Chapter 42
The text arrived about an hour later as Guy and Liz were discussing where to go for lunch and preparing to leave.
This is Leon Mitchell. Would it be convenient to come and see you this evening? Between eight and ten o’clock?
Guy immediately sent a message.
Yes. Come for supper at eight.
Thank you. See you then.
As the acceptance text pinged into his phone, Guy heaved a great sigh of relief. ‘Finally contact. Now to get through the rest of the day trying to keep my mind off this evening. Are you ready to go out?’
Liz nodded. ‘As ready as I’ll ever be – just need to grab my bag and hat. Where are we going?’
‘I thought we’d drive up to the medieval village of Mougins. Lots of good restaurants up there to choose from for lunch. And it’s a nice drive.’ Guy took the villa keys and a set of car keys off the keyboard in the kitchen. ‘And the bonus is you get a ride in my pride and joy.’
Guy’s pride and joy turned out to be a beautiful fully restored vintage ‘E’ type Jaguar. ‘I’ve never been in one of these,’ Liz said. ‘When you said your ambition was to own a top-of-the-range car, I never imagined it would be a vintage one too. It’s beautiful.’
Guy opened the passenger door and Liz sat on the leather seat of the low-slung car. Guy closed the door and walked round to the driver’s side.
‘I hope you don’t mind the attention we’re sure to attract.
Every time I take the car out, people always stop and look at her.
’ He turned the ignition key and there was a healthy rumble from the engine.
Guy waited for a few seconds before slipping the car into first gear, releasing the handbrake and they were off.
Driving along coast road round Cap d’Antibes, Guy said. ‘Little-known fact that I think of every time I bring the car along here. This was part of the Antibes Grand Prix track way back between the wars. I love the curves and corners on this part.’
The rest of the scenic drive along the bord de mer from Antibes and then up into the back country behind Cannes was over far too quickly for Liz. As Guy found a parking space in the car park at the foot of the old village, she looked at him. ‘Do you ever take the car on the autoroute?’
Guy nodded. ‘We can go back that way if you like, it’s quicker – only sixteen kilometres instead of the twenty we’ve just done.’
Liz shook her head. ‘No, I loved the scenic route. I just wondered whether you ever drove her at speed.’
‘Sometimes but not often, she’s an old lady really. Needs treating gently. Come on, let’s explore Mougins and then find somewhere for lunch.’
Wandering hand in hand around the ancient narrow lanes and flights of steps all spiralling around the bell tower, Liz was enchanted by Mougins. Bougainvillaea covered walls, olive trees grew in pots and scarlet geraniums tumbled down steps.
Sitting having an aperitif for lunch at a restaurant in one of the squares, she sighed happily. ‘I love it here,’ she said. ‘I’ve never felt the urge to write a historical novel, but if I were to spend time here, who knows?’
‘It does get very crowded in summer,’ Guy said. ‘But then everywhere down here does. You can’t move for people during the day and at night the restaurants are always busy. There are quiet hidden-away corners, of course.’
The waiter arrived to take their food order at that moment. Liz, knowing they would be eating later with Leon, ordered a simple salade Nicoise, whilst Guy ordered the monk fish. They both declined wine, Guy because he was driving and Liz still had most of her aperitif.
As the waiter left them, Guy looked at Liz. ‘I’m glad you stayed on for a few days – wish it was longer – and I’m glad you’re with me for tonight’s meeting.’ He paused. ‘I know it’s silly and irrational, but what if tonight goes wrong? What if Leon and I don’t like each other? What if—’
‘Stop it, Guy. You are being silly and irrational. I’ve met Leon and you will like him, I know. It might take time, there’s a lot of catching up and learning about each other to do, but it will be all right.’
* * *
Joan, not feeling particularly hungry, had a croissant and coffee for breakfast in her hotel room and was packing the last of her things into her suitcase on Monday morning when Leon turned up full of apologies.
‘Sorry I didn’t see you yesterday, Mum, all sorts of things going wrong on the yacht.
Supposed to be leaving on a charter sometime this week. ’
‘You haven’t been able to go and see Guy either then?’ Joan said, disappointed. ‘When do you think you’ll get to see him? The poor man must be frantic. Shall I ring him and tell him work has kept you busy?’
‘No. It’s been all hands on deck to get the yacht ready and also I used up most of my time off for the week for certain birthday celebrations. But I messaged him this morning.’ Leon took a deep breath. ‘I’m having supper with him at Villa Celestia tonight. He sounded as keen as I am to meet.’
‘Oh, thank goodness.’ Joan heaved a sigh of relief. ‘You will let me know how it goes afterwards, won’t you?’
‘Of course. You have got a taxi booked, haven’t you? Good.’
‘Can I have a hug before you go, please?’ Joan said. ‘Are you likely to be home any time this summer?’ She put her arms around her son and held him tight.
Leon shook his head. ‘Doubt it. I’ll video call you whenever I’ve got a moment. Have a safe journey home, Mum. I’ll ring you when I’ve met Guy.’
