Chapter 31
The barbeque and pizza oven created a real party atmosphere over the terrace and garden at Villa Celestia that evening.
Guy had set up a French jazz playlist in the background and Sandy opened bottles of Prosecco to toast Helena’s birthday, even though she wasn’t there.
Romain arrived with Twiggy, who immediately attached herself to Sandy, and Romain wandered over to Guy to give him a hand with the barbeque, whilst Zoe was in charge of the pizza oven.
Isobel sipped her Prosecco and glanced at Liz.
‘It’s a cliché we would never use in any of our books of course,’ Isobel laughed.
‘But I have to say, Guy Lyon is rather dashing – a real live silver fox. If only I was a few years younger and not happily married,’ she raised her eyebrows suggestively.
‘As it is, you are the lucky recipient of his charms.’
‘Stop it,’ Liz said, her gaze not leaving Guy, who was talking animatedly to Romain.
There were more and more times when she caught glimpses of the real Guy, the one she was already fond of.
The one who was endowed with more charisma than any man was really entitled to.
The one she knew she would like to know more in another life.
But what was the point? She lived in England and he lived in France.
‘He is rather wonderful,’ she confessed quietly.
‘I could easily fall in love with him if things were different.’
‘Does he feel the same about you?’
‘It’s difficult to tell. He has said I’m his new best friend, though.
’ Liz shook her head. ‘Neither of us is looking for a new relationship, but I think I’m probably more ready for one than he is, but any relationship between us is doomed from the start anyway with us living in different countries.
’ She took a bite from the beef burger she’d chosen and chewed thoughtfully.
‘We all know long-distance relationships rarely work. The old cliché absence makes the heart grow fonder isn’t necessarily true. ’
‘The English Channel isn’t that wide and there’s always a way round problems,’ Isobel said. ‘You’ve both just got to be brave enough to find and take it. Think of it like a plot block that you’ve got to solve.’
‘If only.’ Liz laughed.
Becky, cuddling a happy Twiggy, wandered over to join them. ‘Isn’t Twiggy gorgeous? I think I might ask Xavier to buy me a puppy. He’s always asking me what he can buy me, other than clothes and jewellery. I was wondering whether you’ve had time to read my stuff yet?’
Isobel sighed and glanced at Liz. ‘It’s not a genre I read or write, but honestly?’
Becky nodded.
‘Step away from AI and write from the heart about what you know or can learn. AI has no place in fiction.’
Becky looked at Liz. ‘Do you think the same?’
‘Your agent is likely to tell you the same if you do send it to her. No reputable publisher will look at it.’ Liz hesitated. ‘To be honest, the only way to write a book is to pour your heart and soul into it. No AI, just blood, sweat and tears all the way.’
Becky sighed and kissed the top of Twiggy’s head. ‘Lorraine and Sandy both said much the same. I’m beginning to think I’m not cut out to be a novelist. Thank you for reading,’ and Becky turned away and left them.
Isobel glanced at Liz. ‘Sometimes I feel, not sorry exactly for Becky, but sad. Despite a busy social life, she doesn’t seem to know who she really is, or what she truly wants out of life.’
‘How many of us did, though, at her age? She’s what – late twenties? Sometimes it takes longer to discover what truly makes you happy,’ Liz said her gaze turning to Guy who was laughing at something Romain had said.
* * *
Later that evening, Sandy was standing talking to Guy and Romain when she brought up the subject of the retreat’s last evening dinner on the coming Saturday.
‘I haven’t booked anywhere yet,’ she said, looking at Guy.
‘Is there any chance you would reconsider doing the last evening meal here? I know you said no originally but…’ She stopped talking and waited.
‘Happy to do it,’ Guy said. ‘Sorry I was a bit off in the beginning.’
Sandy gave a happy sigh. ‘You will? Thanks, Guy. Your meals this fortnight have all been delicious, they’ve made a big contribution to the success of this particular retreat – which is going to be the last for a while.’
