by Karen Aldous
‘Yeah, cool. Can’t wait to start my French course next week. Marie-Claire has been teaching me quite a bit.’
‘Good. You’ll get more enjoyment from living here once you know the lingo. Anyway, do you think you can move those items into one of the spare bedrooms today? I want to get that outbuilding bulldozed.’
‘Yeah, sure. So, if he doesn’t want them, does that mean we can do what we want with them? I mean, can we sell them?’
‘As far as he’s concerned, dispose as you see fit, but I should warn you, they could be stolen.’
Jack sucked in his cheeks and rubbed the back of his head. ‘OK. Well, I’ll get it all in and sort it from there. Are we back here tonight?’
Taking a sip of tea, Cal thought for a moment. Good question. ‘Yes. We’ll book in for tonight. I’ll find out today if there’s any chance of moving into the house just yet. We could get by with the loo and shower, but it will be at least a week before that kitchen is finished.’
‘I prefer to be in town. I’m going to be here every day going to class.’
Placing his elbow on the table, Cal swept his hand through his hair. Lizzie’s apartment would certainly be his last option. ‘Yes. I’m aware of that. I’m trying to think of a way. We were pretty lucky to get this place with the film festival on at the moment.’
Jack let out a laugh looking around him. ‘I don’t think it has that sort of appeal somehow.’
‘Lucky for us. Anyway, eat up, let’s get going. I need to work on the vines today.’
As he drove, Cal thought long and hard about a solution for Jack. He’d completely overlooked the fact that Jack couldn’t drive and maybe taken it for granted that Lizzie’s apartment was so central. He couldn’t leave his son living on his own. He would have to find something temporary. He would have a chat with Charles. Maybe they could rent his apartment for a while. Buying anything decent wasn’t really an option with the prices so high in Cannes. That would seriously eat into his renovation funds. What was bizarre, he found, even after his night’s sleep, was the way he felt. He had no inclination to rush to Lizzie to patch things up. It wasn’t just because she would be busy, it was more to do with her self-indulgent suspicions and the total disregard for his problems. The fact that she knew exactly how much pressure he was going through with Jack and yet, she hadn’t put that into her little equation. The hostility she’d shown reminded him of their very first meetings when she’d held such contempt for her mother. Her refusal to listen was evidence she still had trust issues, her view was blinkered and he thought she had overcome that, so it was reasonable, he figured, that he should have expected more.
Cal turned the car onto the track towards Domaine Margot. As soon as he leaped from the car, Jack found a wheelbarrow and wheeled it over fresh landscaping and straight to the outbuilding. Cal stood for a while to take in the scene and instead of a satisfied smile, reached for his aching chest, splaying his hand out as though he was sealing up the tear in his heart. What was the point of all this without her? Jean-Luc close by on site with his phone attached to his ear. Cal waved and tramped across to the house. Annatia was in the now spanned living area leaning over an old table, extracting information from her drawings. The kitchen fitters had already begun building the cabinet framework to the wall and Cal stood and observed: two appliances, the large main stove was being wired in, and the dishwasher installed into its housing.
‘Yes, going to plan,’ Annatia said siding up to him. She pointed to the newly painted ceiling. ‘Electrics all in, they’ll put the holes and light fittings in once they’ve put these in.’
Cal gave an approving nod. ‘I can’t believe how well organised you two are. You and Jean-Luc I mean.’
‘Thank you. Lizzie said the same when we did the salon. How is she?’
His eyes widened. ‘Highly stressed with the salon. Sadly, we’ve fallen out. I wanted to ask you actually, how soon you think it will be before all this is operational. To move in here.’
Annatia’s face curled in sympathy. ‘Oh, just a week for the kitchen and I can get the other bedroom painted. The main is almost fitted, but I’m sorry to hear that, Cal. You were so happy. She was so looking forward to seeing this place completed. I saw her last week at the salon. She looks terribly thin. I wondered if she was well. She said she was fine but…’
‘Mmm, I don’t know why but yes, she has lost a lot of weight. I think she’s been working too hard.’
‘Gosh, yes, the salon was very busy when I went in. Poor thing. Well, I expect she has at least another week or so before it quietens down.’
