The Vineyard (28 page)

‘Ok, yes. We will know more and you can decide from there,’ her mother agreed.

Lizzie tried to keep the conversation lighter as they enjoyed the rest of their meal and she discovered more about Michael, his family and his photography. Caroline relished hearing about Sophie and their expansion of her business. There was still so much they had to learn about each other but Lizzie was happy to be enjoying her mother’s company. As they meandered home, they linked arms.

‘Thank you darling.’ Her mother kissed her on the cheek. ‘That was really special,’ she said, wiping her eyes with a tissue from her sleeve. ‘It has really helped to have you and Thierry here. I have never felt so alive since you came home and then you told me about Thierry. I feel encouraged and invigorated. I feel sure I can fight this out of me.’

‘You do that mum,’ Lizzie said as they reached Caroline’s house. Thierry and Cal were in the kitchen. Thierry ran up to greet them both.

Caroline sat down and hugged her grandson. ‘Hello, my sweet. Mummy and I have had a fabulous lunch and I expect you are hungry?’

‘That little man hasn’t stopped,’ Cal said, breaking him up some chocolate. ‘He’s had fish fingers, chips, spaghetti, an apple and oh, a muffin, and now this.’

‘Thierry, that’s a lot of food, you’ll go pop.’ Lizzie grinned and Thierry gave her a wide smile.

Caroline brushed his hair away from his eyes and looked up at Cal. ‘Cal, thank you so much for looking after him. And all of us. It has been you that has been instrumental in bringing my Lizzie and my darling Thierry here.’ Tears cascaded from her eyes. ‘I can’t thank you enough Cal. I’m sorry, I’m feeling rather emotional. Excuse me.’

‘Please, Caroline. I was just there by coincidence.’

Lizzie ran up gave her mother a deserved warm hug. Cal, feeling it right to give them a few minutes, turned to join Thierry, pulling out a mat for his cars and playing with him on the floor.’

‘These things are sometimes more than just chance,’ Caroline added.

***

As soon as Lizzie clapped eyes on her mother that Tuesday morning, she knew she hadn’t slept. She’d heard her up early and decided it was best to leave her alone with her thoughts. Nonetheless, she woke Thierry early and got him washed and dressed so that he could go downstairs and keep his grandmother company. If anyone could lift her spirits on this day of reckoning, it would be Thierry. Lizzie instructed him to go down the stairs, which he had quite mastered now, and give Grandma a big kiss and tell her he loved her. Lizzie followed him down and peeked in.

Caroline was at the kitchen table on what Lizzie guessed was her third or fourth cup of coffee and was slouching wearily when her face instantly brightened as her grandson appeared. She beamed lovingly as he entered the room in his the bright green crocodile slippers. Barely as tall as the old oak table he shuffled up to her and she immediately held out her arms.

‘Good morning my darling,’ she said softly as she lifted him to her lap.

He knelt up, throwing his arms around her neck, and kissed her slap bang on her lips and said, ‘Love you Grandma.’

‘Oh Grandma loves you too, my sweet. Ooh you are the most…gorgeous, gorgeous boy,’ she said, squeezing him as tightly as she dared. Lizzie held on to her sniffle, retreating quietly on tip-toe back up the stairs, only letting go as she reached the bathroom.
Well done Thierry.

Cal came in the back door at ten o’clock. Lizzie and her mother stood by the table ready to go to the hospital whilst Thierry ran up to Cal with his cars.

‘Hi little fella, let’s go and play with your cars. Ladies,’ he said, looking rather dishevelled and, Lizzie thought, rather sexy. ‘I bid you good morning and with all my heart wish you all the best.’ Thierry was then pulling him by the hand to his car mat.

‘Thank you so much Cal. We’ll see you later,’ Caroline replied and Lizzie smiled at him and kissed her son.

‘We’ll get back as soon as we can – don’t fret, if we decide to go to lunch I’ll text you.’

‘You don’t have to worry,’ Cal assured them. ‘We play and eat pizza – we’re simple souls, aren’t we T?’

Getting her mother in the car, Lizzie asked ‘Are you ok Mum?’

‘Yes, fine. I am really very happy, worried, but happy.’

‘Good,’ Lizzie said, seating herself in the car.

‘If I do have to go through treatment or if I am now advanced, you must be strong,’ said her mother.

