to the salon when they have their own spa at the hotel. Do you think they’ve suspected for a while?’
‘No, Anton would have questioned you before. Perhaps they don’t want to be that intimate with their own staff.’
‘Maybe their staff refuse to treat them more like. I don’t have contact with her if I can help it.’
‘Or it could simply be she likes the best.’ Sophie nudged her friend.
‘C’est vrai! Or, maybe she is Anton’s spy’. Lizzie raised her hand pretending to hold a magnifying glass.
‘Ha! Planning a grandchild snatch!’ Sophie mocked.
‘Well, they can think again. He’s my son. I’ve been controlled enough by my mother – I’d have been mad to have been sucked in to his lifestyle of drugs and paranoia. Hardly child-friendly.
‘Absolutely, you did the right thing.’
‘Yes, just me and Thierry. No Anton. No mother. We’ve managed this long. Well, I don’t know what I’d have done without you, of course. But I’m not going to give my witch of a mother any more of my precious time and I’m certainly not giving her the opportunity to start controlling Thierry’s life. Like I said, my only regret really is that Grandad didn’t meet Thierry and vice versa. They would have so loved one another.’ Lizzie made a sad face. ‘They were my main reason for going home. I’m sure anyone in their right mind wouldn’t have bothered returning to see a mother like mine. Thankfully, I have you.’ Lizzie blew a kiss as she looked lovingly at her friend. ‘It’s a shame we don’t live closer.’
‘Actually, I have some news on that score.’ Sophie’s voice brightened as she brought the dinner plates and placed them on the table, then looked up with a wide grin. ‘I have been accepted to lecture at the Nice University two days a week and can finally move south.’
‘Oh Sophie, that’s wonderful. All your hard work is paying off. All those years. I’m really, really pleased for you.’ Lizzie threw out her arms in an excited lunge towards her friend and squeezed her tight. ‘I’m so sorry it’s all been about me. We should be celebrating your good news. So, does that mean…?’
‘Yes. I can be your plastic surgeon and chief filler if you’ll still have me join Beaute Dedans?’
‘Oh my God, yes. I’ll go and get a bottle of bubbly’.
‘No need.’ Sophie opened the fridge and produced one. ‘I went out and bought one as soon as you said you were on your way. I didn’t know what you had just been through then though’.
‘All I can say is, thank God I have you. You are my family. We need to celebrate.’
The Champagne cork popped and sprang to the ceiling to both their delight and giggles.
‘I am so excited.’ Sophie squealed, pouring the sparkling nectar into two Champagne flutes.
‘Oh you know how to cheer up your best friend. That’ll be so amazing. We’ll be able to see much more of each other. Congratulations! Sante!’ They both lifted their glasses as joy replaced the tears. ‘Here’s to you, Dr Sophie Pitou, soon to be lecturer and, leading plastic surgeon in Cannes!’
‘Oh Lizzie it’s amazing. All those plans we had when we were in Meursault at the Campsite. Well, we are certainly getting closer to our dream and the university environment will help so I can keep up with research and development, trials and new ideas.’
‘I have every faith in you Dr Pitou.’
‘Thank you Ms Lambert I’m sure your make-up and beauty treatments will complement my procedures perfectly.’
‘Absolutely.’
The next morning, the alarm sounded at six and both girls woke with groggy heads. Sophie rushed to the shower whilst Lizzie made fresh coffee in the kitchen. ‘Oh I hope I haven’t made you late for work.’
‘No don’t be silly. I have plenty of time, I just need something to soothe the head.’
‘I have some paracetemol in my bag,’ Lizzie said, digging into her handbag and pulling out the packet.
‘Thanks. I’ll have just one please.’ Sophie popped the pill and sat quickly at the table.
‘I think I’ll take one too, otherwise I’ll have this all day.’
I’ve been thinking,’ Sophie started as she began sipping her cooling coffee. What if we spend some time together soon, the three of us, you me and Thierry? We can take a short break up in the hills, in Provence or something, later this month?’
‘Ahh! May is too busy for me, the salon will be bursting! We have the Film Festival, the music festivals, plus the Monaco Grand Prix. June would be better.’
‘Yes, of course. Well let me know when you can, before it gets too warm and before I move down. I have some leave to use up. We can take Thierry on some walks, get him used to some hiking, maybe even some camping,’ Sophie said excitedly.
‘Walking yes, camping no. Not until next year when he’s nearer four. I might as well enjoy a bit more luxury while I can. I’m sure he’ll love the camping though, like his mum and Aunty Sophie.’ Lizzie said recalling the vibration of excitement kids had at the campsite.
‘What child doesn’t like camping?’ Sophie said.
‘Well too much like hard work just now. I will book a hotel I know. You will love it, I know you will.’
‘Brilliant. I will be busy anyway handing over patients’ files and letting the apartment.’
‘Oh yes. I take it you’ve handed your notice in then?’
‘I finish officially in mid-July.’ Sophie stood up, beaming proudly.
‘Great. What about Guillaume?’
‘Well I haven’t officially served notice on him yet.’ She sat back down cradling her head. ‘I’m not looking forward to that.’
***
Thierry was cosily tucked up in bed when Lizzie arrived back at her Cannes apartment. She couldn’t resist spending a few hours with Sophie in Paris and, of course, doing a little shopping. Sophie managing a long lunch break. Thank God for Thierry’s nanny, or au pair really, Marie-Claire. She was such a gem and Lizzie counted herself lucky to have found her as she couldn’t have afforded to pay for full-time childcare. Not when she started out in Cannes. She entered Thierry’s room to watch her beautiful child lie sleeping so peacefully and so deliciously unaware of the previous few days’ events. She visualised her grandfather playing on the floor with her little boy just like he did with her. He would always get down to her level, physically and mentally. Although she was sure his agility would have waned. He just loved to have fun though, whether playing tea parties or being plastered in mother’s make-up, he didn’t complain.
He taught her lots too. He would read to her when she was small and, whilst her father was still working, he always made sure she understood her words and they would make a game of who would find a word in the dictionary first. His love of numbers was reflected in his fun ways to make her maths homework enjoyable
