by Karen Aldous
Pinching her chin, Caroline forced a smile. ‘It would be amazing, but…’
‘But, even if she did survive, how many people live until they’re seventy-five?’ Michael added. ‘You’re setting yourselves up for a fall.’
Lizzie thought for a moment. ‘I would like Mum to know either way; for her own peace of mind. And, me, because I could have cousins, or second cousins. There is a record somewhere, either death or adoption, and I’m going to find it.’
‘OK. Let’s do this. Here’s the pile for any relevant information we might need.’ Caroline began with a fierce determination and started a separate pile at her end of the table. She glanced at Lizzie. ‘You go and shower, Michael and I will get some organisation going.’
Lizzie’s head was buzzing as she showered but she was now feeling wide awake and eager to begin the search. She could barely eat a thing as she sat down to her salad. But, after they’d had their dinner and Lizzie had bathed Thierry, Caroline insisted she read to him and put him to bed. Lizzie sat at her laptop at the kitchen table and began her research. She began with Dickie’s family name. Lesson one, she needed to get to grips with some of the ancestor sites. She noted anything she could find including an address in Essex listed on the electoral role. There was a chance someone may be there. She decided to list every orphanage, convent, mother’s home and adoption agency she could find that was within a three mile radius adding emails and telephone numbers. Many from the era were now closed, knocked down or converted buildings, but noted for further reference. Caroline, now back down from her grandmother duties, and Michael sifted through the paperwork again offering as much information as they could. It was nearly eleven before Lizzie had what she thought was a good initial list. She would compose a pro-forma tomorrow and email as many as she could in the hope they may direct them in some way. Or, by some miracle, come up with something. It was likely Annie’s name had changed.
Lizzie spent the next day sending emails and exploring more possibilities of Annie’s whereabouts, registry offices, town halls, parish churches, whilst Thierry spent time with his gran. The hours whizzed away but she was thankful she didn’t have too much time to dwell on Cal, and it felt good for her to have discovered so much about her heritage, even a heirloom which meant so much. Even if they reached a dead end, she would know that she’d tried, for everyone’s sake.
Lizzie entered her apartment and threw down her keys and bags then eased Thierry’s hand from his travel trolley. It was great to be away but there was always that familiar comfort of home when you returned. And the apartment did look invitingly clean and fresh with the doors pulled back and a cool breeze circulating. Marie-Claire appeared from the terrace to greet them looking heavy-eyed like she’d been asleep. It was beautifully mild outside so Lizzie couldn’t blame her. It was nearly April.
‘It has been very quiet here, welcome home,’ Marie-Claire gave Lizzie a quick hug and peck on both her cheeks before immediately squatting down and swallowing Thierry with her arms. ‘I’ve missed you, my little superhero. Did you have a lovely time?’
Lizzie left them to catch up and, hanging up her now overly-warm coat, she headed straight for the kitchen and filled the kettle.
‘Here, let me make you a drink,’ said Marie-Claire. ‘You sit outside and catch some sun before it goes down.’
‘No, you and Thierry have a lot to chat about. He’ll tell you all about his trips on the boat and the Whaling Museum and the beaches, and Jack, Cal and his gran. You’ll be exhausted in an hour. What would you like to drink?’
‘I’ll have some water, thank you,’ Thierry’s nanny said and sat on the sofa pulling him up on her lap as he chatted.
Sipping her tea on the terrace with the warmth from the sun hitting her cheeks, Lizzie let her eyes drop as she reflected on the last two weeks. Although progress with Jack was slow, she was confident Cal would get him through and could at least look forward to them returning to Cannes in a couple of weeks. Her mind wandered to them all being able to make the first visit together to Cal’s new vineyard and villa. He’d waited so long after a dispute with the freehold had held up the sale. He really deserved to begin living his dream. It was so good of his friend Jes to help getting the vines sprayed and to deal with the new rootstock he’d ordered.
