The Vineyard

by Karen Aldous

  A sudden sadness surfaced in her. Reflecting on the loss of both her father and grandparents, she wished more than anything they were around to share it with her too, they would be so proud. Even without her equestrian centre which she dreamed of as a child, she knew her grandfather would still put his arms around her and say it’s ‘the heart which fires the passion which fires the mind which fires the creativity’. It was a little part of him that stayed with her; just one of his quirky sayings. Her heart now played a huge fanfare of affection for the man she so missed yet had so betrayed. She scorned at her own lack of consideration for him. She whispered a prayer to him begging forgiveness her for her neglect and, along with her father and grandmother, she was certain they were looking down on her with pride.

  ***

  On the morning of the launch, the caterers arrived early with the food, fridges were delivered for the Champagne and the sparkling British wine which, much to Lizzie’s surprise, Cal had sent. Lizzie emailed him to thank him. He also reported that Caroline was in good spirits. Today however, was the day that she would savour and see her dream come to fruition, having already taken bookings for Sophie’s services, five Botox and eleven consultations for other cosmetic procedures and surgery. Things were beginning to happen. Josephine, the salon manager, had been looking after the daily running and had booked appointments for later in the week at the new salon rather than expecting staff to work on treatments on launch day at the old salon. Most therapists could be at the launch to give demonstrations, answer questions and book appointments.

  From the time she arrived dressed in her peach Sessun shift dress, Lizzie glowed with pride alongside Sophie who wore a long Biba chiffon dress in cream embellished with pearlised sequins. Their therapists wore plain crisp white uniforms with the Beaute Dedans logo embroidered in light peach and navy on the chest pocket. They looked smart and spoke quality, matching the treatment gowns and towels. Local and a national press journalist came early, with a couple of them making use of a free treatment. Some of their regular clients were among the first in, too curious to wait for their treatment date. Sophie’s parents arrived around eleven were given the tour.

  ‘It’s beautiful, so glamorous,’ Sophie’s mother remarked. Sophie hugged her, wiping tears before her make-up ran.

  ‘Yes,’ agreed her father, ‘I can see you’ve put a lot of work in and the location is superb. Quite honestly, I reckon you’ve dug yourselves quite a gold mine here.’

  Pride shone from Sophie and Lizzie. Compliments came thick and fast but were that much more special from them.

  A choice of orange juice or sparkling wine awaited each guest with hors d'oeuvres offered intermittently by the waiting staff. A harpist played gently in the background.

  As shoppers and tourists came by, observing the bunting outside and buzz inside or the posters on the sandwich boards prompting their curiosity, they entered to investigate. Interest was growing throughout the day. Launch day vouchers were being brought in from newspaper advertisements, leaflets, and those that had been printed off from the new website for special offers.

  The interest in Sophie’s treatments was amazing and by mid-afternoon, her consultation diary was full for the following two weeks and Botox treatments for the next three. Charles came along just after two o’clock and things had quietened down. By this time, being on their feet, hosting and chatting had begun to wear them down. Lizzie visited the bathroom and had just rinsed through some of the Champagne flutes and returned to the reception area when she blinked twice. To her surprise, at the door was Caroline and Michael, wearing brilliant beams. She threw down her towel and ran to her mother and hugged her, squeezing her hard.

  ‘Mum,’ she could barely speak. ‘How did you…?’

  ‘Cal, he has organised all of this. Got us here and arranged our accommodation.’ Caroline, watching her daughter’s moist eyes, wept. The whole room wept too.

  ‘This is so…amazing.’ Lizzie scanned the entrance as Cal was heading for the door. ‘Cal,’ she called.

  ‘Cal, come here.’ Caroline frowned in jest. ‘You’re not sloping off.’

  ‘No. Cal stay, please?’ Lizzie pleaded with urgency, dashing over and grabbing his hand. ‘I’m really so grateful. Thank you, thank you for bringing Mum and Michael,’ she sniffed wiping her eyes with her fingers. ‘What can I say? Please, we want you to join us. You’ve been so much a part of everything.’

  Cal, embarrassed, stood powerless. Lizzie felt his discomfort and a coldness towards her as she kissed him on both cheeks. Gone were his warm arms awaiting her embrace. She had hurt him and she deserved it. She felt lucky he remained polite. She swallowed hard, turning back to her mother. ‘You look really well. How are you feeling? Was the journey ok?’

