by Karen Aldous
‘Lizzie, your phone is ringing.’ Marie-Claire picked up Lizzie’s phone from the worktop where it was charging.
‘Oh quick. Can you answer it? It might be Cal.’ Lizzie swung her legs off the sofa and leaped towards the kitchen.
‘Yes, it is Cal.’
Swopping roles, she took the phone whilst Marie-Claire took over the sofa.
Her heart warmed just hearing his voice echo down the phone. Marie-Claire whispered ‘Goodnight’ and pattered off to her room.
‘Lizzie. Hi. So sorry. I’ve been with, sorry, I’m with Jack. Just popped to the men’s room. How are you?’
‘Fine. Missing you of course and hope all is well with Jack?’
‘It’s slow, but making progress. I think!’
‘Well, I won’t keep you, I wanted to mention something. Two things as I don’t suppose you’ll be back for Friday to look around the house. And, I’d really prefer you were with us, so I’ll ask Jean-Luc and Annatia if they wouldn’t mind holding off until you get back. Is that OK?’
‘Yes. Absolutely, whatever you prefer. This may take a few more days,’ he said.
After the initial sinking, Lizzie warmed as she imagined the smile in his voice. ‘And, I’m not interfering. It’s just that your mother was in the salon earlier, and obviously I told her you’d flown out to Jack because he was upset. She mentioned Jack saying something to her about a girl being nasty to him. I thought it may be relevant. That’s all. She didn’t know any more.’
‘Oh shhh-it. I should have rung her. Did she get panicky?’
‘Concerned. I didn’t dramatise if that’s what you’re wondering.’
‘Mmm, OK. Thanks. It may be significant. I’d better get back. I’ll call you tomorrow.’ He paused. ‘I love you, Lizzie and, give Thierry a big hug from me.’
Lizzie would have preferred to sit and talk longer but Cal sounded occupied. Jack, it seemed, was still volatile. If only she could be there to help.
‘Cal, will it help if I came over? Business is manageable. Just a few days,’ she blurted. It wasn’t really the right time but she didn’t know how long she’d have to wait to speak to him again.
‘Give me the weekend and…actually, no. Having Thierry around might be just the tonic for Jack. I’ll sort somewhere for us to stay. I don’t really want to stay here. Maybe Jack could come and stay with us. Yes, why not? There’s no rush. Maybe early next week.’
‘I’ll sort out some travel for Tuesday or Wednesday and let you know. I’ll text you details. I’ll take Thierry back on the ferry this time. It will be more of an adventure for him.’
‘Great. All being well, I’ll come over to Boston and meet you.’
After saying their goodbyes, Lizzie’s heart wrenched as she picked up her coffee. He’d been gone just twenty-four hours but she really needed to hold him and snuggle into his chest. But then elation muscled in. It seemed a long way off, but she would be with him in less than a week and suddenly she wanted to dance. To see him and touch him, just to be there for him and support him was making her heart sing. Glancing momentarily at Thierry’s toys, she only hoped Jack would be in a better place emotionally.
She understood so well the traumas of being a teenager. God, she’d had her share. Having to suddenly face grown up problems she didn’t really understand or know how to deal with. Believing she was adult enough to make choices and decisions which she just wasn’t emotionally equipped to deal with. It was a very lonely place.
Sipping her drink which was now luke-warm, she recalled the torment and humiliation she’d suffered when her first love, Hugo, two-timed her during their relationship in her first year at university. It was excruciatingly painful. She’d imagined every student was sniggering and talking about her behind her back. She’d dreaded facing people for fear of ridicule. She couldn’t even trust her friends. She swore they must have hidden the truth from her or worse, lied to cover up. It was so embarrassing. How could she ever have trusted them again? And she couldn’t ever imagine trusting a man again, not after Hugo. She’d just wanted to curl up and die.
