Читать книгу The Riviera - Karen Aldous - Страница 18

Chapter 9

By nine thirty the following day, they were at the car ready to leave to tour the island. Jack was holding Thierry’s turtle figure and climbing in as Lizzie secured Thierry in his seat. Cal was loading the back with coats and wellies. Kelly pulled up beside them and, appearing rather more made-up than yesterday, pulled out several grocery bags.

‘Good morning. Have you found the map? It’s behind Reuben’s chair.’

Cal nodded. ‘Yep.’

‘Good. I’ve brought you some fresh bread and milk, and I’ll prepare your dinner. I thought you’d enjoy a homemade chicken and ham pie.’

‘That’s very thoughtful, thank you,’ Cal told her. ‘I’m not sure what time we’ll be back though.’

‘Thank you, Kelly,’ Lizzie echoed.

‘Oh, no problem. You guys have a good day.’ Kelly dropped her bags and walked across to Jack. ‘How’s my boy this morning?’

‘Yes. All good, Mom. See you later then.’

‘Well, give your mom a squeeze.’ Kelly leant in and hugged Jack. ‘I love you, sweetheart. Have fun.’

Lizzie noted Jack shrug awkwardly as his mother shut the car door. Typical sixteen-year-old boy, she grinned to herself.

After a few hours of stopping off at beaches and lighthouses, they made a stop for lunch before heading for the whaling museum. Thierry couldn’t wait to see the giant skeleton of the sperm whale Jack had told him all about.

Whilst Thierry waited for his chicken nuggets and chips Lizzie pulled out some of his other figures from his small Superman rucksack. He began chatting to Jack about his super-heroes as he pulled out a Spider-Man, Superman and The Hulk.

‘They’re running,’ he motioned Superman to Jack.

Jack explained how many of them would run or fly to help people and save them. ‘They’re nice guys like my dad.’

‘Is Cal a super-hero?’ Thierry asked.

‘Yes, he’s my hero,’ Jack laughed.

‘Is my mummy a super-hero?’

‘Yes, she’s your super-hero. Wonder Woman maybe.’

‘Is your mummy Wonder Woman?’

‘No. She’s…’ Jack was suddenly aware that the adult ears and eyes were present. ‘Sometimes.’

‘Does your mummy fly?’

Lizzie started, aware her son was now embarrassing Jack. ‘Tell Jack how many super-heroes you have, Thierry? Count them. Ready, one, two…’

‘Three, four, five and Ironman. Mummy, where’s Ironman?’

‘In the bag, poppet, but look, here comes your lunch.’

After lunch Lizzie took Thierry out to the cloakroom.

Jack turned to his father. ‘He’s a really bright kid. Fun to be around. A shame they’re not staying longer.’

‘Yes,’ Cal smiled. ‘I’m glad you like each other.’

Leaning further in Jack said, ‘I can come to Europe. Dad, I’ll see more of you if I’m in London. I was talking to Robbie yesterday.’

Cal’s eyes narrowed. ‘I think we will have to sit down with your mom and work out a plan. My gut’s telling me it’s too soon for you to go to London.’

‘But Dad, I can stay with Robbie. Well, Robbie goes to LSE in the fall but his dad has already purchased an apartment.’

‘My point exactly. Robbie probably doesn’t even know for sure if he has a place at the LSE. He can’t know that yet. And besides, he’s put all the work in already to get his grades. This is the place we need to start at. Your mom and I will happily sit down with you so you can plan a path that’s right for you. If you’re still planning to be an architect, you’ve got to select the right courses and the best university colleges for you. Not Robbie. The best might be here or somewhere else in the UK.’

‘But I want to go to London. And soon. You know, I can finish the SATs there.’

‘Like I said before, get your SATs completed here and then we can help you decide.’

‘But, I don’t want to stay here… I need you here, Dad. I feel so much stronger with you here, I don’t want you to go. Not now. You’re a proper dad. Pops is rarely…’Jack paused. Thierry suddenly interrupted, rushing up to him holding up the action hero Spider-Man to his face. ‘Can we at least stay at the beach house when they go?’

Cal looked up as Lizzie snatched his heart just simply gliding back into her chair. He had the three people he loved and cared about right here before him, and it all appeared so perfect. What were Jack’s chances of securing his grades if he went to Europe? Jack certainly looked brighter and chirpier than last week but was it really all resting on him? Was he key here in determining his son’s emotive state and future? Was this really what fatherhood was all about? Making sacrifices? How would Lizzie react if he told her his son needed him more than her for at least the next few months? Would she accept it? Although he couldn’t bear the thought of being so far apart from her, Jack would have to take precedence. And he couldn’t expect Lizzie to stay here, May was her busiest month. It was tough on his new venture too, but, he told himself, he could hopefully weather some of that with Jes’s help. This however, would need some delicate handling.