  ‘Yes I feel great and it’s such a bonus to be here, sharing this with you. I can’t thank Cal enough either, he has been a star.’ Caroline spun herself and Lizzie to face him.

  ‘Absolutely,’ Lizzie said regarding Cal. Something in him had faded.

  ‘Your mum also has some news for you,’ Cal interjected and Lizzie forced a smile.

  Caroline turned to Lizzie her cheeks blushing as she felt the whole room rest their eyes on her. ‘Yes, my surgery was very successful and the doctor has told me that they managed to cut out all the harmful cancer cells so I don’t need any chemotherapy or radiotherapy. I will just need a drug to ward it off.’

  ‘That’s such great news Mum. I’m so relieved to hear that.’ Lizzie embraced her mother once again and felt so much love come her way. ‘I’m so proud of you. That was a horrible thing to have to go through and you must have been beside yourself waiting to hear.’

  ‘I think you, Thierry, Cal and Michael have to take credit too,’ Caroline beamed at her daughter proudly. ‘Having you back and discovering I have Thierry was such a boost. I can’t wait to see him again.’

  ‘Yes, he will want to see his Grandma again too, we’ll slide away soon.’

  ‘Not before I’ve had a chance to look around here. This looks fabulous darling. You have been working hard.’

  Lizzie immediately looked over at Sophie who had stepped over to greet Cal.

  ‘Well, I couldn’t have managed all this without my business partner, friend, confidante and pseudo sister. Mum, meet Sophie.’ She led her mother towards the blushing Sophie. They shook hands and then Caroline pulled her daughter’s friend closer, kissed both cheeks and gave her a friendly hug.

  ‘Darling, I have heard so much about you. All good and I know Lizzie wouldn’t be without you. I wish you both every success with the salon.’

  ‘Thank you Mrs Lambert.’

  ‘Call me Caroline, please. And this is Michael, my partner.’ She stepped back and affectionately rubbed his arm. ‘I wouldn’t be without him.’

  ‘Come on, we’ll show you both round,’ Lizzie said, beckoning Sophie too to accompany her. ‘There’s lots to see and I’m sure we can fit you in some treatments while you’re here. You will love them, I know.’

  Caroline and Michael followed them around with questions and enthusiasm to match Lizzie and Sophie’s. It was an hour later before they returned to reception, Cal was dragged in by Charles to help. He’d supervised the caterers and was helping clean up and Lizzie insisted they all return to her apartment. She couldn’t wait for her mother to reunite with her grandson.

  ‘Sorry but I have to be off Lizzie,’ Cal said matter of factly. ‘Enjoy…’

  ‘Absolutely not,’ she replied. ‘I owe you at least a big thank you so please come back with us.’

  ‘Lizzie, it’s not worth…’

  ‘Also Thierry would love to see you…’ she paused ‘even if it’s just for an hour.’ Lizzie realised she was getting carried away in the excitement of the day. ‘Please, just for a short while?’

  ‘An hour,’ he said.

  Lizzie reached inside a fridge and she gave each of them a plate of food to carry. ‘Thank you,’ she mouthed meeting his eyes and melting inside.

>   Chapter 40

  Thierry was on the floor playing with his cars when the party entered. As he looked up his face brightened with a big smile and he ran up to greet them, he didn’t know whose arms to go to first, his mother, Sophie, Cal, and then he saw his Grandma. Caroline marched joyously forward and caught him in her arms as she bent down to his level. Marie-Claire gave a warm welcome before sliding off to make herself a bit more respectable.

  ‘Thierry my sweet, you have grown in such a short time and become even more handsome. Grandma has missed you so much.’ She held him tight kissing his cheek. ‘Come, I have a little present for you and you can tell me what you’ve been doing since you left Grandma’s.’ The two of them were soon engrossed catching up on missed time. Cal and Charles deposited boxes brought back from the salon into the kitchen and Lizzie unwrapped trays of surplus food collected from the salon fridge. Thierry however, was soon pulling Cal down to play with his new car from Grandma.

