The Riviera (7 page)

The brief stop-over wait was tedious but once on their flight to Boston, Lizzie was beamingly chuffed with herself for her forward planning. Thierry was a little treasure; colouring, doing miniature puzzles and playing games on his Leapfrog tablet. She did have to rein him in a bit when he began taking photographs of other passengers though. One lady sleeping with her mouth wide open would not have appreciated it! Once he’d tired himself out, Thierry slept. She had to wake him but that was easy. All she did was tell him that Cal would be meeting them.

After the long wait at security and two full packs of sweets consumed, they finally reached the arrivals lounge. Thierry was sat on the loaded luggage trolley as Lizzie wheeled it out when suddenly, Cal jumped out from the crowd.

‘Whoa!!’ Her heart leaped! ‘Cal.’

‘Cal,’ Thierry echoed instinctively, his arms reaching up to him. ‘It’s Cal, Mummy.’

Cal reached out for Thierry and swept him up, simultaneously grabbing Lizzie to his chest, sending her legs clinging to his knees.

‘Yes it’s Cal. I’ve missed you two, so much.’ He squeezed them both while kisses fired between them like bullets.

‘Oh, you won’t believe how much we’ve both been pining for you.’ As soon as she said it, she winced inside. Did she sound too needy? It was probably just a bit too much information.

‘Oh that’s music to my ears. It’s great to feel loved. Am I brave enough to confess my pining too? Why not? I can’t pretend otherwise.’ Cal kissed her on the nose and whispered. ‘I’ll put that right later.’

Lizzie, at once felt a surge of anticipation rush through her. Her cheeks blushed as he placed her back on terra firma, her knees buckling. ‘Ha, ha. Anyway. So happy to see you. And glad to be getting out of here.’

Swopping Thierry into the other arm and squeezing him, he said, ‘And, little man, you look great, buddy! Let’s go and find our next plane. You will love it!’

‘I can swim, Cal.’

‘You can?’

‘I swimmed in the pool wiv Mummy a long long way!’

‘That’s great news, T, well done. We’ll stick to the aeroplane for this crossing though.’

‘Not another aeroplane!’ Thierry sighed, dragging his feet.

Cal glanced at Lizzie and they mirrored each other with an empathetic smile.

‘Last one, buddy. You want to come and stay with me don’t you?’ Cal asked. ‘We have been very lucky. Jack’s mom and Pops have very kindly let us stay at their beach house. What do you think about that?’

‘Is it on the beach?’ Thierry asked as they reached the departure gate.

‘It certainly is. We can go every morning to the beach and we can paddle or ride bikes, and guess who is staying with us?’

Thierry looked up to him with searching eyes and a hesitant smile. ‘Mummy.’

‘Yes, of course, Mummy. Who else?’

‘Who else?’ Thierry repeated. ‘Is Jack going to stay with us?’

‘Yes! That’s right.’

Thierry began bouncing again at the news and then as they boarded the lighter aircraft fired more questions. It was another twenty minutes and they were in the air again before he settled with his tablet and Lizzie could finally get a word in.

‘So, how are things with Jack?’

Cal grimaced and lifted his eyebrows. ‘Well – and this is in confidence – Mum was right. There was some grief with a girl and it has seriously knocked him back. He has spoken to me about it, but he’s not ready to face school or any social normality. Rightly or wrongly, I’m trying to persuade him to go back to school and just complete his SATs but…’ He shook his head. ‘He doesn’t agree.’

He continued telling Lizzie the story so far. Giving her an account of the last six days since he’d arrived. It was hard to believe that since the first day, little progress had been made with Jack psychologically. His son was still adamant he couldn’t face going to school. Cal had visited the school Principal and between them they discussed some possible solutions, The short-term being a homebound instruction and some counselling. His only option to transfer schools was Martha’s Vineyard. There wasn’t another high school on the island. Jack agreed to the schooling but not the counselling and neither he nor Kelly felt they should push him until he was ready.

Lizzie reached across the narrow aisle and took his hand. ‘That’s really tough. It’s going to be a waiting game by the sound of it.’

‘Yes. That’s all I can do for now. Obviously, try to keep him upbeat and try to shift this idea he has of living in London out of his head. He’s too young and, to be honest, running away isn’t the answer. I don’t know. I’m not sure that it’s my selfishness or his best interest. I don’t want to return to London. Not now I’ve just got my life together.’ He squeezed her hand. ‘And, things have just come together for me. Well, for us, but I’d do it if I had to.’

Lizzie swallowed hard as her mouth numbed. ‘Needs must,’ she said, hoping it wouldn’t come to such drastic measures. ‘I’m sure we’d work something out.’