Her thoughts turned to Michael and just how well he’d soon got to grips with the role he’d taken over from Cal. She was sure Cal had gifted everything back to her mother. All the vines he’d planted, the new winery. It seemed madness when she thought of all the love and labour he’d put into it, not to mention the finances. Maybe she would ask him one day. As she relaxed, and her mind drifted, she wondered what her father and grandfather would make of the changes on their farm. And what they would think of Cal. It seemed so long ago now since her father’s death; fourteen years. How sad he never got to meet his grandchild. How sad she’d never got to ask him more about himself. She knew he loved the farm and the animals but there were things about him she was never old enough to discover, she being twelve when he died.
Her mother must have suffered far more than she’d ever realised. When she’d assumed her mother was cold and heartless, but then, discovering it was her way of dealing with it, made her much more human. How glad she was now they’d managed to bond and put the past behind them. Lizzie smiled. She would love to find out what happened to her mother’s missing cousin. It would be even more amazing to find, after all these years, she had family after all.
Lizzie must have dropped off. She heard Thierry calling but her eyes were struggling to open and she could barely bring herself to consciousness.
‘Mummy, Sophie’s here. Mummy, Mummy,’ Thierry repeated then pulled her arm.
‘Hey, sleepyhead. You’ll get cold out here.’ Sophie’s voice filtered through and then Thierry climbed on her lap and dived onto her stomach.
‘Mummy, sleepyhead,’ he shouted finally waking her.
‘Ah, ouch, Thierry Lambert, you are getting heavy.’
‘A long day, sweet?’ Sophie rubbed Lizzie’s shoulders. ‘Come on in. Marie-Claire’s making you a nice hot cup of tea. I see you brought a supply back with you.’
Lizzie grabbed Thierry and stood heaving his heavy weight onto her hip. ‘Yes. Hi, sorry, not quite firing on all cylinders, how are you?’ She forced out a cheery smile greeting her friend.
‘I’m good. Thought I’d pop in for a quick catch-up as I’m collecting a pizza and going to see Charles for a couple of hours. So, come, do tell me what you two have been up to.’
Sophie was soon on the floor playing cars with Thierry as Lizzie revealed all about their trips. Marie-Claire then called him for his tea and Lizzie marched to the fridge for a bottle of wine and grabbed the corkscrew.
‘So, a mission now to find your mum’s aunt. Sounds exciting but, yes, a real problem particularly if her name has changed,’ Sophie said.
‘Well, I’m hoping the letter I sent to Dickie’s family finds its way and I hear something, however small. Failing that, I really have no idea where to start. I’ve emailed so many people. I do need to check my emails though. I haven’t checked since last night.’
‘Gosh, I wouldn’t have a clue either. You may have to employ Inspector Clouseau for this one!’
Lizzie took two glasses from the cabinet and poured the cool white wine. She passed one to Sophie. ‘Well, we’ll see what happens and keep fingers crossed.’
‘Just what I need, thanks,’ Sophie said taking a large gulp. ‘Oh, don’t mind me, check your email. There might be something back already.’
Lizzie took a swig and then placed her glass down before dashing to her room. Taking the laptop from her bag, she placed it on the coffee table and started it up.
‘So, what about you. What’s new in your life?’
Sophie twisted her mouth and peered momentarily at the ceiling. ‘Oh, not new, the usual, Charles is working, I’m working. I’ve got some tentative dates for the US. Oh, yes. That should be the fourth of April by
the way. The meeting is not until the tenth but as its Easter, it was the best time I could drag Charles away from his case files. So we’ll have a break first, unwind a bit hopefully.’
‘Oh exciting, you’re a genius. That could be huge! But the break will do you both good. You’d better not mention to Charles Cal will be back for Easter.’
‘No, best not. Hopefully we’ll catch him before he takes Jack back.’
Lizzie scratched her temple. ‘Yes.’
‘And he’s sure to come back after a few days, once Jack is settled.’
Lizzie opened her email. ‘I hope so. Jack seems OK in himself, it’s just getting him back to school I think is now…oh,’ she bounced in her chair, ‘oh, I think we have something.’ Lizzie’s eyes scanned the screen. ‘Oh, oh, Jesus. No. This is from Dickie’s niece, she says de da… Sorry, we cannot help, we don’t have any information.’
Lizzie glared at the screen, her eyes dulling by the second.