‘Aren’t you back at Pierre and Miranda’s place next month?’
‘Sadly, no. They’ve decided to sell up and don’t want occupied bedrooms when potential buyers are looking around,’ Romain said.
‘You’ll find somewhere else though, won’t you?’ Guy said. ‘You can’t allow something like that to close your business.’
‘Don’t have a lot of choice in the matter. Looks like we’ll be taking the summer off and villa hunting, but it’s not going to be easy finding something that fits the mortgage the bank are prepared to offer us,’ Romain said.
‘I’m sure something will turn up,’ Guy said.
As the evening drew to a close and everyone drifted off, Sandy saw Guy and Liz standing close together eyes only for each other. ‘Mmm,’ she said nudging Romain. ‘Those two look happy. I wonder…’
* * *
Leon was quiet as the taxi drove along the bord de mer towards Villa Celestia to collect Helena and Mandy.
He wanted to ask his mother questions, lots of questions, about her first visit to Antibes and about the signet ring.
The signet ring that was still on the chain around her neck.
Who had given it to her? It was rare to see a woman wearing a signet ring, they were usually very masculine.
Was the old friend who had given it to her a man?
Possibly even his father? Leon remembered how quickly Joan had closed the subject down as if she regretted him seeing the ring.
Neither of his parents had ever talked to him about his dead biological father in any detail.
But then he hadn’t pressed hard for details either, not when he was young, nor in recent years, as he hadn’t wanted to upset either of them.
Recently, though, a desire to know who he was exactly had lodged in his mind.
Maybe because he was getting older, thinking about settling down, even having his own family, he felt the need to be able to explain his complete family history, to know where he came from.
He needed to be able to say something more than, ‘My mum was a single mum and Dad adopted me when he married her.’ Knowing only that his father had died before he was born was no longer enough.
Leon smothered a sigh. Tonight wasn’t the night to start asking awkward questions and demanding answers, it would only spoil Helena’s birthday and he didn’t want that on his conscience any more than he wanted to upset his mother.
Tomorrow night, though, it was his own birthday dinner.
Maybe he could gently tease some information from Joan without upsetting anyone. He could only try. And try he would.
Helena and Mandy were waiting for them as the taxi drew up outside Villa Celestia and they were soon driving along the coast road in the direction of Juan-les-Pins.
Leon looked at Joan. ‘I think I know where you are taking us. Good choice, Ma.’
‘Shh.’ Joan placed her finger against her lips. ‘I hope so. It’s part of your birthday celebration too. Mandy and I are happy to be celebrating with you both.’
Five minutes later, the taxi drew up outside Hotel Belles Rives and Leon looked at his sister. ‘We are in for a special evening. By the way, your necklace is lovely.’
‘Birthday present from Teddy, which, just so you know, makes it extra special,’ Helena said. ‘Tonight is not the time,’ she added quietly. ‘But you owe me an explanation.’
Leon nodded. So finally there was something serious going on between the two of them other than the friendship they’d had all their lives. It seemed he and Teddy were destined to be brothers-in-law as well as best mates. Next time he saw Teddy he’d be having words for keeping him out of the loop.
‘I’m truly happy for you both,’ Leon murmured in Helena’s ear as they got out of the taxi and she flashed him a brilliant smile.
Walking into the elegant lobby of the hotel, both Helena and Mandy smothered gasps.
‘It’s so beautiful,’ Helena said, gazing around as they were shown into the Fitzgerald Bar. ‘So much art, I love the art deco styling, that grand piano. It’s wonderful. So evocative of the nineteen twenties.’
‘As for the view,’ Joan said. ‘Unforgettable.’
The word unforgettable was to sum up the whole evening for all of them, especially for Helena the birthday girl.
Sitting on one of the many terraces with their white tableclothed tables and blue chairs looking out over the azure sea in front of them, she kept pinching herself.
It was such a stunning environment to enjoy a special delicious meal.