Cal bit his lip. ‘So did Lizzie mention anything to you that she was struggling or anything?’
‘No. But it’s not her style. She’s too much like me. She wouldn’t tell you if she was.’
Cal changed his stance. Placing both hands on his hips and looking thoughtful, he replied, ‘No, of course. We’re programmed to bottle it up.’ Cal turned as he heard fast footsteps approaching.
‘Dad, look at this.’ Jack ran in with an odd-looking silver dish in his hand. ‘I’ve just Googled it and it could be worth a bit.’
‘Wow, where did you get that?’ Annatia said with interest.
‘There’s loads of stuff left here. This is one of them.’
Cal took hold of the item and gave it closer inspection. ‘Not my cup of tea but it would be interesting to have some of the items valued. Maybe we’ll take it down to the auctioneers.’
‘Yes, most certainly, don’t throw that away,’ Annatia urged.
‘Of course, you would probably have some knowledge of antiques, being in interiors,’ Cal said.
‘I studied it as part of my course and, of course, get to select items for my clients, so generally, I like to keep an eye out for interesting pieces. That, I believe, is a rare item. Be very careful you don’t damage it.’
‘No, I will look after it.’
‘If you want to have a look, Annatia?’ Cal’s arm stretched out towards the hall.
Jack’s voice rang with excitement. ‘Yes. I’ve Googled a few things already which are quite interesting.’
They scrambled across to an empty bedroom situated off the hall to the side of the house. Jack had begun to unwrap several items which now stood on a sparsely-painted wooden floor.
‘And this guy left them here? Is he insane?’
Cal bent down to pick up a carriage clock. ‘Well, I need to find out why it’s here. It could have been stolen and hidden here.’
Annatia’s eyes scanned the pieces. ‘These are quality pieces. Maybe there’s a reward. I think it’s fair if you have taken the time and effort. There are sites which show stolen items.’
‘Well, Thierry is entitled to a share too. He was the one who discovered it.’ Jack gave a snort. ‘He found the teddy, do you remember? He walked out of the building with the teddy and told me and I went back in with him.’
‘Yes, he did. Well, one step at a time. It might be easier to call the police or an auctioneer in.’
‘Ha! You will keep him busy. I love these.’ Annatia picked up a carriage and mantel clock. ‘And, that soup tureen, it is exquisite.’
As they unwrapped the items, it became clear that this collection was certainly above par. So many which, according to Annatia, appeared of significant value.
‘So are we talking hundreds, thousands, millions?’ Cal asked.
‘Dad, look.’
Cal’s eyes almost popped their sockets as he took a closer look at the internet picture on Jack’s phone. The antique in the photograph resembled the one Annatia was now admiring. His skin paled as he clocked the millions of euros. ‘Jeez.’
‘Dad, I can’t believe Giroux never saw these.’
Cal pushed his fist into Jack’s arm in a mock punch. ‘For your sake, I’m glad he didn’t if there’s a reward. One thing’s for sure. I don’t have this lot insured. I’d better call the auctioneer. He’ll know what to do.’
‘I think I’d better put my
fees up,’ Annatia chuckled.
Jack punched the air in elation and jumped, swinging his arms and then tucking his hands in his armpits, a huge grin beaming across his face. ‘Awesome, I reckon little Thierry will learn to count real quick.’
Chapter 29
It had been almost a week since Cal had walked out, and he hadn’t got in touch. Was that a sign of his guilt, or had she got everything so completely wrong? Lizzie had learned from Sophie that he and Jack had managed to squeeze into a room at Charles’s flat which was still accommodating make-up artists. She felt dreadful throwing them out and knowing Domaine Margot still wasn’t habitable. She’d never felt so miserable and tired, she still had three more days to get through, and then, quite possibly each and every one of them at the salon were likely to drop; every day had been exhausting. She hadn’t been as prepared as she’d hoped. It was the clients who messed up the schedules but the consultants who suffered. As much as she and Josephine tried to remedy the slot times, the complaints were now coming in thick and fast. Lateness, rushed jobs and rudeness, mainly because tempers were fraying. Luckily, it didn’t affect Sophie’s clinical side of the business but she would definitely need to have a rethink on the beauty.