Lizzie fought back erupting tears. ‘I promise Mum,’ she said, leaning over and giving her mother a hug. ‘I’ve never felt the love for you that I feel right now. It’s good we had this chance to get back together and be a family. I’m so pleased Thierry has got a family.’

They then drove to the hospital in a comforting silence, each with their own inner reflections on the last few weeks and the contemplation of the next. In the hospital waiting room patients sat on the stripy upholstered benches, with only a small magazine table and a cool water dispenser filling the remainder of the room. Some patients came alone, some with a partner or close relative, usually a daughter, and then sometimes whole families were gathered around a patient, particularly the younger ones. Gradually, the three consulting rooms were filled then vacated. It was just a forty-five minute wait but it felt much longer. The consultant was a large man with sparse white hair and gold-rimmed glasses.

‘Mrs Lambert,’ he boomed as both Caroline and Lizzie entered his room. ‘I’m Simon Aires, I carried out your surgery. Please sit down.’ His right hand directed them to the two seats beside his desk.

‘Yes, Mr Aires, I remember.’

‘Well, it seems we have managed to cut out all the affected area but we will need to do more tests just to make sure. It’s quite a normal protocol so, although we consider the operation successful, it is best to carry out the tests four to six weeks later to ensure, no growth has slipped through the net. Is that understood Mrs Lambert?’

‘Does that mean I don’t have to have any treatment?’ Caroline stammered nervously ‘like...like Chemotherapy or Radio Therapy?’

‘We can’t say for sure yet. I should wait until the oncologist has made a report because sometimes they can recommend some treatment to make sure the disease is contained.’

‘So we have no definitive answers yet but what you’re saying is the operation was as successful as you could have hoped?’ Lizzie reiterated

‘That’s correct.’ The consultant smiled looking down over his glasses at them both, gently nodding his head. ‘We will know more in four to six weeks once you’ve had further tests. You’ll get a letter with the details.’

‘Is there anything my mother can do to help herself recover?’

‘Just stay fit and healthy to strengthen your immune system. Eat healthily. I’ve arranged your tests. You will get dates from each department in the post in the next week. The nurses from the oncology centre will be keeping in touch with you for most of your needs and they will guide you on all the day-to-day care and support you need.’

‘Thank you.’ Caroline shook the doctor’s hand, followed by Lizzie as he led them out.

Driving back in the car, Caroline began to take her news in. ‘That’s good news isn’t it.’

‘It couldn’t be better Mum,’ Lizzie claimed.

‘I’m so lucky they have caught it in time.’ An excitement elevated her mother’s voice. ‘I know nothing is a hundred percent certain just now, but like you said, there is no point in worrying until you have to.’

‘That’s right. Live life to the full Mum and take each day as it comes! “Dance as if nobody is watching!” I don’t know who said that but, apply it.’

‘Do you know what Lizzie, I am going to do that. I may even come to Cannes - when it cools down a bit though.’

***

The atmosphere in the house became lively and light again. Michael was waiting when they returned and Lizzie watched as they embraced lovingly like newlyweds. Cal brought out from the fridge, a bottle of his finest sparkling wine and celebrations began. Michael and Lizzie chatted, getting to know one another better.

‘I know you and your mother discussed this but I’ll be around if you need some time at home in France Lizzie,’ Michael offered.

‘Yes darling,’ Caroline chipped in. ‘Really. You don’t need to stay. Michael will be here. Not that I want you to go, I know I will miss you and Thierry, but I know you have lots…’

‘Ok, as I know you’re in capable hands. Let me see how we get on with Anton and sorting things out. It may take a while. I may need to stay on and supervise some of the work at the new salon but I can come back here and then get back for the launch. Sophie will be working part time so I will have to take over some of the work.’

‘I think you have given me far more of your time already, you have your life to be getting on with Lizzie, please? You have been a rock while I have been through a difficult time but you can’t put your life on hold.’

‘Ok, I get the message. I’ll go with Cal, if that’s ok with him, but I will be back. I’ve written down in my diary your next appointments so, I will try to get back for those.’

‘Perfect,’ said Cal.

‘Well don’t worry about just coming back for a…bra fitting, that sort of thing. I can manage. Michael can take me,’ Caroline lowered her voice.

Meanwhile Cal was topping up the champagne flutes. ‘Well, I think we should have a toast,’ he said, ‘To good health, happiness and a brighter future for all – that includes good luck with Anton Lizzie,’ he added.