The view out across the bay towards the red Estérel mountains as the sun was setting was breathtaking.
* * *
The taxi taking them from Juan-les-Pins back to Villa Celestia was quiet. Everybody was lost in their own thoughts of a wonderful experience.
Back at the villa, Joan looked at Leon. ‘You happy to walk back to my hotel with me if I pay off the taxi?’
‘Of course,’ Leon said.
They all walked into the hallway and waited as Helena ran through to the garden to see if anyone was still out there, but although the smell of the barbeque was lingering in the air, there was no one around. ‘Sorry, Mum, everyone seems to have disappeared.’
But Joan didn’t appear to hear her. She was standing transfixed in front of the bookcase.
Helena nudged her arm. ‘Mum, are you okay?’
Joan came to with a start. ‘Yes, I’m fine. Too much to drink tonight, I think. The walk back to my hotel in the fresh air will clear my head. See you tomorrow.’
‘Thank you for such a memorable birthday,’ Helena said, hugging her tightly, before turning to Leon.
‘Thank you and thanks for arranging one of the best birthday surprises ever. But don’t think you’re off the hook over Teddy.
’ As she moved away, she whispered in his ear, ‘Make sure Mum is all right when you leave her. She seems a bit strange right now.’
Leon nodded.
After waving Joan and Leon goodbye, Helena and Mandy sat out on the terrace talking about the evening.
‘That was some hotel,’ Mandy said. ‘Makes me long for a time machine to go back to that era. Imagine bumping into all those famous writers and other people: F. Scott Fitzgerald, the Hemingways, Dorothy Parker, Cole Porter, Noel Coward. I bet some of the parties when it was Fitzgerald’s private residence were wild. ’
Helena nodded. ‘It’s certainly a special place.’ She glanced at Mandy. ‘Did you find Mum a bit absent tonight? She did say earlier today that she had a lot on her mind.’
‘Your mum was as lovely as ever,’ Mandy said. ‘A little tired when we got back maybe. It was lovely of Leon to think of asking her to join you down here. Pity he’s not able to spend more time with her.’
* * *
‘I can’t believe you will be gone in three and a half days,’ Guy said quietly as he and Liz sat up on the terrace.
‘Neither can I, to be honest,’ Liz said. ‘It’s gone quickly – especially once I got my writing mojo back. You and Villa Celestia certainly helped with that,’ she said, glancing at him. ‘It’s a special place.’
Guy nodded. ‘It is. And I’ve got to decide what to do with it.’
‘Do with it? Won’t you re-open it as a restaurant with rooms when we’ve all left?’
Guy shook his head. ‘I’m not sure I want to do that any more. The question is – what do I do instead? And where do I do it?’
‘Do you have to decide in a hurry?’
‘No, but I need, and I want, to get my life back to some sort of normality. The months before the retreat were mostly spent in despair about the way Jacqueline died and feeling that life was over for me too.’ He caught hold of Liz’s hand. ‘Those feelings have gone since I met you,’ he said quietly.
Liz felt him gently squeeze her hand as she gave him a small smile. ‘Sometimes the answer is to simply step back and let time come up with the answer.’
Guy nodded thoughtfully. ‘True. Before Sandy asked me to host the retreat, I was thinking of selling up and travelling the world, no ties, no one special in my life. But then you arrived. And changed the way I was thinking. Will you come back and stay with me here? Can I visit you in England?’
‘I’d love to come and stay with you,’ Liz said. ‘And I’d love to show you around Devon.’
‘It’s a plan,’ Guy said.
‘Definitely,’ Liz agreed. ‘And now I’d better go and get some sleep. Are you going to walk me home?’
‘Of course.’
At the bottom of the stairs, Liz turned to him. ‘You are a very special person, Guy, I’m glad I’ve helped you lose your feelings of despair.’ And standing on tiptoe, she reached up to give him a gentle kiss before she turned and went to her room.