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‘Jack and his friend have gone out apparently, and they don’t have a phone. Shit! I don’t like this. I’m booking a flight.’
Lizzie, wanting to comfort him, snuggled up to him as he searched the internet on his phone. His skin felt clammy and his heart was drumming into her ear as it nestled into his chest. His left arm pulled her close as he brushed his lips on her forehead.
Feeling his fear penetrate through her, she said, ‘I can come with you. I’d like to help.’
After a pause, he kissed her forehead once more. ‘I’d love you to, but I think I need some one-to-one time with Jack. Maybe, if and when I get to the bottom of it, you can join us. It wouldn’t be fair on you or Thierry if I’m not around.’
Lizzie’s face dropped as a wave of gloom swept through her. She couldn’t bear the thought of being separated from Cal. Since he’d moved into her apartment after their trip to the States, they hadn’t been apart. It had been nearly two months of utter bliss but she suspected she would react exactly the same if it were Thierry.
Cal scrolled down the screen at his travel options. ‘Jee-sus. OK. I’ll drive to Lyon.’
‘What?’ Lizzie stepped back.’
‘Oh, times, prices, options. Right. I’ve got this one at seven, so I think it best if I get packing now and be on my way,’ Cal said, confirming his booking.
‘Now! Right, well…do you want me to drive you?’
‘Pretty lady, you go back to bed. Give those beautiful green eyes some rest. I’ll have time to park, collect my ticket and, yeah, all good thank you.’ He got to his feet, easing her up beside him. ‘Actually, I’d love a coffee if you don’t mind while I make a start packing. And, the biggest goodbye kiss you can muster,’ he said taking her arm and drawing her into his torso. He slid his fingers through her long chestnut hair as Lizzie allowed his lusty scent to linger in her. ‘I need to go to him. I’ll be back as soon as I can.
‘Yes, oh I understand. Oh, the house. Annatia and Jean-Luc. You’ve booked them in for Friday. It’s only some renovation ideas. Shall I hold them off until you get back?’ Lizzie asked, knowing how excited he was to have now finally got the keys and how much he was looking forward to visiting his very own Provençal house and vineyard. His life-long dream.
‘Well, why don’t you go along and show them around? The keys are still in the envelope, I’ll put them on the hook.’
‘I don’t know the first thing about what your plans are. I’d rather we go together. We’ll postpone it. I’m sure they won’t mind.’ Lizzie kissed him lightly on the lips feeling disappointment hiding behind them.
‘Our plans. Don’t you forget that! Besides, I barely looked at the house. It looked about the right size, but I was focusing on the vineyards.’ As he held her, his seductive eyes bored hungrily into her before his lips pressed harder onto hers, his arms wrapping tightly around her sending whirls of lust through her. Before she knew it, he’d lifted her and placed her on the bed, firmly closing the door behind him.
‘Just remember I love you,’ he told her stroking her now loosened hair.
‘I love you too,’ she told him, finding his lips and savouring every second she could as they made love. She would miss him dreadfully. As Cal pulled away, she held onto a lock of hair. She sighed. ‘You stay safe. I couldn’t bear anything happening to you. I just hope everything goes well with Jack.’
‘I’m sure it will be fine. God, I hope it will. Just for once, I feel he really needs me,’ Cal said jumping up from the bed and sliding into the shower room. ‘I can’t let him down.’
Lizzie nodded. ‘You won’t.’ She padded out to the kitchen and pressed the button on the kettle and shot back for her slippers.
‘So,’ Cal added switching on the shower, ‘why don’t you meet Annatia and Jean-Luc anyway so that they can work on some ideas whilst I’m away? At least you can get the ball rolling.’
‘I just don’t like to feel I’m interfering in your project. And you have only just got the keys. It can wait.’
‘Lizzie, it’s not mine it’s ours,’ Cal shouted from the shower. ‘It will be our home.’
A shard of warmth shot to her heart. Our home, he’d said. Not only was Cal the most amazing man she’d ever met, but he just happened to have bought a sizeable vineyard with a house; a home which could potentially be for their future family. What more could a girl want, she asked herself. To love, be loved and to share, to belong. She could only pray Jack was OK then Cal would be happy and return soon.
‘I can wait,’ she repeated as he appeared wrapping a towel around his naked body. Criminal! ‘Heesh,’ her breath escaped trying to resist. ‘I’d rather we share the occasion.’
