were Jack’s chances of securing his grades if he went to Europe? Jack certainly looked brighter and chirpier than last week but was it really all resting on him? Was he key here in determining his son’s emotive state and future? Was this really what fatherhood was all about? Making sacrifices? How would Lizzie react if he told her his son needed him more than her for at least the next few months? Would she accept it? Although he couldn’t bear the thought of being so far apart from her, Jack would have to take precedence. And he couldn’t expect Lizzie to stay here, May was her busiest month. It was tough on his new venture too, but, he told himself, he could hopefully weather some of that with Jes’s help. This however, would need some delicate handling.
He was ushered back to the table with Lizzie’s hand waving in his eyes. ‘Hello. Are we going to see this whale?’