‘Thanks, I’ll need it!’ she said, raising her glass.

Chapter 29

After saying their goodbyes to her mother and seeing her mother’s tears when she said goodbye to Thierry, the journey back through France began in silence. It had been an emotional and draining start. As soon as they got through the channel tunnel, Thierry went back to sleep.

Lizzie and Cal chatted about how happy Caroline was with Michael and also how brilliant it was now they were all a family again. Lizzie however, was tense. She had wanted to speak to Cal for a while and this seemed the perfect opportunity whilst they were alone, but she couldn’t muster up the courage, not yet, not until they got nearer to Cannes.

She tried to relax, pulling out some CDs from the side of the door. Her mind couldn’t switch off. Cal wouldn’t like what she was going to tell him but it had to be said. She switched her mind to Thierry, hoping to distract herself, but visions of Anton turning up at the salon and tormenting Sophie, or worse, finding out where she lived and pestering Marie-Claire, haunted her. She had to occupy her mind. She rang Sophie, who reported they were all fine of course, and as always, her friend was on top of things and continued to keep the salon engines turning. She’d also organised the paperwork ready for her to sign the lease contract for the Rue Antibes salon, which raised Lizzie’s mood somewhat, and they chatted a little about their ideas and the preliminary drawings which she had sketched.

She then listened to Cal, who, although driving, had occupied Thierry at intervals during the journey looking for cars, colours of cars, trucks and playing a limited game of eye spy. Then he started singing and Lizzie, joined in, filling in all the missing words, as well as thinking of new songs and activities. In all, the time passed quickly. They stopped at service stations, giving Thierry the opportunity to play in little park areas, to let off some steam, and for the night stayed in a convenient cheap hotel not far from the motorway.

As they continued the journey, Lizzie’s head was pounding. She hadn’t slept much and was still very much on edge contemplating the task ahead. Thierry was occupied with his favourite Thomas the Tank and some Fireman Sam DVDs Lizzie found on offer in the supermarket during the week. As they neared Cannes, Lizzie’s tension was palpable. As Cal came on to the last stretch of motorway, Lizzie braced herself as Thierry watched his DVD.

‘It’s been very good of you to help us all out Cal over these last few weeks, we really appreciate it.’

‘Are you feeling nervous about Anton? I’ve noticed you’ve been fidgety,’ he said, reaching across and gently sliding a hand onto hers. His touch pulsated straight through her veins, weakening her resolve. She closed her eyes momentarily.

‘Don’t Cal,’ she said, pushing back his hand. ‘There’s…something I want to ask, about us, I mean you. I have to ask because I need an honest answer.’ Her heart pounded and her throat grew rapidly parched. ‘Do you think not having your son, Jack, has left you emotionally scarred?’

‘Strange question. No, why?’ he said, slowing the car and entering the inside lane of the motorway.

‘I feel there’s still so much I don’t know about you and, I…I am worried that you, how can I put this, might be filling a void, with Thierry I mean, that you, not having your own son in your life, are substituting Thierry.’

Lizzie watched Cal’s face as his eyes narrowed and he struggled to swallow.

‘What? I’m quite shocked that you think that, Lizzie,’ He replied. ‘That hurts in fact. How did you reach that conclusion?’

Lizzie turned her head away, peering out of her window. ‘It’s been eating away at me for…’

‘I liked you before I knew you had a son,’ he cut in, ‘That day I saw you in your mother’s kitchen, I knew you were special Lizzie.’ He shook his head. ‘I’m surprised.’

She now swallowed hard, turning back and seeing how much she’d hurt him. ‘I’m sorry, but I have to be honest and I’m just not sure about your motivation. I don’t want Thierry’s life, his future, wrecked because I made a mistake, a wrong judgement. I don’t know, maybe it’s me, with my history with men, I’m super wary or possibly over protective.’

‘I don’t hold that against you but I like Thierry for who he is, not because I crave a son. Yes I miss Jack and would have loved to have been involved in his life. I suppose I can relate to Thierry too because of the time I’ve spent with Jack. Lizzie, I promise, you can trust me...’

Lizzie rubbed her forehead. She’d obviously offended him. She sighed as he pulled out past a long vehicle into the outside lane.

‘How can I put my trust in anyone I don’t know well enough? I have to think of Thierry. What we have, had, together was good, but that’s how I feel. I can’t commit to something I don’t feel is right.’