  ‘Well everyone, we still have a feast to eat here so tuck in and,’ she opened another box, ‘we still have plenty more to drink. Cal would you mind opening…?’

  ‘Yes, no problem. Then I if you don’t mind I need to go. I’ve got things to do.’

  ‘Oh? You’re not just saying that are you for my and Thierry’s sake?’

  Cal couldn’t hide his lie as his eyes averted hers. ‘No I have an early meeting tomorrow.’

  ‘But it’s Sunday tomorrow.’ She tried to catch his eye. ‘Please, stay for a while at least. No one will be concerned with Mum and Michael here.’

  ‘I would love to.’ His eyes wandered back to her with a yearning that made her want to fall into his arms. ‘I have some documents that I need to look over before the morning. Just promise me you will…’ he bit his lip, ‘be careful. Charles will look after everything. I shall be going back to England tomorrow afternoon.’ He opened the bottle with a bang and poured the sparkling liquid into flutes ‘Good luck Lizzie, Sophie. The salon looks amazing. I know you will have great success.’ And he kissed Lizzie lightly on the cheek. ‘You have a good time with your mother and Michael. Oh, by the way, they are staying in an apartment across the landing from Charles, so you will need to point them in the right direction from here, unless they go back with him. I have to get back home for a while, I’ll be back in a couple of weeks to make sure they get home ok.’

  ‘Thank you for everything. I don’t know how I’m ever to repay you.’ Her voice trailed off quietly and reluctantly she said ‘Goodbye. Safe journey back.’

  How she refrained from reaching up and throwing her arms around him she didn’t know but she continued the evening trying to conceal her emotions. She was just grateful she had her mother and Michael there, and that they were all together to celebrate the launch. They continued without Cal and it was lovely to catch up with her mother and watch Thierry enjoy her company.

  Once alone she replayed the moment his lips brushed her face, at once the heat and perfume of him burrowed into her, reigniting the flame that burned for him within. But, sadly, how much he’d cooled. Seeing him again grabbed her throat and swelled her heart and as his eyes foraged deep into her soul it was impossible to imagine that those around them could fail to feel their magnetism. But no, it was no use to keep tormenting herself, hoping and dreaming. All she could do was to throw any thoughts out of her head and lose any memory of him. Damn why did he have to come in, she heard herself blurt in her head and knew she wasn’t being fair. He had, despite his own busy schedule, made yet another huge effort for all of them and was collecting Caroline and Michael too. She suddenly felt highly inadequate and selfish. Get over it Lizzie, she told herself. Get over him.

  Over the next few days, Lizzie spent as much time as business allowed with Caroline, Michael and Thierry. The salon was quite hectic but Josephine, as always, managed it with her usual efficiency, co-ordinating room and staff rotas whilst the reception staff kept the clients happy. Sophie got to grips with her dual role with not just her university lecturing and research but her new clients and their treatments. It was rewarding and she looked forward to discovering not only results but new possibilities within her role. So far her ladies sang her praises, walking out of the salon with smoother skin from their Botox treatments but it was early days and she was excited about the future.

  Whilst at the hospital, the following week, Sophie bumped into a former colleague from her Paris days who now worked as a registrar in the neurological department. They chatted generally and Sophie being Sophie just happened to make a connection and discovered disturbing news. Anton D’Amaritz, she was told had suffered a stroke that very morning. She called into Lizzie’s on her way home.

  ‘Yes, a stroke Lizzie,’ she repeated. ‘These things can happen.’

  ‘Please don’t mention this to Marie-Claire,’ Lizzie said alarmed. ‘She doesn’t need to blame herself any more than she has.’

  ‘Of course not.’ Sophie agreed. ‘Apparently, he’d not long come out of the coma.’

  ‘Do you think I ought to go and see him?’ Lizzie blurted.

  ‘No why? Anyway he only had the stroke early this morning. His condition would need to stabilise.’

  ‘Was it bad?’ Lizzie began pacing but searched Sophie’s eyes.

  ‘Well it was fortunate he was still in the hospital but it is unlikely they’ll know what damage has been done until they have him stable.’

  ‘God, he won’t die will he? Was this solely because of his head injury?’

  ‘It’s unlikely he’ll die, but likely his injury has made him vulnerable yes. The risk is certainly higher after a serious head injury, particularly if a bone is fractured.’