‘I’ll leave it up to you,’ he said softly, his eyes beckoning her.
‘Coffee.’ She turned before she stalled him further.
Once Cal was packed, and after a long lingering kiss, Lizzie waved him goodbye from her apartment terrace wiping a stray tear from her cheek. There was no way she could go back to bed right now. Her own heart was still thumping with fear. Whether it was fear for Jack and his crisis, for Cal, having to rush to Nantucket, or fear for herself now alone, she couldn’t be sure. Quite possibly it was all three. Stupid, she told herself. You’ve got Thierry here safely tucked up in bed, a child you’ve had from birth. Cal will probably be a few days at the most and he only sees Jack twice a year.
Stepping back into the living room, she pushed the solid-glass terrace door to. She began to imagine what was going on in Cal’s mind. He’d never had much say in his son’s life and he had to trust that Kelly and her husband Reuben made the right decisions on a daily basis. She couldn’t imagine how Cal must have felt discovering his pregnant girlfriend was marrying someone else. And to think Kelly was trying to pretend it was Reuben’s child. That was just such an evil thing to do. Ironic really, she had always imagined herself cruel for failing to reveal her pregnancy to Thierry’s father about their son, but at least she had good reason. Cal was not a fucked-up druggy like Anton. Hmm, huge difference, she consoled herself.
Having fallen asleep on the sofa, it was Thierry who woke her. First she’d felt the tiny fingers tickling her neck then, as he wasn’t getting the response he expected, he climbed up and jumped onto her torso beginning to bounce. His nanny, Marie-Claire was close behind.
‘Thierry, no.’ Marie-Claire cussed him in her stern French accent and reached out to him.
Lizzie forced her eyes open and swung her body round. ‘It’s OK, Marie-Claire, I’m sure it must be time to get up. Hello, my darling,’ she said hugging Thierry to her chest and then tickling him back. He chuckled, displaying shiny milk teeth.
‘It’s seven-fifteen. I’ll make coffee,’ Marie-Claire said, turning towards the kitchen.
‘Oh lovely, thank you, and, just one. Cal had to catch a flight this morning.’
Thierry’s laughing eyes suddenly frowned. ‘Where’s Cal gone?’
‘He has gone on an aeroplane to see Jack. Do you remember Jack?’
Thierry’s eyes opened wide. ‘Jack, my friend Jack. Can we go and see Jack? And Harry and Bea?’
‘Yes, maybe. His daddy has some important work to do and then he’ll let us know. What do you think would make Jack smile? Would you like to draw Jack a picture to take with us?’
Thierry jumped up with a new burst of energy and waited as Lizzie unfurled slender legs from the sofa and took his hand to lead him to the dining table. After their awful year last year, she prayed that this would just be a minor incident. She felt so blessed right now.
‘Yes, I can draw Sulley and Mike. Jack likes Monsters Inc.,’ he said, climbing up on a chair.
Lizzie giggled knowing how much her son adored the film. ‘Of course he does. I’ll get you some paper to make a start. He’ll want one of each character you know.’
Yawning, Lizzie collected her phone as she uncovered Thierry’s colouring pencils and some fresh A4 sheets from her printer. She saw the text message from Cal. He’d obviously got his flight, and on time.
‘We’ll do just one now because Marie-Claire will have your breakfast ready and be taking you to nursery soon.’
After a quick shower, Lizzie arrived at Beauté Dedans and Sophie, her best friend and business partner, was just unlocking the door.
‘Morning, Soph. Aren’t you supposed to be at school today?’ Lizzie always called it school but Dr Sophie Pitou was not only the cosmetic surgeon at their new beauty clinic, she also lectured and continued research at the University two days a week.
Sophie hurled a shining smile. ‘Yes. I’m running late but I need to collect a few photographs of a client I worked on last week. It seems the procedure I carried out, based on my trials, of course, has caught some industry attention.’
‘What, in a good way?’ Lizzie held the door as Sophie dropped the keys in her bag.
Sophie grinned. ‘Yes. It’s quite exciting. I’ll show you quickly,’ she said racing up the stairs. ‘Won’t be a mo.’
Lizzie switched on the lights and immediately she saw her reflection in Betty, her cleaner’s, highly polished window and mirrors. The familiar freshly used cleaning products wafted to Lizzie’s nostrils as she placed her bag down on the chair behind the reception desk. She quickly checked Lucie’s call list just in case anyone needed contacting but couldn’t see anything particularly urgent.
