Chapter 46
Liz had been home a week when her WhatsApp pinged with a message from the ‘French Retreat Writers’ group.
Here’s the Zoom link for the first meeting tonight seven o’clock.
At nearly seven that evening, Liz clicked on the Zoom app on her computer, waited a couple of minutes and clicked the join meeting button. It was Lorraine who added her to the meeting and greeted her. The other three all waved happily and chorused their hellos.
‘Lovely to see you all again – no Sandy or Becky?’ Liz said, a little disappointed.
‘Sandy sent her apologies she can’t make it this time, but she promises next time she’ll join us. Becky messaged to say she’d be about half an hour late,’ Lorraine said. ‘And she has news.’
‘Of course she has news,’ Mandy said, laughing. ‘Well, Helena has news too. Go on, Helena, show them your left hand.’
A smiling Helena duly held up her hand with a sparkling solitaire diamond engagement ring on her third finger. ‘Teddy and I are engaged.’
‘Your ring is beautiful,’ Isobel said.
‘When is the wedding?’ Lorraine asked.
‘We’re thinking of Christmas,’ Helena said. ‘I’ll send you all “Save the date” cards when we’ve organised everything. Neither of us want a big wedding, small and intimate with friends and family in our village church will be perfect.’
‘Congratulations,’ Liz said. ‘How’s Joan?’
‘Over the moon about me and Teddy. Apparently she and Maureen, Teddy’s mum, have been hoping for us to get together for years. She’s happy for Leon too now he has met his uncle and has learnt some things about his father. And she’s so pleased that Guy has unreservedly welcomed Leon into his life.’
‘Guy is determined to do his best by Leon for Jake’s sake. He adored his brother,’ Liz added quietly.
‘And how is the gorgeous Guy?’ Isobel asked.
‘He’s pretty wonderful all round actually,’ Liz said, giving Isobel a smile. ‘Anyone got any writing news?’
‘I’ve sent my book out on submission to various agents,’ Mandy said. ‘Fingers crossed.’
‘I’ve been approached by a Big Five publisher offering me a traditional deal,’ Lorraine said. ‘I haven’t decided what to do yet. I was thinking I might contact Sandy and ask her advice.’
Both Isobel and Liz agreed that was a good idea. Isobel was about to say something when Becky’s face appeared on screen and Lorraine accepted her into the meeting.
‘Hi, everyone. So pleased I managed to pop on here, but I can’t stop for long. Going to a party tonight in Juan-les-Pins for the first night of the jazz festival. How are you all doing?’
A general murmur of ‘Fine thanks’ was said before Becky’s attention was caught by Helena’s hand when she raised it to push a hair away from her eye.
‘Helena,’ Becky squealed excitedly. ‘You’re engaged too!
Congratulations. Love your ring. Xavier proposed to me the other day in Monaco,’ and she waved her hand in front of her.
‘Isn’t it gorgeous?’ A large cushion-cut diamond set in a platinum love knot motif with small brilliant-cut diamonds surrounding it flashed on the screen.
‘Congratulations to you too. It’s beautiful,’ Helena said. ‘Have you set a date for the wedding?’
‘We’re talking about the end of next year,’ Becky said. ‘There is so much to organise – can’t possibly do it in under a year. You’ll all come, won’t you?’
‘Wouldn’t miss it for the world,’ Mandy said.
‘Right. Well, I must dash. Helena, we must get together and talk wedding stuff. We can be bridezillas together. I’ll email you. Next time, I’ll try to stay longer and catch up properly with everyone’s news. Bye,’ and she was gone.
Nobody spoke for several seconds.
Mandy broke the silence with a laugh. ‘Can someone please tell me what we have in common with Becky? She lives in a different world to all of us, but you can’t help but like her, can you? I hope she is happy with Xavier and he treats her well.’
The Zoom call ended shortly afterwards and Liz said goodbye to everyone with a smile on her face. ‘Looking forward to the first Tuesday of next month already,’ she said. ‘I’m so glad we are all keeping in touch.’
* * *
The highlight of every day in Antibes for Guy was settling down on the roof terrace at eight o’clock in the evening, a glass of wine in his hand, and making a video call to Liz.
After a busy day of appointments, conversations and sorting paperwork, it was always a balm to his soul to see her and spend time, albeit at a distance, with her.
‘Hi, darling,’ he said that evening as she answered. ‘How are you today?’
‘Missing you madly, of course, but I’ve only just finished a Zoom call with the French retreat writers.’
‘How are they all?’
‘They are all fine. What have you been up to today?’
‘Leon is in port again for a fleeting visit. We had lunch together, which was good. I answered a few questions for him about Jake and afterwards we came back here and together we video called Dad.’
‘How was Edwin?’ Liz asked. ‘It must be very emotional for him.’
‘I did warn him that Leon truly does look like a young Jake and I think he was semi-prepared for that, but, yes, he did get emotional. Leon has promised to go and see him as soon as he has a few days off. I think he’s going to take Joan and Helena with him.
Not to go straight in en masse but for them to be close by if Dad wants to meet them.
Joan, I think, wants to meet him especially. ’
‘Did Leon tell you Helena is engaged to Teddy his best friend?’
‘Yes, apparently they are both deliriously happy.’
‘Helena was certainly happy tonight,’ Liz said. ‘Oh, nearly forgot, Becky is also engaged to Xavier.’
‘Heaven help Xavier.’
‘Guy! I know she’s a bit full-on, but basically she’s a nice person.’ Liz paused. ‘Any news on the villa?’
‘The valuation came through today, so that’s something. Closing the business down is time-consuming, with all the paperwork involved and licences to cancel.’
‘Once the villa goes on the market, do you think it will sell quickly? Or is that an impossible question to answer?’
‘No, it will be sold quickly,’ Guy said. ‘I already have a buyer lined up. Sorting the legal paperwork out shouldn’t be difficult.’
‘Does that mean I’ll see you in person soon?’
‘Very soon hopefully,’ Guy said. ‘And then we will have a lot of decisions to make together.’
‘I can’t wait for you to be here and take those decisions. Right, I need to get myself some supper, so, goodnight,’ and Liz cheekily gave Guy a chef’s kiss at the screen.