Sophie jumped round to her side and cradled her. ‘You can’t embark on something like this and expect too much, Liz. Something like this takes time. You may never know the truth but, you can’t get emotionally involved, certainly not at this stage. I’m not suggesting give up. It just won’t be easy. So, let me get this straight. All you know is she doesn’t have a death certificate. You may have to prepare yourself. If his family didn’t know, it’s unlikely she survived. Hopefully, she was taken home by someone and passed to the authorities where she was cared for, or they were genuinely unable to trace her mother or family which may mean her death may never have been recorded in her name.’
Lizzie scrunched her face, not wishing to face a painful reality. ‘Jesus, yes possibly. Brrr. Yes. You’re right. There are so many possibilities. I need to find someone who has done this before,’ she said rubbing Sophie’s arm. ‘Oh, Dr Pitou, you always add another dimension. Keep my feet on the ground.’
Sophie whirled round and scooted back to her chair, picking up her wine. ‘I would find an individual or organisation to help. The Red Cross or the Salvation Army.’
‘Well, that’s the problem. I’ve emailed them but, of course, if she was found with no identity, being only six months old, dead or alive, in reality, if her family hadn’t even known, her name was certainly changed.’
‘Yes but there could be new birth registrations in that area soon after the bombing that could be worth following up. Oh, I’m not helpful.’
Lizzie raised her eyebrows. ‘Mmm. I should find an expert.’ Lizzie added decisively. ‘I’d like to do it for Mum. Anyway, let’s change the subject. Is Angus still starting next week?’
‘Oh, yes. He’s really looking forward to it.’
‘Good. So he’ll do the same hours as you?’
‘Yes.’
‘Fab. He’ll be a hit with those looks and that Edinburgh accent.’
Sophie clutched her chin ‘Now, there’s a point, I think he was adopted, maybe he knows the procedure.’
‘Really? Maybe if I get to know him better. Please don’t ask. That’s too personal.’
‘No, of course I wouldn’t.’ Sophie let out a light snigger. ‘I remember asking him a little while ago if he was living with anyone, I think we were talking about Charles and I moving in together or something, but he rattled with amusement. I think he thought I was rather forward, maybe coming on to him, who knows? But he said he was surrounded by females at home and couldn’t wait to escape them so he was in no rush.’
‘Oh, single too, that will have the ladies flocking in. Bye, Soph!’
‘Ha bloody ha, Lizzie Lambert. No chance. Anyway, I had better go and get this pizza.’ Sophie took her empty wine glass to the kitchen.
‘Oh, Sophie, before you go,’ Lizzie stood pulling down her figure-hugging top. ‘Can I ask you something?’
‘Sure, fire.’
‘It’s about Cal and, Kelly. Well, you know I said she was at the beach house every day?’ Lizzie watched her friend give a nod. ‘Well, knowing it is an ex of Cal’s and that they’re spending so much time together…’
‘Oh, I think I know where you’re going with this.’ Sophie leant against the kitchen counter tapping her hand on the surface. ‘I really don’t know what she’s like but I suspect I wouldn’t be comfortable with it either. I would trust Cal though. I think he thinks the world of you and I don’t think he would jeopardise that. He has Jack to worry about. I doubt very much if he would want complication. He needs your support at the moment Lizzie. He needs you to be strong.’
‘Yes, oh, I’m being stupid.’
‘I’m sure it’s difficult. But why would she jeopardise her own family? Even with Reuben working away so much, it hasn’t broken up their relationship. So I don’t think you should worry. Cal will be home soon anyway.’
Picking at a piece of fluff on her top, Lizzie couldn’t hide her embarrassment. ‘I know, it sounds so immature, but I’m so scared. I find it so hard to trust, well, since Hugo and Anton gave me every reason not to. I feel I’ve opened my heart up to Cal and it will get broken again. It’s like I’m building a defence mechanism around me, just in case.’
‘But no one can guarantee the love of their life is going to be faithful. It’s a leap of faith we have to take.’
‘I understand that but,’ Lizzie sighed, ‘I can’t help it. I didn’t mention this before but she does fuss over him, and she’s very familiar with him, always going beyond the call of duty to do everything for him. It unnerves me. And she makes herself up each morning like she’s off to one of her charity functions. She’s an attractive woman. And,’ a nervous laugh unleashed from Lizzie’s concerned expression, ‘when Jack’s with his tutor, they’re alone in the rest of the house.’
