The Riviera (35 page)

Jack and his friends were first to arrive and Jack asked if he could stay. Lizzie agreed, supposing Cal wouldn’t or couldn’t come and collect him. She did think to enquire but, within minutes, Caroline and Michael along with Angela and Pheely arrived, looking sparkly. Both wore glittery dresses and Lizzie hoped the quality of the food and drink would meet the calibre of their dress and expectations. She poured them drinks and Angela conveyed she and Pheely had enjoyed a lovely week and, as well as visiting, would be returning. They’d been discovering so many other gardens and villages to visit they said they could probably be back three times a year.

‘You have really made my day. Great to hear.’ Lizzie squeezed Angela’s hand.

‘This is a beautiful apartment, Lizzie,’ Pheely enthused. All this living space. It’s like a mini heaven, and that terrace looks to die for.’

‘Let me show you.’ Lizzie led them to the terrace. ‘I wish I could get out there more often. It’s sunny all day long. And, if you glance to the right, you can see the sea.’

Angela stepped towards the balustrade and took in the view from four storeys up. ‘It’s beautiful. Must be really handy having that market down there too.’

‘Oh it is very convenient. I’ll show you round the apartment. Just shut your eyes to the mess.’

When they returned from the last bedroom, Sophie and Charles, looking a very handsome couple ans, so in love, stood at the kitchen counter. Caroline was handing them drinks and then reached for a small bottle of juice for Thierry who was evidently thrilled with all the company and back and forth to his gran, Michael then back to Jack and his friends who had congregated on one end of the terrace, Marie-Claire included.

Lizzie led them back to the gathering. ‘OK, I must introduce you two to my best friend and business partner, Sophie and her lawyer, husband-to-be Charles. They will be married in September. I know you met briefly at the salon but Sophie was rather busy.’

‘Oh, congratulations. Yes, sorry, Sophie, for walking in,’ Pheely said with a giggle. ‘I took the wrong door. What an amazing salon, or clinic. Not sure what you call it. It’s a real credit to you both.’

‘Sophie has done tremendously well, and I’ll let her tell you all about her award-winning procedure and treatment,’ Lizzie said. ‘Oh, Sophie, Pheely is a cosmetic chemist. We always said we would one day like to create our own brand of creams and cosmetics.’

‘Well, I can help you there if you do,’ Pheely replied.

Sophie gazed in amazement. ‘You’re kidding me.’

‘Oh, ignore her.’ Lizzie pulled a face. ‘You’ve just completed our dream for the salon. That’s all.’

‘Oh, so tell me about your award, the procedure. What’s it all about?’ Pheely asked.

‘I’ll leave you two to chat.’ Lizzie turned to Charles and Michael seeing their glasses drained already. ‘Can I get you two more drinks? I’ll get some larger glasses.’

‘Ah, thank you Lizzie.’ Charles held out his glass and Michael followed.

She went to the kitchen area to refill the glasses. Caroline and Angela still had a little wine but they were too busy chatting. She got the beers and then refilled wine glasses by taking a cool bottle of the local rosé wine round.

Just then, Angus and Jackie stepped through the door. Lizzie greeted them with kisses. ‘Welcome, bro Angus, Jackie. My mother is looking forward to meeting you both. She took it really well so don’t worry. It was a few years before she met my…sorry,
our
dad. Come, I’ll introduce you and we’ll have a chat about Dad later.

‘Mum, Angela, this is my new-found brother Angus,’ Lizzie said pulling him round. ‘And this is his lovely mother Jackie. Be gentle with her, she’s just recovered from pneumonia.’

‘Lovely to meet you,’ Caroline told them both, swiping kisses on their cheeks. ‘Rather weird circumstances to become faced with, but, oh, you do have some of Peter’s features, Angus. And, don’t worry, I’m a thankful woman nowadays and nothing phases me much anymore. I’m sure Lizzie has told you I’m fine with it all. I happen to know Peter did work on those whisky accounts. For years in fact. Anyway, I’m enjoying life with all sorts of discoveries and no complaints. It’s becoming so much richer for them. I can tell you all about your father but not before you meet my new-found cousin, Angela. We have an interesting story here too.’

Lizzie watched as Angus and Jackie smiled and began to relax. Caroline and Angela were telling their tale. Several minutes passed and she suddenly remembered Jack. She was sure Angus had questions for Caroline, but was sure he could return.

‘Excuse me. Angus, you might want to come and see Jack. I didn’t tell you, he has some news. He’s outside. Will you be OK here, Jackie, with Mum and Angela?’

‘Yes, dear. And,’ she stroked Lizzie’s arm, ‘thank you.’

‘I’m happy he’s found us. I’ll take him out to see Jack again, my ex’s son. Angus is his idol.’