‘We’ll wait and see. Maybe in a week or two he’ll feel differently.’

Thierry chatted incessantly as they completed their journey to Nantucket Island and in the car as Cal drove down the long dark track to the beach house. Lizzie could see the lights from the dwelling getting closer and with it a mix of relief and anticipation warmed her. It stood alone out on the marshy dunes overlooking the now black sky. As they neared the entrance a face appeared at a window on one side of the house. It was Jack and then another; Kelly.

‘Jack’s looking out for you, Thierry,’ Cal said. ‘Can you see Jack?’

Lizzie’s mouth engaged before her brain. ‘Oh, is Kelly staying too?’

Cal smirked. ‘No. She’s just stayed with Jack whilst I flew over. I would have brought him but he wanted to stay put.’

‘Oh, right. Yes.’ Lizzie sat back tightening her lips.

Cal pulled up next to Kelly’s parked car.

‘I’ll get the bags if you want to get Thierry,’ he said.

Kelly opened the door as Cal stacked the bags on the wooden deck. Lizzie led Thierry to the door where Kelly stepped out and embraced her.

‘Hi, guys, Lizzie,’ she said kissing her cheek and Thierry. ‘Well look at you. My, you’ve grown even more handsome than before.’ She leant down and kissed his forehead.

‘Say hello to Kelly, Thierry. You remember Jack’s Mummy?’

‘See Jack in the house?’ Thierry asked.

‘Thierry, say hello. Where are your manners?’ Lizzie insisted.

Thierry pointed his chin up to Kelly. ‘Hello.’ He pulled a cheeky grin with mischief pouring from his eyes.

Lizzie’s eyes closed as she made a disapproving face, her head nodding from side to side.

Kelly laughed. ‘Oh, I can see you’re gonna be a real charmer with the girls, young Thierry. He knows how to woo the ladies, Mommy.’

‘Oh, no, anything but follow in his father’s footsteps. How are you, Kelly?’

Kelly stepped back with her hands on her hips and swept back her now blonder hair.

‘Over the worst, I hope. Jack’s looking forward to seeing Thierry. Take him straight in, Jack is in the lounge. I’ll help Cal with the bags and then I’m sure you’ll want a drink.’

Thierry ran to Jack as soon as he spotted him and Lizzie was so pleased to see Jack’s face light up and his arms stretch out ready to catch him.

‘Hey, bro. Good to see you,’ Jack said lifting him straight onto his lap.

It was such a sweet moment and Lizzie became quite choked. Cal’s son was so good with him. And the term ‘bro’ was pretty endearing too. She watched for a moment as Thierry introduced Jack to his figure, Raphael Turtle.

‘Well, while Cal’s taking your bags upstairs, what would you like to drink?’

Lizzie turned to face Kelly behind her. ‘Oh a coffee would be lovely.’

‘How do you like it?’

‘Oh just white, no sugar please.’

‘Pop your coats in the hall,’ Kelly said as she dashed off to the kitchen.

Lizzie, feeling rather like a spare part with Thierry’s attention diverted and Kelly rushing around after her, did as she was told and then went to join her in the kitchen.

‘It’s a beautiful place. It’s yours and Reuben’s I understand?’

‘Yes, we moved here when we first came to Nan. Great for the beach but I was too far from civilisation. Jack and Reuben loved it here but Main Street is far more practical for me and school each day. It’s only six miles but, no we rent it out most of the year now.’

‘Don’t you use it in the summer?’

Kelly tucked a mug under the coffee machine and, throwing in a capsule, hit the switch. ‘We have done on the odd occasion it’s not let. It earns too good an income and we can cycle out with the kids now. Yes, there are bikes here and a child seat. Toys, beach boards, balls, fishing gear – anything you can think of really. Help yourself.’

‘Thank you. It’s very kind of you to let us use it.’

‘Haw, no problem.’ Kelly lowered her voice and passed Lizzie her coffee. ‘It’ll be good for Jack. Hopefully it will distract his mind and little Thierry will give him something different to focus on.’

‘Such a shame it’s too cold for swimming. Thierry’s just taken his first strokes.’

‘Well, there are wet suits, but the community pool will be better suited. It’s close to town.’

Lizzie nodded, placing her hot coffee on the worktop.

Kelly beamed pearly-white teeth. ‘Cal, coffee’s here. Just how you like it, and I’ve made some of your favourite bites. They’re in the fridge, I’ll get them out,’ she told him as he sauntered in.

Lizzie caught Kelly’s eyes fixed on Cal like she was seeking approval.

‘Thanks. Presumably smoked salmon bagels. Will Thierry eat…?’

