The Vineyard (36 page)

Just as she was leaving, one regular customer, Madame Joubert, waved as she stepped out, missing her step. Lizzie ran after her unable to catch her as she fell. ‘Oh, Sophie, come quick.’

‘Aaghh, my ankle,’ said Madame Joubert. Lizzie grabbed her under her arms and eased her round so she was sitting straight.

‘Are you ok,’ Lizzie asked, ‘apart from your ankle?’

‘Yes, stupid me, I should watch where I’m going,’ Madame Joubert cried angrily.

Sophie dashed to the scene and checked her ankle. ‘Oh dear, painful, could be sprained. Lizzie, can you get some ice and a towel. We’ll take her to her doctor.’

Returning with ice and a glass of water, Lizzie watched helpless as Sophie wrapped the swelling ankle with an ice pack and towel. ‘I’ll get the car,’ she said.

Lizzie and Sophie stood her up and she hopped, with support to the car.

‘You stay here Sophie, I’ll take her to her doctor and get her home safely.’ It was the least she could do even though she could barely spare the time. Madame Joubert was a spirited and entertaining patient though and she and Lizzie exchanged chatter in the car. She was an English ex-pat who had married a Frenchman ten years ago only to be widowed for the second time three years ago.

She was a regular client who Lizzie suspected was in her sixties or possibly older than her trim, graceful well-kept appearance suggested. She travelled by train from the nearby town of Villefranche at least once a week and was her usual bundle of energy and had just, she told her, had a manicure at the old salon and was full of praise for the beautiful new salon and Lizzie’s achievement. She promised to tell all her friends about the new cosmetic surgery side. Lizzie chatted briefly about the salon, Sophie and Thierry finding it a relaxing diversion from normality and actually enjoyed the journey. Madame Joubert proudly spoke about her sons; one with a family in Canada and one whose first love had taken his son to the United States and married a rich businessman. Lizzie really felt for Madame Joubert not being able to see her grandson. It was a tale so nearly reminiscent of her mother’s. She made sure Madame Joubert got into her villa ok and settled her in. In no time at all, there was a tap on the front door and when Lizzie went to open the door Madame Joubert informed her that it was likely to be Nina her neighbour. On hearing all about her fall, Nina insisted she help out and that Lizzie should get back to her business and family.

Once she’d climbed into bed that night, Lizzie reflected on her day sipping a milky hot chocolate in the hope it would help her sleep. Feeling drowsier, Lizzie sank into the soft white duvet much more relaxed but at the same time excited for what was to come. In just eight hours, they would be opening one of the leading beauty salons in the south of France. It was the dream she and Sophie had created over five years ago. Lizzie looked forward to seeing Sophie’s parents again, who would be arriving for the launch of Beaute Dedans. She hoped that one day her mother would be well enough to witness what she and Sophie had achieved.

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.