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.
‘Jesus, Thierry.’ She grabbed her clothes from the floor and dashed to his room. Nothing but an empty bed, and the curtains already pulled back. She scrambled into her jeans and top, unable to avoid looking out the window. The view of the sea was fantastic but this was not the time. She ran down the stairs in search of her son.
‘Oh thank God, there you are. Why didn’t someone wake me?’ she said as she raced into the kitchen.
‘Mummy,’ Thierry squealed as she reached the dining table and planted a kiss on his cheek, observing his concentration on one of his puzzles.
‘Good morning, sweet pea. Whoa, so sorry. Mummy woke up very late.’
Cal’s eyes brightened and he stood and greeted her with a quick kiss. ‘Truly, I did call you after I showered up but you must have been exhausted. There was no stirring whatsoever. I kept a check on Thierry until he woke about nine-thirty. He’s been quietly engrossed in the puzzles for the last half hour.’
Smiling sleepily, she then forced her puffy eyes to widen. ‘Thank you. I can’t believe the time.’
Kelly got to her feet. ‘Well, it’s still morning, albeit closer to lunch. What can I get you to eat, honey? I got a turkey club, bacon and avocado, pulled pork and slaw, lobster with mayo or melted butter?’
Lizzie scratched her head. ‘Oh phew, just a coffee for the moment, thanks. In fact, you sit down, I’ll get it.’
‘Nonsense, hon! I’ll get it. I’ll take one in for Jack’s tutor too. You won’t want another coffee yet will you, Cal? I know it’s been playing havoc with your digestion.’
Lizzie shot Cal a frown. Since when, she wondered.
Cal shrugged with a surprised look on his face. ‘As Jack doesn’t have a class tomorrow, shall we tour the island or, we can go to Martha’s Vineyard?’
‘Entirely up to you. It would be nice to have a walk along the beach today. What time does Jack finish?’
‘He’ll finish at twelve and can do his homework when we come back,’ Kelly said.
‘Won’t you be picking Harry and Bea up? We can find our way around, especially as Jack will be with us.’
‘No it’s fine. I doubt a walk out here will take more than a couple of hours.’
Lizzie scratched an invisible mark on her eyelid as she glared at Cal. Alarm mounted on his face.
‘Kelly. I haven’t seen Lizzie for a whole week. Would you mind if we took the boys alone?’
Her hand shot up as her jaw slumped. ‘Yeah, right. Of course,’ Kelly said shooting her eyes in Lizzie’s direction.
The glare of indignation was palpable on Lizzie’s cheeks and sudden guilt almost led her to protest. It was probably best Cal should tell her now otherwise they may not get privacy all week. She could see the hurt in the woman’s eyes however and knew Kelly had made such an effort to make them all feel so welcome and comfortable. Lizzie soon found the perfect distraction. She glided over to the double doors leading out to the deck.
‘The views here are spectacular. Of course, arriving in the dark last night, I wasn’t prepared for all this.’ Her hand reached out in front of her. ‘The ocean on your doorstep and a huge sandy beach, it’s simply gorgeous.’
‘We are so blessed, yes,’ said Kelly slipping up beside her. ‘The surf here is great, and the sand, just so soft on the feet. And you wait until this evening. You will find it hard to beat the sunsets we have here. And I mean here. Right out on deck. It’s pretty romantic.’
‘Oh, I can’t wait. I’m a real sucker for a romantic sunset. Isn’t that right, Cal?’
Cal popped her a glance and a nod as he perched next to Thierry.
‘Well, that’s not all, the harbour and marina are not far away. You’ll enjoy it here, I guarantee it. There’s not too many people around this time of year either, hence the house being available.’
‘Yes, I was saying to Cal last night. I hope you will accept a payment from us, or me at least?’
Kelly flicked her long hair back. ‘Oh, honey, no, I couldn’t. I’m only too pleased that Jack has his father here, and Thierry. It’s an ideal distraction. I’m hoping,’ Kelly leant towards Lizzie hushing her voice, ‘Jack will go to the pool with Thierry. It will be a step forward, well, in respect of, you know, being in a public place with the possibility of bumping into people. It could increase his confidence couldn’t it?’
‘Oh, absolutely,’ Lizzie agreed. ‘I wouldn’t mention it to Thierry unless Jack is comfortable with it though. He’ll not let go once he gets wind of something.’
Kelly twisted her mouth, fixing her eyes on the vast blue of the sky and ocean. ‘Yes, I’m gonna see how Jack gets on in the next few days. Anyway, you must have something to eat before you go for your walk,’ she insisted.
Lizzie smiled as she turned to Cal. ‘Yes. Good thinking. Oh, what was the choice?’
The walk was everything Kelly had promised, glorious. A chilly breeze swept over the sand but it was great to feel the wind in her hair and the sun on her skin. Lizzie removed her shoes and let her feet sink into the soft sand on the shore as the waves bashed away repeatedly and mesmerisingly. Walking hand in hand with a barefoot Cal, his jeans rolled up, was refreshingly liberating, and dead romantic. Lizzie imagined she could almost be on a film set advertising the perfect getaway. And the boys, running and splashing on the edge of the water with their trousers also rolled up, was so endearing to watch. However British it appeared! Jack was obviously adept at keeping his younger siblings amused and was just so relaxed with her son.