‘I’ll be in the kitchen,’ she shouted up.
Sophie rushed in behind her as she poured hot water into a cup.
‘I took these in stages and it probably won’t mean much to you, but this was how I Pitou’d her.’
‘Ha! The Pitou method, your own.’ She peered at the photo, frowning. ‘Wow, no, it doesn’t quite make sense, but maybe when you get more time you can explain it.’
‘Anyway,’ Sophie flicked to the latest, ‘this is the photo the client selfie’d yesterday. I showed my professor who has been in touch with his associate in Los Angeles. I think he must have been up half the night. Apparently the guy is really impressed and has asked to see these.’
‘Oh Sophie, brilliant, well done.’
‘Thank you. Anyway, I’d better get going. Are you and Cal around later, a drink or something to eat?’
Lizzie shook her head as she placed the milk back in the fridge. ‘No. Well, I am. Cal’s flown over this morning to see Jack. Jack’s not happy and he’s gone to find out what it’s all about.’
Sophie pulled a face. ‘Ooh, hope it sorts itself out. Teenagers eh! Wouldn’t want to be back there.’
‘No, me neither,’ Lizzie said, leaning on the worktop and observing her friend.
Sophie tucked her photos into her bag and chewed on her lip. ‘Look, I know it’s early days, but I was thinking if I do have to go to the States, hopefully it wouldn’t be for long, but I wondered how you’d feel if I enlisted some help. I mean, I wouldn’t want to leave you high and dry and there’s a few really good people I know. I thought I should be prepared, just to keep everything ticking over.’
‘Proper little girl scout aren’t you? Fine, yes. If you feel they are up to your standard.’
‘Of course. I’m not saying it would come to that but…’
‘Go, you’ll be late.’ Lizzie stepped forward and hugged her friend. ‘Sounds exciting. I hope it goes well.’
‘Good. I’ll speak to Angus today, just prime him.’
‘Angus, a man?’
Chapter 2 (#ulink_6a10b16f-bfe8-5115-893c-2be1148eeb83)
Cal paced anxiously at the back of the boarding hall sipping yet another coffee. The flight to Boston had been long. What hadn’t gone through his head the last few hours? He was dizzy through lack of sleep but that hour he had dozed off had made him feel even worse. Now he’d been waiting another hour he swore he would lose his mind. He just wanted to see his son. Ensure he was safe. The frustration was his phone had lost power and needed charging. In his panic he’d taken it off charge and forgotten to recharge. Finally, the doors opened and he boarded the next flight to Nantucket. Jack would soon be home from school.
He let out a sigh of relief as the taxi turned into Main Street and pulled up outside Jack’s home. Kelly and Reuben owned a traditional New England, grey-shingled house fronted by the obligatory white picket fence and, although built only seven years, it blended well with the seventeenth-century properties lining Main Street. The driver edged to the kerb just missing one of numerous elm trees still naked of any buds.
‘Thanks,’ he said handing the driver a twenty dollar note.
Kelly pulled back the door just as he rang the bell. Immediately panic struck him. The girl he once loved was red-eyed and bare of her usual make-up. She heaved deeply before choking out the words.
‘Jack hasn’t come home, I don’t know where…’ Her voice broke away as she sobbed.
Any blood that was left in his cheeks was now sapped right out. Cal swallowed hard, blinking back tears. ‘Kelly, why didn’t you collect him last night?’
‘I was alone here with the kids. Reuben was still in New York. He’s on a flight home now. But, Jack often walks or cycles back on his own. It’s just along the road.’
‘Christ.’ Cal rubbed his forehead. ‘So where had he been? When was he last seen and where? Have you searched the house, the garage, the garden?’
‘Hell, yeah,’ Kelly snapped rubbing her eyes and nose, then standing back she ushered him in. He followed blindly, waiting for her response. His instinct was to run through the house and rip up every piece of pristine furniture and every door and every wardrobe – anywhere he could to check she hadn’t missed something. ‘Have you checked the loft?’