Jackie’s nose twitched. ‘Oh, the laddie, yes Angus told me all about him. ‘I’m fine here, dear. You run along.’

Taking Angus by the arm she led him out to the youngsters. The boys were on their second beer.

‘Look, boys, as much as I would love to offer you another beer, if you go on the soft drinks now, you can have another beer later. Is that a deal?’ she said. The boys looked at each other.

Jack quickly spotted Angus. ‘Oh, awesome, how are you, Angus?’

‘You get cokes, Marie-Claire, and I’ll unwrap the food. They can eat instead of drink.’

Lizzie spun round. A thumping pulse pumped through her ears. ‘Cal.’ Her hand clasped her neck. ‘Good of you to come. I expect you brought Rose.’

‘Yes, and her friend. Is it OK if I stay for a while?’

‘Yes. I… Yes. Please, you’re welcome. Can I get you a drink?’

‘Charles is bringing one out. I know it’s not the place, but can we talk out here for a minute?’

Cal looked serious. Lizzie wasn’t sure what this was all about. She searched his eyes for clues. One thing for sure though, she would let him do the talking.

Finally, she nodded. ‘Yes.’

‘Amazing that Angus is your half-brother. I still can’t believe it. I want to inspect his face now, looking for clues.’

‘Yes, I know. I’m getting used to it. He’s a really nice person. If Sophie and I expand the business, or,’ she whispered, ‘Sophie has a baby soon, it’s nice to know we have a trusted family member here ready.’

‘Absolutely. Lizzie, can I just say, I was rather harsh on you the other day and I want to apologise. I didn’t say anything, but Kelly had been trying to persuade Jack to go to London with her, and I was in a particularly foul mood,’

Lizzie gasped and swallowed hard. ‘Oh. But, nonetheless, I was quick to open my mouth. A knee-jerk reaction to seeing you and Kelly together.’ She gave a nervous grin. ‘Look, since we talked, I’ve not given the “you and Kelly” thing any more…’ She stepped back as Jack brought hors d’oeuvres.

‘Did Dad tell you Mum gave me this?’ Jack pointed his chin to an envelope in his shirt pocket. ‘It’s an apology from the wicked witch of the east, the girl who tried to wreck my life. Not that I needed it, but at least it’s a peace offering.’

‘That’s brilliant, Jack.’

‘And has Dad told you I’ve got a place at a school here? I’ve mapped out my path. There’s no way I’m going to London unless I have to do a course.’ Jack looked down at the plate in his hand and turned towards Lizzie.

‘Oh well done. I am so pleased for you. No food thank you.’

Cal drew his arm up to his son’s back. ‘Jack, I’m so proud,’ he said patting his back, his eyes warming with every second. ‘You have grown up so much. Go and enjoy yourself.’

They watched as Jack returned to his friends. ‘What a fantastic outcome, Cal. I couldn’t be happier for him, and you.’

‘Let’s sit over there,’ Cal said. ‘Out of the way.’ He led her to the smaller table by the door.

Just as they were about to sit down. Charles came out with Cal’s beer. ‘Sorry, Rose nabbed me. Here,’ he said handing him the glass. ‘Oh, and before I forget.’ He reached into his inside jacket pocket. ‘This arrived at the office for you Lizzie, well, for Thierry and Jack I believe to share.’ He took out a letter with a cheque attached. ‘The d’Aramitz family, Anton’s family, that is, have instructed their lawyers to pass on this reward. For returning their stolen antiques. At least you’ll never have the worry of bloody school fees.’ Charles handed it to Lizzie and strolled back inside.

Lizzie opened the envelope. ‘Jesus.’ Lizzie showed Cal the cheque. ‘They were Anton’s family’s. I’m not sure I’m comfortable with this, coming from them, I mean. Surely Anton realises who they are.’

‘If the boys hadn’t found them, someone else would have or they’d have been crushed by the bull-dozer, for sure.’

‘But this is a lot of money, and I think we’re just happy they’ve got their family treasures back. Oh, apart from the Teddy. Thierry still has it. I wonder if it was his father’s?’ Lizzie opened the letter. ‘Oh, look,’ Lizzie read the last line, ‘
Anton d’Aramitz has stressed the reward is not enough to ever reflect the personal injustice but hopes it affords them a healthy prosperous future.
’

‘But, Charles is right. It will set them up. I’m not sure I should tell Jack yet though,’ Cal smirked. ‘He’s a way to go before he starts getting ideas about fast cars.’

‘That’s up to you.’

‘The last thing we need are brats like Anton.’

Lizzie chuckled. ‘Absolutely.’ She gazed back down at the cheque trying to absorb the situation.

‘Anyway, I came to talk about us. Let’s sit down.’ Cal signalled with his hand.

She sat and watched him be seated, encouraged to see his eyes glow with his familiar warmth. ‘What a difference our chat made to my thinking,’ she told him.