Instead, she’d hit on an alternative. Her defence mechanism was to flee. Just seven months into uni, she had taken flight to free herself from people she could no longer trust. Fortunately for Cal, Jack hadn’t run. He’d cried for help and Cal had acted immediately. He’d listened. That’s what a parent should do. Unlike her mother who was always quick to judge. Or so she imagined at the time. Nonetheless, she’d run, not just from Hugo, her friends and uni, but from her family. Her mother and grandfather. She didn’t even have the sense to tell someone; well, she’d posted a note to her mother from England before landing in France. She’d believed her mother would have been angry and shamed. Angry because she’d always said Hugo was no good and shamed because her daughter had failed her. Her promise of being a vet fell at the first hurdle. And then there was Anton. She downed the last mouthful from her mug.
She’d been so glitzed with Anton’s glamour when she’d arrived in Cannes. Thought herself so madly in love. Such a charmer and then, whoosh, she’d discovered yet another cheat. The worst playboy in Cannes in fact. And, unfortunately, a drugged-up control freak who could never have been a father to Thierry. Well thankfully, that was all in the past. Now, as a mother, it was impossible to conceive the notion that her child would disappear and not get in touch for five years. How did she never realise her own mother’s heartache? Thanks to Cal, in the last twelve months she’d grown up faster than ever, just by taking time to get to know her mother and find an amazing man she could trust.
‘Fuck,’ she burst out, crashing back to the moment. Cal at Kelly’s!
By ten o’clock the following morning at the office, Lizzie had looked up the flights. Most flew via London, so she rang her mother so she could make a visit on her return then booked her and Thierry’s flights to Boston. She was just reading through a few CVs Josephine had forwarded for the new male grooming section when a whoosh of energy flew into her room.
‘Good morning, Lizzie. I’ve some great news.’ A contagious smile spread across Sophie’s face. ‘I am going to Los Angeles on the eighth of April to meet Professor Eckhart and demonstrate my new procedure. They’ll also get the substance rigorously tested as fast as they can. Would you like to come with me?’
‘Oh wow, exciting!
‘It’s brilliant isn’t it? If it all tests OK, we’re going to patent it in as much of the world as we can.’
Lizzie jumped up and threw her arms around her friend. ‘You are amazing. I’m sure it will test fine. Ha! I know you too well – you’ll not have gone this far without checking everything a million times.’
‘Well, not quite that many but, yes, you know me well – due diligence is my middle name.’ Sophie pulled a face and then resumed her huge smile.
Lizzie felt rather gutted. She’d have loved to be there with Sophie and supporting her. This really wasn’t very good timing, just as she was about to tell her her own plans.
‘I’d love to come with you but I’ve just booked a trip to join Cal in Nantucket. I’m flying out to Boston on Tuesday for a week.’
Sophie’s smile dropped. ‘Oh, I was hoping…not to worry.’
A deflated breath escaped Lizzie before she had an idea. ‘Why don’t you ask Charles? You’ve both been working hard. You could make it a holiday.’
Sophie pursed her lips. ‘Hmm! If only I could prise him away from his desk! What are the chances of that?’
‘Oh, I’m sure you could sell it better. There’s bound to be sailing in Los Angeles.’
‘Ha! Brilliant. Good point.’ Sophie slipped her hands to her waist creating a pondering stance. ‘Mmm, yes. I’ll have a look. Oh, and Angus is going to come along on Saturday morning if that’s OK with you. I’m sure you’ll love him but be sure to tell me if you’re not convinced. He’s certainly a talented cosmetic and plastic surgeon.’
‘I look forward to meeting him. I hope you can convince Charles too. It would alleviate my
guilt.’
‘Why guilt? Don’t be. It would have been nice.’
Lizzie checked the time on her phone. She would have to leave soon to meet Thierry and Marie-Claire.
‘It would, but we’ll research the sailing when I get back. I’m just going to meet Marie-Claire and watch Thierry swim. I’ll be back in an hour or so.’
‘Aww, really? He loves the water doesn’t he? What a shame I have a treatment, I’d have come with you.’
Lizzie rushed along to Avenue de Benefiat to the pool where Marie-Claire and Thierry waited.
After changing, Thierry couldn’t wait to show off his new skill and he jumped up and down as he waited for the girls to get changed and deposit their clothes in the locker. Once they reached the water, Lizzie was surprised when Thierry just jumped in without warning. At once she followed in panic but Thierry’s small body popped back up and he immediately began splashing his arms and legs and swimming halfway across the pool.
