Chapter 41
Liz woke up on Monday morning to the smell of toast and coffee. It took her a moment to remember where she was. When she did, she gave a happy smile, got up and made for the shower. Standing under the power shower in Guy’s bathroom, she thought about Sunday’s events.
After everyone had left and the retreat was officially over, she and Guy had taken it easy for the rest of the day, enjoying each other’s company.
Getting to know each other with no interruptions.
Although she knew Guy was on tenterhooks hoping Leon would contact him, he’d mostly hidden it well.
At one point, he’d looked at Liz anxiously.
‘Do you think he will ring or just turn up? Do either soon? Maybe today? The silence so far is hard to handle.’
Liz had shaken her head. ‘I don’t know, but I am sure he will contact you when he’s ready and has the time.’
At some point in the day, she’d packed up her room downstairs, Guy had carried her suitcase upstairs and she’d moved into his room.
Sunday evening dinner had been what she called a fridge dinner, using up leftovers.
The leftovers in Guy’s fridge, though, were a step up on those that were usually in her fridge at home.
The two of them had eaten at the tiny table on the roof terrace before deciding an early night was in order, although sleep had not been on either of their minds.
Dressing quickly, Liz ran downstairs and joined Guy in the kitchen. ‘Good morning. I was about to bring you coffee and toast in bed.’
‘For your future information, coffee is fine, but I’m not a great eater of toast in bed,’ Liz said. ‘The crumbs get everywhere.’
‘Duly noted,’ Guy said. ‘Only coffee will be served in bed in future.’
‘Do we have any plans for today?’
‘I need to go and see Sandy sometime today or tomorrow,’ Guy said. ‘But nothing is set in stone. I’m just hoping today will be the day, you know…’ his voice trailed away. ‘And then after I’ve met Leon, I can start to make plans.’
Liz put her arms around him. ‘I’m happy to just mooch around, go for a walk along the front. Have lunch somewhere.’
Guy put his arms around her and hugged her back. ‘We can do that. I was also thinking that I – we – could WhatsApp video my dad. Tell him our news at least.’
‘What news might that be?’ Liz said, smiling at him.
‘That you and I are going to be together for ever and ever,’ Guy said, kissing her. ‘And when he’s heard that happy news, I’ll tell him about Leon.’
‘There are a few logistics in our way to overcoming the first bit,’ Liz said quietly. ‘Like location, location, location.’
‘Nothing that can’t be overcome. Let’s phone Dad now,’ Guy said, taking his phone out of his pocket and pressing a preset number. They both listened to it ringing and ringing and Guy was getting concerned.
‘Good grief, boy, d’you know what time it is here? Barely seven o’clock.’
‘Dad, I’m so sorry, I completely forgot the time difference.’
‘Apology accepted. Not like you to make a mistake like that – so what’s up? And who is the young lady standing next to you? Good morning, my dear.’
‘Good morning, Mr Lyon,’ Liz said.
‘I’m Edwin to family and friends and as you must be a friend of Guy’s to be with him at this hour of the morning, you can call me Edwin.’
‘Thank you… Edwin,’ Liz said, feeling a little embarrassed at his straightforward acceptance of her being with Guy at such an early hour. ‘It’s lovely to meet you.’
‘This is Liz James, my new forever partner,’ Guy said quietly.
There was a short silence and Liz anxiously studied the face on the screen that was looking at her equally anxiously.
Finally, Edwin gave a nod. ‘Yes. When do I get the pleasure of meeting you in person, Liz?’
‘Very soon,’ Guy said. ‘But I have more news as well. News that I planned on telling you on a visit because it’s going to be a shock even though it’s wonderful news, but I’m not sure when I’m going to be able to get over to Dorset.
And it’s not news I want to keep a secret. So face to face on video it has to be.’
‘After that build-up you’d better spill it out. Do I need to sit down?’
‘Probably,’ Liz answered. ‘It would be for the best. It is pretty major news.’
They both watched the screen and saw Edwin pull a kitchen chair out and sit down.
‘Go on then.’
Guy took a deep breath. ‘An old girlfriend of Jake’s came to see me this week.
She and Jake were in a relationship when he died.
’ Guy paused, watching his father closely, saw him close his eyes and take a breath before opening them, waiting for Guy to continue.
‘Jake didn’t know, but she was pregnant.
You have a grandson called Leon, who is thirty-four years old. ’
Edwin’s eyes widened. Guy watched and waited for his father to speak. His voice was shaky when he did.
‘Have you met him?’
‘No, not yet. Liz has, though.’
‘He’s a lovely boy – man,’ Liz assured Edwin.
‘Do we have to do DNA tests? Make sure she’s telling the truth. What’s her name?’ Edwin’s voice was gruff now. Liz suspected he was close to tears.
‘Joan Mitchell. She’s offered to arrange DNA tests, but she also tells me Leon is the image of Jake. So when I meet him…’ Guy’s voice trailed away.
‘When will that be?’
‘No idea, but I expect some time soon. He’s here on a yacht in Antibes,’ Guy said quietly.
‘He works on the yachts?’
Guy nodded. ‘He’s a yacht engineer.’
There was a short silence. Guy watched his father anxiously. Had it been a mistake to not be with him when he broke the news about Leon? He let out a sigh of relief, when a smile broke across Edwin’s face.
‘Sounds like he’s inherited Jake’s genes with a love of the sea,’ Edwin said. ‘Bring him home soon, I need to think about what this means. An unknown grandson turning up. Never in a thousand years did I expect that.’ Edwin shook his head. ‘Call me later?’
‘Of course,’ Guy said.
‘And, Liz, I look forward to meeting you properly soon.’
‘I plan on bringing both of them to Dorset as soon as I can. Take care, Dad. Bye,’ Guy said. But his father had ended the call. ‘I hope the emotional shock of that news wasn’t too much for him,’ he said, looking anxiously at Liz.
‘I think the news was a shock, but he looked happy about it,’ Liz said. ‘I think he’s probably absorbing the fact that he’s been a grandfather all these years without knowing. Lots of catching up to do.’