* * *
Monday evening, the lasagne was in the oven and Guy had poured him and Liz a small glass of red wine. ‘Need something to calm me down,’ he said as he handed Liz a glass. Even though they were both anticipating the villa front door bell ringing, when it did, they both jumped.
Liz, realising how anxious Guy actually was, said quietly, ‘You get the lasagne out of the oven and I’ll let him in.’
‘Thanks. I feel unbelievably nervous.’
‘It’s going to be fine,’ Liz said.
Opening the front door, Liz smiled at Leon. ‘Hi. Guy is going to be so happy to see you. Ever since your mum told him about your existence, he’s been in a state of high anticipation.’
‘I thought the retreat finished yesterday morning?’ Leon said, following her towards the kitchen and clearly surprised by her presence.
‘It did. I stayed on to be with Guy. Come on through and meet him, he’s prepared supper. Nothing fancy – just lasagne and salad. Guy, Leon is here,’ Liz said, leading the way into the kitchen.
Guy straightened up from the dish he’d taken out of the oven and placed it on the table and turned to greet Leon with a smile before he froze in disbelief. The words ‘Oh my god’ barely audible as he stared at his nephew for the first time.
Leon hovered in the doorway, uncertain as to what he should do. ‘Mum has always told me I look like my dad. I guess for you it’s a little scary seeing me. Do I truly look like him that much?’
Guy nodded. ‘It’s like seeing a ghost for me. You could be Jake.’ Guy finally moved forward towards Leon. ‘Can I hug you?’
Leon nodded. And the two of them stayed with their arms around each other for more than a minute before Guy pulled back and looked at Leon.
‘I idolised my big brother and when he died, I was bereft. No other word for it. I can’t tell you how much it means to me – and my dad, your grandfather – to have you turn up in our lives. I wish we’d known about you years ago.’
‘I’ve got a grandfather as well as an uncle?’
Guy nodded. ‘You have.’
‘Would you like me to leave you two alone to get to know each other?’ Liz asked.
‘No,’ Guy said instantly. ‘You and I are together now. We can all get to know each other at the same time. Why didn’t you come earlier? Straight after your mum had told you about me?’
‘I’m sorry about the delay in contacting you.
Having always wanted to know about my biological father, actually learning I had a relative was mind-blowing.
And it wasn’t a good time to get time off work because things have going wrong with the yacht, but also I wanted to wait until Mum had left.
I didn’t want to upset her more than I have done already by rushing to meet you.
But she ended up being cross with me for not contacting you quickly. ’
‘Why don’t you two sit down at the table and we’ll eat,’ Liz said placing the salad on the table. ‘I’m guessing you have a deadline to get back to the yacht?’
Leon nodded.
‘Guy, maybe pour the wine while I get the bread?’
Guy, who was still staring at Leon, nodded absently. ‘Yes of course.’ As he poured the wine, he saw the signet ring on Leon’s hand. ‘You’re wearing Jake’s ring.’
‘Yes, Mum gave it to me yesterday. She said if I didn’t want it, you should have it. Do you want it?’
‘Do you?’ Guy asked seriously.
There was a short silence before Leon answered.
‘I do. First, though, I want you talk to me about the man who wore this ring. The father I can only know through you. Unfortunately, tonight I have to get back to the yacht. And we’re due to sail on Wednesday.
We won’t be back in Port Vauban for about two weeks, but can I come and see you and we talk properly then? ’
‘Definitely.’
‘I do have a favour to ask of you. Do you have a photo of my father that I could have? I’ve never had one, never even seen one. Mum didn’t have any. She always said it wasn’t like it is now, everyone snapping away on their phones.’
‘Yes, I can give you a photo,’ Guy said. ‘I have one in my bedroom.’ He glanced at Liz.
‘Shall I fetch it for you?’ she asked.
Guy nodded. ‘Please. You can keep it, but if you could get a copy made for me that would be good. I talk to that photo a lot.’
‘Sure.’
Liz handed the photo to Leon. She and Guy watched as the expression on Leon’s face changed. ‘I do look like him, don’t I?’ And he brushed a tear away. ‘Sorry.’
‘As well as looking like him, you’ve got a lot to live up to,’ Guy said quietly.
Leon gave a slight nod and glanced at his watch as it buzzed.
‘Damn. I have to go earlier than I expected. We have each other’s number now so we can keep in touch over the next couple of weeks while I’m at sea.’ Leon looked at Guy mischievously. ‘Do I get to call you Uncle?’
‘If you want to.’
‘Are you going to take me out for treats?’
‘Possibly. But I’ll also tell you off if you misbehave and ground you for weeks at a time.’
Both of them laughed before Guy reached out and gave him another quick hug.
‘You take care and we’ll see each other again when you get back. And once the season finishes, you need to make time for me to introduce you to your grandfather. Okay?’
Leon smiled. ‘Okay, Uncle. Thank you both for supper. I’m truly sorry I have to dash.’ And he held up his hand. ‘High five?’
And Guy slapped his hand against his nephew’s before Leon turned and left.
Guy stood in the open doorway watching him go, a smile on his face even as the tears started to fall.