As she and Josephine managed the schedules that morning, Lizzie, feeling like a truck had run headlong into her face, leant across the reception counter and spoke in a low voice.
‘OK. I think next year we will only book in appointments with payment up front and, if they miss the slot, it’s the client’s loss. This is ridiculous. We can’t be everything to everybody. It just isn’t fair to the consultants. Not at this pace.’
Josephine offered a sympathetic smile. ‘That’s a great idea, Lizzie. Even if we get more girls in, at least you can spread them out. For the sake of losing a few bookings, we should run much more smoothly and our professionalism will be maintained.’
‘Yes, that’s what worries me. I know some of the clients aren’t happy but, overall, it could have been much worse had those consultants waited around for those divas. Too bloody lazy to get their arses out of bed or just swanning off for lunch without telling us, it’s so rude.’
‘Oh don’t get me started, Lizzie. They have no respect. It will be interesting. I suggest we send each client an email with our terms and conditions too and keep a pile in reception to hand out.’
Lizzie gave the counter a firm tap with her hand and raised her voice. ‘Bloody brilliant idea. That will sort the wheat from the chaff.’
Angus walked in at that moment with a half-eaten croissant in his hand and with his usual beam. Lizzie wondered how he managed to keep it constant. It never waned.
‘What’s all this, you be country folk too? I thought I be the only farmer’s son around ‘ere,’ he jested.
‘Actually, I be a farmer’s dorta,’ Lizzie jibed back.
Josephine’s eyes lit up as she chortled. ‘Vous êtes fous.’
‘Yes, we have to be mad to work here,’ Lizzie chimed at Josephine feeling a little brighter for a slice of humour, then glanced back at Angus. ‘I not be from the west counry doh!’
‘No me neither. Kent darling. The Darling Buds of May county, I believe.’ Angus bit into his croissant.
‘That was your father though. I’m from further north of the county. Darling Buds was Pluckley, further south, Ashford way I think,’ Lizzie said wondering if her geography was correct.
Angus shrugged with smiling eyes. ‘I’ve no idea, sounds very romantic though,’
‘It’s beautiful there. It’s a small world isn’t it?’
‘What are the chances eh, two farmers’ kids working in the beauty industry.’
Lizzie tilted her head. ‘Yes, I bet you set out to be a vet too.’
His smiley eyes widened. ‘Aye, that I did.’ They both laughed. ‘I’m off to treat the livestock.’
Lizzie walked across to the coffee machine temporarily housed in a corner of reception. She opted for an espresso. It was rather endearing talking about Kent again. She supposed she missed it in some ways, particularly her father and grandparents when it was a proper farm. Not that her father had always worked there. He was out on the tractor in the evenings mainly. She often watched him from her bedroom window, driving the tractor, with its bright lights guiding him as he worked. Now, it was hard to believe it resembled a French landscape of vineyards rather than heavily churned soil that contained wheat, or rape seed. Or turned to pasture for grazing. The flash of her father’s face brought a smile. Maybe it was the ruddy complexion that farmers acquired that made Angus so familiar. The bright eyes against the wind-burned cheeks. Angus was sweet but there was no doubt, she missed Cal terribly.
That said, her shoulders straightened. She was determined she and Thierry would return to their former status. As much as it was breaking her heart, she couldn’t bear seeing Thierry’s face when she told him Cal and Jack had to move to another house.
‘Jack and Cal don’t like our house any more,’ he had told his superheroes. She had, in the little time she’d had to reflect, concluded she would remain independent for the rest of her life. His silence, she reasoned, spoke volumes. He was guilty. He’d not denied it and instead accused her of making it up. Like his infidelity, it was a figment of her imagination. How stupid did he think she was? If only she didn’t miss him so much and could stop herself crying in private.
Sipping her coffee, she turned to resume her work back at her desk and, whoosh, collided into Sophie.
‘Whoa, so sorry,’ Sophie said holding her hands in the air. ‘How are you this morning?’
Lizzie stepped back balancing her coffee and caught her breath. ‘My fault, I should have watched where I was going. Tired but, in better spirits,’ Lizzie told her truthfully.