‘Oh, I’ve made the boys ham and cheese,’ Kelly cut in. ‘So, I’ll be off. Just ring if you need anything. Bye. I’ll go say goodnight to the boys.’ She pecked them both, Lizzie on the cheek and Cal, Lizzie noted, on his lips.

Lizzie clasped her fingers around her coffee mug, gripping it tight. ‘Bye and thanks, Kelly.’ She forced a smile and followed Kelly with her eyes as Cal’s ex unhooked her coat in the hall and dashed through to say goodbye to Jack and Thierry.

She focused her attention back on Cal munching away at the beautifully prepared food.

‘You’d better eat something,’ Cal said with flirty eyes. ‘You’ll be needing the energy.’

Lizzie felt heat race to her cheeks.

‘Ahem, I haven’t gone yet!’ Kelly mused, zipping up her coat. ‘Enjoy your, erm, sleep.’

Chapter 8

‘Alone at last,’ Cal said sliding over and cupping Lizzie’s chin, gently brushing back the warm chestnut hair from one side of her face. ‘Your face gets more and more beautiful. I’m so glad you’re here.’ he pressed his lips to hers. Lizzie immediately caught his familiar breath and melted straight into his kiss.

‘Bye, you lovebirds,’ Kelly called as she dashed out the front door.

‘And,’ Lizzie cleared her throat as she squeezed his waist, ‘Just our two little treasures to wrap up first.’

Cal clutched her tighter. ‘Only if I let you go. God, you not only look gorgeous, you smell even more delicious than a warm apple pie. And that is the best smell in the world.’

‘Do you know, as soon as you grabbed me at the airport, your body scent hit my nostrils. It must be your pheromones. Strong pheromones at that. I don’t think I’m going to be able to control myself, she confessed watching his pupils enlarge. His hunger was evident, making her weaker by the millisecond. This man really was the most desirable being on earth, she thought. How on earth Kelly left him for Reuben, she’d never understand. And she wondered if Kelly did now regret it. When she’d met Reuben a few months ago he looked much older than she imagined. Luckily for her though, Cal was hers and that was all that mattered.

‘Oh dear, two uncontrollable adults. It will be a problem for me too. I don’t know how I’m going to keep my hands off you either this week, if I keep inhaling you Truly Scrumptious!’

‘I remember that name.’

‘Yes, that’s what you should have been called.’

‘And you can be Caractacus Potts. He was handsome, clever and a lovely father to boot.’

‘OK. I won’t disagree with you there. Let’s go and play Mummies and Daddies.’

A snigger shook inside her. Bonkers, the pair of them but she was loving bonkers more and more. It was definitely keeping her tired body awake. Sliding out of his arms, she strolled into the living room almost hurtling over the boys playing cars on the floor.

‘Well, little man, five more minutes and we’ll get you changed for bed,’ she told Thierry. ‘Is it OK to go up and see his room?’

‘Crikey, yes. Come. I’ll show you,’ Cal said.

Cal led her upstairs and into a beautifully furnished twin bedroom. Typically New England or Swedish, Lizzie was never one to distinguish the two styles very well, but the white-painted walls and floorboards rugged out and softly furnished with tasteful neutral bedding and grey-washed picture frames, made the finish quite stunning.

‘Very nice. I hope Reuben and Kelly will let us pay for our stay.’

‘You can offer but I doubt it. We’ll buy Kelly a little something.’

She pulled the curtains on both windows and took away a pile of pillows and cushions, just leaving him one. Yes, Thierry will be quite comfortable she was sure. She opened his bag and pulled out a pair of his pyjamas and a fleecy onesie to keep him snug. With it came out his spare comforter, a shabby-looking, soft-bodied Mickey Mouse.

‘I recognise that,’ Cal said wrapping his arms around her waist from behind and breathing close to her ear. ‘That was with him in his push-chair the very first day I met him in Aix.’ She turned, brushing his lips with her cheek and instantly captured his next breath with hers.

‘Not long now.’ He brushed his fingers gently down her face and then took the toy from her hand and placed it on Thierry’s bed. ‘I’m sure Jack will go to his room as soon as Thierry does. He’s got a new game console I thought may come in handy.’

Lizzie pinched his bum. ‘Always that step ahead, aren’t you?’

When Lizzie woke the following day, she panicked realising where she was and no Cal beside her. Last night’s reunion had been so amazing. It had been worth every mile she’d travelled to see him but she rubbed her eyes and looked around for her phone, she had no idea of the time. The curtains blacked the room out. The phone was still in her bag and as she tapped it awake, her heart lurched. It was gone eleven.