‘Wow,’ Marie-Claire screamed with delight. ‘He really wants to show you.’
Lizzie caught his tired wet torso as he puffed and spluttered water from his mouth and nose. She knelt down, standing him against her thighs.
‘Well done, Thierry. I’ve got you but…’ She turned to his nanny now behind her. ‘Jesus, I can hardly breathe. He just went and I could hardly keep up with him. You’ll have to keep a really close eye on him. Phew. I wasn’t expecting that.’ She pinched his nose and wiped the mucus with her hand.
‘Yes, he is fearless. And, of course, I watch him close. With my life.’
Thierry began jumping up and down, ready to go again. Lizzie allowed him to jump and splash as she swirled him around. He laughed and giggled.
‘I want to swim again, Mummy.’
As Lizzie nodded, out of the corner of her eye she spotted a familiar figure being led by an older woman. It was Anton, Thierry’s father. The woman was instructing him to move his legs to walk in the water. Lizzie swallowed hard. It was difficult to believe he was still going through some basic rehabilitation. Her concern now however was to get out of the water and out of his sight. The last thing she wanted was for Marie-Claire to see him. And Thierry. She didn’t know if his father’s face and the attempt to abduct him still haunted his mind. She was sure it would still spook Marie-Claire. She knew she’d created a lot of damage soon after she’d struck him over the head with the champagne bottle six months ago. Seeing him now could bring another trauma on.
‘Marie-Claire, I’m so sorry. I feel extremely dizzy. Could we please go back to the changing room? Take Thierry please and turn and I’ll hold your shoulder in case I slip.’
‘Lizzie, oh yes, yes, of course.’ She took the boy in her arms and gripped his arms around her shoulder.
‘More swimming. I want to do more swimming, Mummy,’ Thierry protested, attracting more attention than Lizzie would have hoped.
‘Just ignore him, Marie-Claire. We’ll calm him down once we’re out,’ Lizzie told her as they climbed the pool steps and passed a parked wheelchair. She just prayed Anton wouldn’t spot them. ‘I’m right behind you and I’m OK. I’ll hold your shoulder. Keep walking.’
Marie-Claire did as she was told and did her best to control the wriggling, wailing Thierry as she led Lizzie through to the changing room.
Lizzie continued her faking performance for as long as necessary as they changed and made their way out of the building, which seemed cruel to Marie-Claire trying to console the teary Thierry and, once clear of the building, sped up her pace as they walked back to her apartment.
‘Oh, so sorry. I feel a little better now though. I’m really sorry, Thierry darling. We’ll go again another day. Mummy felt very sick and you wouldn’t like Mummy to be sick in the pool would you?’
When Lizzie got back to the office, she dashed to the cloakroom to tidy her hair and face. The mirror confirmed her inner state. She took out her make-up bag and rubbed in some moisturiser before adding her usual light foundation and blusher to her cheeks. After brushing her hair, she waltzed with some relief to Sophie’s consulting room. As she stepped into the doorway, she stopped as a tall male figure stood by her friend’s desk.
‘Oh, I’ll come back later, Soph.’
Sophie jumped up and called out, ‘No. Lizzie, come back. Your timing is good actually. Come in and meet Angus.’
Lizzie gripped the doorframe for a few seconds. ‘Angus. Oh, you’re Sophie’s colleague, er, associate?’ She peered directly at the tall figure holding out a hand and glaring at her with bright, cornflower-blue eyes and golden hair. ‘Very nice to meet you.’ She shook his hand.
‘Yes, well, we both lecture at the same college part-time. I was also practising in Belgium before I decided I needed a change so until I sort out where I want to put down roots, I’m at your disposal, ladies.’
Lizzie was immediately captivated by his Scottish accent. ‘Well, I’ve heard good things about you from Sophie whom I trust with my life.’
He threw out a warm smile which dimpled the sides of his mouth and a few laughter lines creased his eyes. Lizzie guessed he was close to his mid-thirties, a similar age to Cal and, she considered, good looking as well as, on first impression, charming.