Sophie threw out her arms. ‘Let me give you a hug. I can only reassure you, sweet.’ She squeezed her. ‘I don’t think Cal will let her hurt him again. My advice is don’t think about it. Trust him, otherwise you’ll get in such a jealous state, you’ll go into self-destruct mode.’
Lizzie recognised herself immediately.
Chapter 14
Cal stopped the car and instructed Jack to unload the back as he strolled across to the bustling shoppers and vendors of Marché Gambetta. On his return, he unlocked the door and asked Jack to begin putting the bags in the lift whilst he parked.
Lizzie was soon at the door as he entered his key, closely followed by Thierry. Cal felt his heart lurch as both were soon wrapped up in his arms. It was the best feeling in his life. Home and a family. Thierry then raced to Jack who was waiting in the wings with a huge spray of spring flowers.
Cal peered round and, seeing Jack crouch down to Thierry, grabbed the flowers before they got crushed.
‘Whoa, these are for you,’ he said to Lizzie, ‘but, first,’ he pulled her close whilst resting the flowers on the hall table, ‘I need this.’ His arms gripped tightly around her just before his lips pressed onto her irresistible mouth. Staying in control, he kissed her ear. ‘You smell delicious,’ he said as her familiar fragrance curled up his nose.
‘You smell good too,’ she said softly, her fingers clinging to his shirt. ‘I’ve missed you so much,’ she whispered.
The love in her eyes stayed imprinted in his brain as he stepped back.
‘Here, these are from Jack too,’ he told her flicking his eyes to the cellophane-wrapped flowers and passing her the colourful spray.
She reached up and pecked him on the lips. ‘They’re beautiful. My favourites,’ she said.
He watched in admiration as she bent her head to inhale the fresh scent of the creamy-white double narcissi expertly woven with iris, white tulips and pinks.
‘Such a perfect choice, thank you.’ She pecked him again and her hand slid down and squeezed his buttock. ‘That’s for you.’ Lizzie turned and faced the boys.
Cal was almost tempted to pull her back again but told himself to wait.
‘Jack. Welcome to Cannes.’ Lizzie greeted his son with open arms. ‘I’m afraid this apartment
is smaller than you’re used to.’
‘It looks great. Quite a vibe around here. Can’t wait to explore and try out my French,’ he told her blushing at the kiss he received on the other cheek. Thierry tugged at his hand.
‘Thierry, no, that’s rude. Jack is talking,’ Lizzie told him in her teacher tone.
‘Please can you come, Jack?’ Thierry took his hand and led him across to his toy corner where his figures stood on a long oak chest.
‘Good boy.’ Lizzie glanced at Cal shaking her head.
Cal chuckled and continued to fetch the bags which were still outside the door. His little helper was now otherwise engaged and being grouped with Thierry’s superheroes.
Lizzie introduced Jack to Marie-Claire, catching her just before her exit to meet her boyfriend.
‘He is as handsome as his father,’ Marie-Claire said brushing her lips to his cheeks too while Cal observed his awkward blush.
During their late lunch, they all nodded in agreement when Cal suggested, as it was a bright afternoon, they take a walk to show Jack the town. Although Jack had visited his gran in Villefranche-sur-Mer, he couldn’t remember Cannes.
As they strolled towards the sea, Cal noticed Jack give a yawn, but was pleased to see him laughing with Thierry and beginning to relax. Getting away from Nantucket would do him good. He was able to walk around without feeling shame. His stature was already improving which was much more like the Jack he knew. And his little side-kick Thierry wasn’t going to let him out of his sight.
Cal squeezed Lizzie’s hand. ‘Shall we just walk along past the salon, show it to Jack?’
‘Oh, but I didn’t bring my work keys.’
‘That’s OK, we’ll just show him where it is. We can take him inside another day.’
‘Yes, why not?’
They led him along Rue d’Antibes. Cal observed Jack who was looking around him at all the shops. And, as they got to the double-fronted salon, Cal could tell he was wowed by the size and quality. His eyes widened.
