Chapter 44
That evening, Liz and Guy sat out in the garden to eat the steak and frites Guy had cooked before taking a glass of wine each up to the roof terrace.
‘I think there should be another fireworks display tonight,’ Guy said. ‘Juan-les-Pins this time.’
Standing looking out over the beach and the Mediterranean, Liz sighed. ‘I am going to miss this view when I leave tomorrow.’
‘That’s easily fixed. Change your ticket and stay longer,’ Guy said, standing next to her and putting his arm around her shoulders and gently squeezing her. ‘We have lots of things to talk about and decide. Besides, I don’t want you to leave.’
Liz shook her head. ‘I’d loved to, but I know you have things to sort out and I do too when I get home.
’ She took a drink of her wine. ‘We could talk about some of those things tonight? We especially need to talk about the biggest problem – how do we make things work with both of us living in different countries?’
‘We will talk about that in a moment. First, there is something I want to tell you so you know the truth about my first marriage and I can shut the door on my past and move on with you with no secrets.’
Liz looked at him. ‘If it helps you to get closure I’m happy to listen, but truthfully I’m not worried about your past. We both have baggage from our pasts. You and I are the future.’
Guy took a deep breath. ‘What I suspected was confirmed today that when Jacqueline died in that taxi accident she was on her way to join another man, a billionaire apparently, who had promised her a different life.’
‘Oh Guy, I’m so sorry.’
‘The tension between us for months had been palpable. I suspected she was leaving me that day but didn’t know for sure whether she had a lover.
Sandy confirmed it for me today.’ He sighed.
‘Sandy couldn’t, or wouldn’t, tell me who it was and denied ever learning his name from Jacqueline, but I suspect she does know the man’s name. ’
‘If she is holding back from telling you his name, then I think she is a true friend of yours,’ Liz said quietly.
‘Knowing the name could make you feel very bitter towards both Jacqueline and the man she was involved with. Not knowing gives you the opportunity to remember the good times you had with Jacqueline, accept it was the accident that took her away and stop you harbouring any feelings of bitterness towards her.’ Liz paused.
‘My marriage wasn’t as happy as yours and after it ended, when we finally divorced, it took a long time for me to stop feeling bitter about him and all the wasted years.
Now I’ve met you, I’m happier than I’ve ever been.
You, on the other hand, had a happy marriage for many years with Jacqueline.
Try to hang on to those memories. Push the later, fewer, unhappy ones deep down inside.
Remember the good life you had together,’ she added.
Liz took a sip of her wine whilst Guy thoughtfully let her words sink in.
It was Liz who broke the silence that developed for a few moments. ‘How are you feeling about unexpectedly having a nephew like Leon?’
‘Deliriously happy, like I am about having you in my life,’ Guy said.
‘It’s not just Leon, there’s Joan as well.
She would have been my sister-in-law, so she is also a part of the family now.
’ He turned to look at Liz. ‘My life began to look up when you came into it and I began to believe I could have a new relationship. Jake’s unknown family showing up has also added purpose and direction.
You are right, bitterness over the past should have no part in my new life. I am one lucky man.’
‘I like Joan,’ Liz said. ‘I hope I see something of her in the future. I feel we could be good friends. Shall we talk about location now?’ she said.
‘I promise our relationship is not going to be a long-distance one for too long,’ Guy said a serious tone to his voice. ‘There is one major decision I have to make and I think I’m ready to go ahead with it. I’m going to sell Villa Celestia.’
‘What will you do instead? And where?’ Liz looked at him, stunned.
‘I’d like us to do some travelling in Europe together.
You could research a new setting for your next book?
Italy, Prague, maybe even Morocco? And then I think it’s time for me to return to the UK.
Dad is getting on, I need to be closer. You’re there.
Joan and Leon are based there – well, not Leon quite so much, but it is his home. ’
‘And what will you do there?’ Liz asked, smiling at the prospect of Guy living in the same country as her.
‘That, I’m still thinking about,’ Guy said. ‘I can’t really decide a definite course of action until I’m back in the UK and with you, but I do have several ideas.’
They were both startled at that moment by the loud bang of the first firework over the bay at Juan-les-Pins and they stood up and moved to get a better view over the Cap d’Antibes.
Standing with their arms around each other, they watched as the night sky was lit up time and time again by the colours and shapes of different fireworks.
As the last of the fireworks burst into a shower of golden stars, Guy turned to face Liz. ‘The thought of you leaving tomorrow is hard to bear, but I promise you and I will be together very soon.’ He caught hold of her hand. ‘Come on. Let’s go to bed.’