  ‘So what happens now?’

  ‘Once they’ve assessed him,’ Sophie’s head followed her friend’s pacing, ‘he’ll go through a rehabilitation programme depending on the parts of the brain which have been damaged and affected.’

  ‘Will it take long?’ Lizzie wasn’t sure whether this was good or bad news.

  ‘Depends again on the severity. Could be weeks, months. He may have to relearn basic motor skills such as walking, washing and dressing himself, holding objects, language skills such as speaking and writing. He may not be seriously affected if they caught the signs early enough.’

  ‘Bloody hell Sophie, this spells trouble. His family will try to sue for sure.’

  ‘Why, he’s the one who put himself in that position. It was hardly an accident – he was abducting a child remember.’

  ‘His family won’t see it that way though will they? They’ll come up with some kind of imaginative accusations for sure. Like “he was manipulated, set up”. I don’t know, but I’m sure they’ll think of something.’ Lizzie slowed, reaching in the fridge for a bottle of wine.

  Sophie jumped up from her chair ‘Don’t let it get to you Lizzie.’

  ‘I’m not. I suppose I should be celebrating or should it be commiserating? He’s out of my hair for a while but it could make Collette all the more determined. Anyway, it’s easier to numb my brain than to think about it.’ She poured two glasses.

  ‘Not for me, Lizzie. Charles is coming over, I need to get going,’ Sophie told her.

  ‘Just one, small one, please?’ Lizzie held out the half-filled glass.

  ‘Just this half, then I’m off. Five minutes,’ Sophie conceded.

  Lizzie smirked. ‘Charles is a rock and he knows his stuff. You have a real peach of a man there.’

  As the smile spread across her eyes Sophie nodded in agreement. ‘I think he’s well aware what a plonker Anton really is and what a bully he can be. All mouth but no substance. He says his type rarely get what they want because of their tactics; they’re barely prepared for what they need when faced with legalities, details, records that sort of thing. They don’t read things properly either, they rely solely on pursuing their own gratification.’

  ‘And money, Anton can afford lawyers to fabricate.’

  ‘Yes, and Charles is used to that too. Don’t
forget, the one person who always wins is the lawyer. Anton’s lawyer will still get paid whatever the outcome.’ Sophie finished her wine. ‘Anyway, sweet, I’m off. Promise me just one more glass?’ And she pecked her friend on the cheek before collecting her bag and leaving.

  ‘Have a lovely evening,’ Lizzie said and wandered to the balcony to watch her go and the street bustle below.

  ***

  Sophie arrived back at her apartment and showered quickly and applied a minimal amount of make-up before preparing a quick meal for herself and Charles. She boiled some new potatoes then rinsed some lettuce and chopped tomatoes before Charles buzzed the intercom. He had come straight from the office still suited and carrying nothing but a weak smile and some shattering news.

  ‘It’s not working Sophie,’ he announced. ‘I think you are a lovely girl and perfect in every way for me but I’m really struggling.’ He held his head down as he spoke.

  Sophie stared at him speechless, trying to absorb what sounded like rehearsed words. She sensed he hadn’t yet finished.

  ‘I don’t want you to think you have done anything wrong to bring this about either,’ he continued. ‘I…I’m just not…maybe it’s going too fast for me to cope with. I don’t know. All I know is…I’m…I think I still miss Katie or I feel I am still grieving and, until…’

  Choking inside but holding back her tears Sophie stood firmly in front of him determined but scared her voice would break ‘Charles it’s ok.’ She dipped her head into her hand and held it for a few seconds. ‘I think I understand.’

  ‘When I met you, I convinced myself I was over Katie but I’ve since discovered, I’m really not. It’s too soon and...’

  Sophie’s chest heaved before she breathed out slowly. ‘Really, it’s ok. I’m just grateful you are or can be honest. I hope we can still be friends, still go out, do things together and just forget about the relationship – if that’s possible for you?’

  ‘I’m sorry Sophie.’

  ‘I’ll live,’ she joked and searched his face for a moment. He seemed genuinely to be struggling. ‘I’ll call you next week and if you’re up for it, we can go for a drink. You have been a good friend too and, the least I can do is help a friend in need. I don’t want you getting all depressed do I?’