‘Any word from Cal?’
Lizzie rolled her eyes. ‘No. Of course not. I told you he can’t argue because he knows what I said is true.’
Sophie clenched her face. ‘Oh sweetheart, I thought he would have been in touch. He spoke to Charles yesterday evening actually, before I got home. Cal is going to move into Domaine Margot. It’s partially liveable now at least. Jack may stay on a while.’
‘Oh.’
‘I think Cal wants Jack to have a base. He’s going to his French classes every day. Anyway, Charles thought he might come and see you. Charles said Cal can’t understand why you would think he would go near Kelly. I tell you. He is innocent. Charles believes him. I believe him. OK, you probably had reasons to be suspicious because she is his ex, but apparently he made sure he stayed out of her way for your sake. He knew it would concern you. Go and see him, Lizzie, at least hear him out. He’s had a lot to deal with. And Charles did tell him you’d been worried too whilst he was away. I had obviously discussed my concerns about you with Charles.’
Lizzie stepped aside to allow a client past. ‘And I still can’t rid that image of them out of my head. And Cal didn’t even stay that night to explain. If he had nothing to hide, he would have stayed and worked at it then.’
‘Perhaps he was tired and couldn’t deal with it. After weeks of struggling with Jack, maybe he had to shut down. I don’t know, Lizzie. I’m guessing,’ Sophie sighed.
‘Hmm, he wasn’t in the best place. But,’ she shrugged, ‘I still feel physically sick when I think of all that time and opportunity they had to be together. Urghh, I can’t shake it just like that.’ Lizzie lowered her tone. ‘That first night with him, when he came back. Don’t get me wrong, it was great to have him back and exciting, but all the time in my head I had flashes of him thinking I was Kelly. I was just waiting for him to say her name.’
Sophie placed her arm around her shoulder. ‘Come here,’ she said hugging her. ‘You’ve certainly created a monster in there haven’t you? You and Cal need to take some time away together.’
‘He has Jack and…’
‘Maybe next week when it dies down here, you can get together and…’
‘I have my family coming over, remember? I’ve still a
lot to do.’
‘Oh, yes, of course. Not great timing but, that’s so exciting.’ Sophie stepped back. ‘Well, at least if you’re not run into the ground here, you’ll have time to get your head back into its rightful place. Working flat out seven days a week isn’t healthy.’
‘No. I know. I’ll fill you in with some ideas for next year. We need to get that cellar done too. Anyway. How are you coping?’
‘Lizzie, it’s an absolute dream. But remember, I’ve been lucky having Angus here to help me out. I really couldn’t be happier. Yes it’s hard work but, wow, this has worked out beyond my wildest dreams. Maybe get Lucie to do more of the scheduling next year.’
‘I will. Anyway, we’ll have a catch-up, well if perchance we meet again this week. I’d better go and face the music.’
Sophie smiled with a nod and Lizzie returned to her station. She flicked through her emails and was pleased there was no sign of anything urgent or any complaints.
Three minutes later the phone rang. She listened for a moment expecting Lucie to make an announcement. All she heard was a rasping of breath.
‘Hello, Lizzie Lambert speaking. Can I help?’
A strange huff came down the phone and, losing patience, Lizzie almost slammed it down again.
‘Lizzie Lambert here.’
‘Aa…Angus.’
‘You want to speak to Angus?’ Lizzie frowned and held the phone closer to her ear.
The rasping got thicker. She deciphered another intake of breath.
‘Hhhmm. Mother,’
‘You’re Angus’s mother and you’ve been taken ill, to hospital maybe?’
‘Hhhh…h…yeh.’
‘Are you at hospital?’
‘Hh…no.’
‘I’ll get Angus to call you back urgently. No, wait there. I’ll get him.’
Lizzie dashed up to her office where Angus was with a patient. As she entered, relief swept over her as he held a buff file in his hand whilst his assistant was gently mopping the patient’s face.
‘My apologies,’ she said to the client. ‘Angus, please. It’s urgent.’ She waited for him to follow her out of the door. ‘Your mother is on my phone, she has difficulty breathing. Go and speak to her. She’s at home.’