He was ushered back to the table with Lizzie’s hand waving in his eyes. ‘Hello. Are we going to see this whale?’

‘Yes, let’s go,’ Cal said zipping up his jacket. ‘Ready, guys?’

She buttoned up Thierry’s coat and took his hand. Then Thierry snatched it away and ran to Jack.

‘Hold Jack’s hand,’ he said sidling up to him and reaching up his tiny hand.

Lizzie reached for Cal’s. ‘You’ll have to do then.’

Hooking a strong arm around her shoulder, Cal placed a light kiss on her lips ‘It looks like we’re both surplus to his needs with Jack around.’

‘Isn’t it great they get along?’

‘It’s just perfect. I wish we could all be together, permanently.’ He squeezed her.

Cal watched her breath escape and her mouth curl at the ends.

Squeezing his waist, she whispered, ‘Couldn’t you bring him home? A week or so over Easter.’

‘I’ll speak to Kelly.’

As they entered the old candle factory where the Whaling Museum was now housed, Thierry was immediately hooked by the skeletal displays of the gigantic sperm whales. He listened and asked questions as Jack led him round the museum. He was barely aware he was followed by Cal and Lizzie.

‘Oh, I think we may have a problem getting him back on the plane,’ Lizzie sighed.

Cal tightened his grip on her hand. ‘I’m sure he’ll be fine once he knows he’s going to see his gran on the way.’

‘I hope so. He’ll be leaving you and Jack. I hope he doesn’t get too upset. He’s really becoming attached.’ Lizzie twisted her mouth and blew a small sigh. ‘This is one of the reasons I was afraid to get involved with anyone. Oh God, this sounds selfish. I don’t mean it’s anyone’s fault and I know it’s only temporary. I just worry he will get hurt…’

Cal took a deep breath.

‘Lizzie, I’m not going to hurt him or you. I’ll do all I can to get back in a few weeks. I promise. We’ll tell Thierry the truth. That Jack has to stay here for a while with his tutor. He knows the tutor and has met him. I’m sure he’ll understand. He’s sharp. And he must know he’s loved.’

He tried to read her eyes. The green hues were stronger than ever today. She tucked her hair behind her ear which unsettled him. How was he to convince her that he would never mess with their lives?

Returning to the beach house, the aroma of Kelly’s chicken pie wafted under Lizzie’s nose as she climbed out of the car. A delicious homely smell full of love and comfort, yet Kelly playing wife and mother to them all, her man, her child, wasn’t lifting her mood. And she yearned to be alone with Cal.

Kelly appeared at the door, her long hair tied back but, her make-up freshly touched up.

‘Hi, you guys. Did you have a good day?’ she asked heading straight for Jack and holding out her arms, embracing her son. ‘Has this little man worn you out?’ she then said turning her attention to Thierry.

Jack grinned. ‘He’ll tell you all about the whales and the bones, that’s for sure.’

‘Oh, great. Come. I’ll get you all a drink. I hope you’ve all worked up an appetite too. I’ve baked an awesomely large pie. I hope you like it?’

Cal shot a glance at Lizzie. ‘Sounds amazing but we didn’t have lunch until late. A few hours yet perhaps.’

‘It does smell lovely though,’ Lizzie assured her, watching Kelly’s face twitch.

‘I’ll keep it on low for now. I’m sure it won’t spoil,’ she said heading for the kitchen.

Once in the house, Lizzie settled down on the floor at the coffee table with Thierry taking out his pad and pens from his bag. She drew him some whales and fishes which he tried to copy. Cal sat across from them on the sofa resting his socked feet on the footstool, and burrowing his head against a cushion. He winked at her as he watched them both and within minutes, Lizzie smiled as his eyes began to drop. She guessed all the fresh air had tired him out. And he’d had a tiring week.

Thierry then snuggled up to her and, stroking his hair, Lizzie’s eyes sank wearily into a contented slumber.

Just moments later, Kelly breezed in carrying a tray piled with pastries. ‘I thought I’d bake some of your favourites, Cal. I just know you won’t be able to resist one of these bad boys; cinnamon whirls with fresh cream.’

At once, eyes pinged on Kelly.

‘I’d love one but I’m saving my appetite for chicken pie. After dinner perhaps,’ Cal told her as his eyelids rolled back shut.

Lizzie managed a smile. ‘I think the fresh air has knocked us all out.’ And her lids fell under the weight of tiredness.