‘Why don’t we sit down? My next client is not for twenty minutes,’ Sophie said pulling over another chair for them both and sitting back at her desk.
Angus pinched up his trousers at his knees before he sat. ‘I’m only too pleased to help out. The money, of course, always comes in handy. Actually, I was shopping and couldn’t resist popping in. It caught my eye, and Sophie just gave me a quick tour. It’s quite a set up you have here. Very impressive in fact. Sophie says you set up a few years ago in the beauty industry?’
Lizzie relayed some history of her buying the business about four years ago when Thierry was born and how luck and support from her best friend had secured her future.
‘That’s admirable. Shrewd too.’
‘More of a necessity really,’ she told him, trying to hide her blush. ‘Tell me more about what you’ve done?’ she asked, crossing her legs.
Both she and Sophie listened as he clarified his original Edinburgh accent and revealed his study background from Glasgow University to Europe, to America, Canada, Australia and back to Europe. Sophie had heard it all before, it seemed, but Lizzie was impressed that he’d done so much work reconstructing breast cancer patients as well as working in many cosmetic clinics with various procedures and support staff.
‘Well, we’re strictly day cases but you will have assistants,’ Lizzie said, comfortable that he sounded more than capable. ‘So feel free to come back Saturday with any further questions or to get more familiar with the place and the staff.’
Sophie smiled. ‘Good idea. The staff and consultants here are fantastic. And you’ll love Josephine, the Manager who you met. Oh but now I’m repeating myself.’
Angus chuckled. ‘That’s great, I love the enthusiasm.’
‘You’ll love Betty the cleaner too. She’s such a sweetie. And we may even have some male groomers by April too. A little expansion programme we’re doing.’
‘Yes. It’s pretty much an all-female institution at the moment,’ Sophie added.
As soon as Angus left reception, Sophie asked, ‘Well?’
Lizzie smiled. ‘Good choice, Sophie. He seems to have loads of experience. Very presentable, charming, so I’ll take your word he can do the job. It will be interesting to see how our clients respond. Eye candy for the ladies.’
Sophie’s arm wrapped over Lizzie’s shoulder. ‘I knew you would like him. Excellent.’
‘Yes, he’s very nice. Is he married?’
Chapter 6
After settling back in the tiny loft, Cal’s breathing quickened as his son peered up to him. Was Jack assessing his trust? He could wait. As hard as it was not to speak, he wanted the boy’s version. What he’d learned from Lizzie was just hearsay as far as he was concerned. He wanted the facts. The nuts and bolts of the
grief Jack had built inside him. He wanted him to deconstruct it piece by piece to him and replace it by building trust. Jack had spent his life wrapped in cotton wool. He’d never wanted for anything, nor anyone as far as he was aware. He’d had family and friends within a close community to watch out for him and provide for every need. He was a bright, athletic boy who was more than capable at anything he put his mind to. What the hell was troubling him? Cal scratched his head.
Jack licked his lips repeatedly, his eyes now peering down to a wooden rafter.
‘It’s difficult, Dad. You wouldn’t understand.’
‘I want to listen and understand. That’s why I’m here,’ Cal said, wishing he was in a position to wrap his arm around him and hold his son to make him feel safe. ‘It’s just between you and me. No one else will know. Trust me.’
‘It’s embarrassing though. I don’t know if I can explain.’
‘It’s me you’re talking to.’
Jack shifted his body forward and took a deep breath. ‘Well, it started with this girl Jessica Lawrence. She’s fourteen. She kept hanging around me for ages with her sister Samantha who is my grade. It started as a bit of fun, we’d tease her a bit but when we went to a party just before Christmas she brought along her friend Chloe. Her friend was nothing like her, you know, Dad, she was really hot, much more mature and I really liked her. I still like her.’
Cal nodded. ‘And then?’ he prompted with inner relief his son was opening up.
Jack licked his lips again and let out a sigh. ‘Well, obviously I knew this Jessica was on my case. Oh God, she’d bugged me all the time ringing me and texting me and, wherever I went, she was there. It was a joke. I even told her to get a life. It stopped being funny. She was annoying but I couldn’t get rid of her.
