The Riviera (27 page)

Still unable to digest Lizzie’s reaction, he rapidly reasoned he shouldn’t even try. He let his eyelids drop. Didn’t he have feelings too? Jack needed his attention, Kelly demanded, albeit failed, but the pressure got intense, exhausting at times, especially without her by his side, but Lizzie hadn’t grasped that. Where had he gone so wrong? He could even forgive her for not being there at those times when he’d felt so alone; isolated in each decision about Jack, the house, the vines. She had pressures too. He understood the salon demanded her time in the height of the season. Thierry needed his mother, and he was sympathetic, guilty even, at having to be apart from her for such a long time. But wasn’t it quite reasonable to expect some reciprocation, some support, rather than irrational false allegations? This relationship really wasn’t panning out as he’d hoped. He wasn’t here to take on everyone’s problems. Lizzie’s paranoia was totally unwarranted, manipulative even. All he needed was to feel he could have someone to rely on, a hearth to come home to, and, possibly, to warm himself on. And that was so far from reality. He rubbed his eyes and sat up, returning his feet to the stained carpet covering the floor. He would certainly miss Lizzie and Thierry but he’d had enough anxiety and heartache to deal with, he would explode if he had to contend with any more.

He’d just zipped up the bag when there was a knock at the door.

‘Dad,’ he heard Jack call.

He opened the door and Jack stepped in.

‘Dad, what’s this all about? We couldn’t believe it when you rang. Marie-Claire has gone home. What happened?’

Cal sat down on the chair next to the bed. ‘To be honest, I don’t know. Lizzie flipped. She seems to think your mom and I have been having an affair.’

‘An affair? Jesus, Dad, why does she think that?’

Cal couldn’t admit to Jack it sparked from his innocent comment. ‘Oh, we were just talking and she got the wrong idea. I don’t think I explained or communicated it very well. I don’t know. I think we’re both tired.’

Jack sat on the edge of the bed. ‘But she couldn’t be any further from the truth. I…I mean, you’ve hardly seen her.’

Cal looked at his son with a frown. ‘I know that, but I think she may have got herself wound up about it. That’s all I can think of. What else is there to think?’

‘Well, I can tell her you’ve…’

‘Jack. Please don’t get involved. I know you can tell her, but the last thing I’d want is for you to fall out with her and Thierry. Things may get said one of you will regret. Leave it to Lizzie and me to sort out. To be honest, as much as I love her,’ he said, shaking his head from side to side, ‘I just don’t have the energy at the moment. And, with her long days at the salon right now, neither does she.’

‘But she’s wrong, Dad. You don’t deserve this. You were looking out for me, that’s all. I don’t like to see you hurt.’

‘I know, son, but relationships work primarily on trust. Look, can we talk about this tomorrow? I’m really knackered. I hope you don’t mind me booking you a separate room. I’ll sort out the rest of your stuff tomorrow. I think I might have left your other bag there.’

‘Yes sure, Dad. Are you sure you’re OK?’

‘Yes. I just need to sleep.’

‘Dad.’ Jack threw his arms around Cal’s shoulders. ‘You’re the best dad in the world. I want you to know that. I love you, Dad. If there’s anything I can do, you let me know.’

Choked, Cal took his son’s hand. ‘Jack. I couldn’t ask any more. You are the best and I love you too. Just stay strong, son. I’ll be fine.’ He added a friendly slap on the top of Jack’s hand.

Jack looked down and leaned across for his bag.

‘Here’s the key. It’s just next door. Sorry it’s not the Grande, but I suspect the best hotels are all full.’

He said goodnight at the door and watched as Jack opened his door and waited for him to go in. Taking a small bottle from the mini-bar he poured the whisky into a tumbler and held it in his hand to warm. Pride still swelled in his heart as he lay on the bed. Jack had really matured.

As he sipped the semi-chilled liquor, the cutting reality of his action hit him. Should he have been so hasty walking out? The only woman he had ever loved and he had just walked away. But she was convinced he’d done wrong and nothing he said was going to change that. What were the alternatives? Of course he did the right thing. Yes. He could still be there now arguing but would it have made any difference? They would have just thrown harmful words back and forth, sabotaging the relationship further. There was no point in arguing with someone in a totally irrational frame of mind. What she was saying was pure invention, and so totally out of character, he wasn’t in any frame of mind to deal with it. He was still trying to sort out one teenager, he didn’t need another. He finished his drink.

It was Jack knocking on his door at eight that woke him.

‘Sorry, Dad. I didn’t know what to do about breakfast,’ Jack said as Cal pulled back the door. ‘I didn’t know if the hotel…’

‘Yes. I did book it. Give me a minute, I’ll come with you.’

Cal slipped on his clothes. ‘I’ll come back and shower.’

The hotel appeared more dated and lacked light in the daylight but it was clean and the display of food certainly looked appetising.

As they ate, Jack asked the inevitable. ‘How are you feeling this morning?’

‘I don’t know,’ Cal answered truthfully. ‘My heart is in one place, my head in another. In all honesty, I don’t want to talk about it. Maybe if she calms down. I’m not mentally equipped right now, so it’s best I just stay out of her way. So, let’s change the subject.’

‘You will face her though, Dad. At least?’

Cal forced a smile, lowering his eyes. Touché, he thought. ‘Ouch!’ He half-nodded. ‘I need time. You get on as well with Thierry as I do, and Marie-Claire. I wouldn’t wish to compromise your friendships. You should continue to see them. Let Lizzie and I sort ourselves out.’

‘Yeah, they’re both awesome and so is Lizzie. I’m pretty sure she just needs some chill time.’

‘Wise words, master Jack. Anyway, will you help me at the house today?’

‘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.’