‘Good,’ he said facing her. ‘I think we both learned so much that night, all for the best, I may add. I think we have both proved we have no one else to stop us being together, and your pleas the other day certainly convinced me of your feelings and, Lizzie, as I simply don’t function without you there there’s something I need to ask you.’

‘Oh.’ Lizzie grew concerned that she had missed something. His eyes softened, beginning to melt her as they now mocked. She felt her insides gurgle, her heart raced.

‘Yes,’ he said and scooted to her feet on one knee and opened a small box. ‘Lizzie. Will you marry me?’

Her mouth dropped, her eyes glowed as they left his, capturing the sparkle of the diamond. She gazed back at him her heart leaping. Were all her dreams now coming true?

‘Stupid question. Of course I will.’ Tears unleashed from her eyes. ‘Oooh, oh, Cal. Phew, I can’t breathe.’

Cal took the ring from the box and slipped it onto her finger.

Cheers suddenly sprang from her side. She’d been totally oblivious of the crowd forming. Sophie suddenly leaned across and placing two sparkling flutes of champagne onto the table beside them, then stepped back leaving Jack with Thierry and Caroline and Rose at the front ready to toast. Charles’s arm went up with his flute.

Lizzie looked up. ‘Oh, this is…’

‘To Lizzie and Cal,’ he said.

Lizzie surveyed the crowd trying to take it all in.

Caroline stepped towards them. ‘That’s four new members of the family, five including Jack, Lizzie.’

‘Oh, Mum, quite a collection,’ she laughed.

Cal took Lizzie’s hand and they both got to their feet, he handing her a flute and then picking up his own, raising it.

‘To us,’ he cheered and they clinked glass. He took her into his arms, she felt his lips brush hers and then they were lost.

More cheers shrilled through the air making Lizzie and Cal laugh. He kept her locked in his arms.

‘Wow.’ Lizzie wiped her eyes. ‘I love you so much, Cal McLaren,’ she said pecking him on the lips, the volume around them hushing.

‘Well, expect a wedding soon, Mrs McLaren, because I need you and our new Provençal vineyard needs a wedding.’

‘Really, what, get married on the terrace?’ Her chest pumped.

‘Yes, as soon as we can get a date booked. I can’t bear to be without you. It’s ready and waiting.’

‘Yikes,’ she screeched throwing her arms around his neck.

Then she heard Pheely squeal as her family and friends moved forward to congratulate them. ‘Gus?’

Angus held out his arms. ‘Pheely, I wondered if it was you.’

‘Well, it’s been a few years.’

Lizzie squeezed Cal and raised her brows.’ More surprises in our expanding family it seems.’

Cal pulled her close and whispered. ‘Oh, I can’t wait to expand our family some more.’

If you loved The Riviera turn the page for an exclusive extract from Karen Aldous’

The Chateau

Chapter 1

‘Max, you’re not obliged to come to the wedding, in fact, I’d rather you didn’t. You’re just full of bloody excuses all the time so fuck you.’ Georgina Remy slammed the bedroom door hard.

‘Gina. Gina,’ Max roared through the closed door. ‘I just feel it’s important to meet these guys on Friday while they’re in the country.’

Gina turned on her heels and flung back the door. Max was before her, in her face. His metallic eyes pleading. She squinted hard at them.

‘I don’t believe you, Max. Why does your charity always have to come first? These people will survive. You’re hardly providing life-saving operations. Haven’t you heard charity begins at home?’ She slammed the door again. ‘This is the same feeble excuse you keep harking back to. Our relationship should come before anything: my business; your charity. You don’t get it, do you?’

‘I do and it won’t happen again, not after this and, as I said, we’ll sit down and plan,’ he shouted through the door.

‘Just…I don’t want to hear it.’ She stepped back. ‘This so-called relationship is going nowhere, Max. Go home.’ She rushed for her suitcase, pulling it out from under her bed and mindlessly throwing her neatly ironed clothes in. She could hear him continuing the fight from the hall.

‘Why are you overreacting? I’ll fly over Saturday morning. I’ll be there for the wedding, I promise. Gina…Gina. I’ve committed to it. I won’t let it happen again. You know I’m looking forward to it.’

A fierce silence sliced through the air. As she forced shoes and toiletries and make-up around her clothes Gina fought hard not to let the bitterness erupt. Clasping her head in her hands, she collapsed on the bed, throwing her head into the pillow. With some distance she could hopefully calm herself. He would probably leave now anyway, he usually did. This was now a regular occurrence. A routine. It was a mockery of a relationship. This wasn’t the life she’d planned, not the Max she’d once known. He’d always been attentive, sharing and keen to have a family and family life. He’d always wanted to be with her and do things with her. She closed her eyes before she heard him again.