‘Yeah, attic, summerhouse. Maria’s been here checking too,’ she said wiping a tissue under her nose. ‘Brett says they were at the harbour last night. He said they began walking back about ten. Brett went straight home. He was sure Jack wasn’t in any trouble. I’d waited, well, I thought, no wait until ten-thirty, but when he still wasn’t in, I rang Maria just after. She and Bob came up and from what I gather Bob has been out all night with some of the others. They took the boat out to scour the coast and beaches. No one has reported a boat missing, so it’s, well, who knows? I rang the police, they are looking.’
‘Fuck. I need to put my phone on charge. I need to check my messages and emails.’
Kelly raced to the kitchen and pulled a plug from a drawer. ‘Here.’ She plugged the USB lead into the power socket as Cal handed it over.
As soon as Cal powered it up, he checked every text message, every email and Whatsapp. ‘Nothing new, but read this and tell me anything you know,’ he said opening up his email and showing Kelly the message he’d received from Jack.
She leaned across the work surface and grabbed the phone. ‘Oh my God, I can’t imagine…’
‘Has he argued with you or Reuben?’
‘No.’
‘Any girls he’s got mixed up with?’
‘Not that I know of.’
‘Has he mentioned anyone bullying him at school?’
‘No. No, nothing.’
‘Homework, exams, sports?’
‘If I knew what was bothering him, I’d say. You know what he’s like, he…he does tend to put pressure on himself. I mean, we remind him how important the junior and sophomore years are to his future and,’ Kelly’s lips thinned as her eyes welled again, ‘I’ve confiscated his phone. I needed to reduce his time on social media and playing games instead of concentrating on his studies. Of course, he still has games on his desktop but, it has not gone down well. I suppose it’s possible he could be sulking about that, and be getting stressed over his exams.’
Cal shot his hand across to the phone now back on the surface of the worktop. ‘That is not a boy worried about his exams, Kelly. Something’s wrong.’ He dragged a hand from the back of his neck and kept his gaze momentarily up to the ceiling. ‘I’ll have a good look around here. I take it you’ve checked with the school?’
‘Yes.’ Kelly scrunched her hair and turned for her coat. ‘He’s not there.’
‘I’ll quickly ring Lizzie, let her know I’ve arrived OK.’ Cal could barely hit the keys on the phone his hands were trembling so much. It was reassuring though to hear Lizzie’s voice.
‘So glad you got there OK,’ she said. ‘How is Jack?’
He paused for a second. ‘Look I won’t go into it now, I’ve just arrived and I’m still at Jack’s. Is it OK if I give you a call later?’
‘Yes, of course. I’m missing you already.’
‘Miss and love you too.’ He placed the phone back down leaving it to charge and dashed for the lower ground floor. Of course he missed her already and wanted nothing more than for her to be with him. He still couldn’t believe he’d captured her heart and he was part of her world. Thierry’s too. He didn’t like himself for not telling Lizzie the reality about Jack missing but he didn’t want her worrying too. With any luck they’d find Jack soon anyway. Oh, God, Jack. This was a small island for God’s sake. Please, please be safe. I feel I’ve only just got to know you. Cal searched behind and under sofas and chairs, in cupboards, storage chests, anything he thought a sixteen-year-old could squeeze into. Each floor, including the attic rooms and the eaves, was minutely inspected before he raced for the garden scratching his arms on the bushes, leaving nothing or nowhere to chance.
‘Jack, I’m here,’ he called as he continued into the summerhouse, under it and then into the garage, scrutinising every inch of the garage loft where storage boxes and tools resided. ‘Jack, please come out. I’m here to help,’ he said, wishing this nightmare would end. If there was one thing in his life he could do to ease years of guilt, this would be it. He would be here in his son’s hour of need and prove to him he cared, let him know he’d always cared. Shifting box after box until he was sure he’d scrutinised every corner, a small photo-frame shot out and hit a rafter. Cal reached out and turned it over. His heart lurched as his finger circled the familiar face. The young Jack flashing a full-on milk-teeth smile. His first school photo Cal recalled with fondness but then saddled it with anger at why it was here. His own copy was securely placed in an album he kept close. In fact it was at Lizzie’s apartment whilst his belongings were in storage. Obviously, Kelly had more children and priorities where décor was concerned.
‘Cal,’ Kelly called from the garden. ‘Bob, Brett’s father, is here. Where are you?’
Racing down the steps and jumping the last few, he almost crashed into Kelly entering the open garage door.
‘Ah…here, has he discovered anything?’ Cal urged.
‘No. And he won’t go home and get any sleep. He’s going back to the harbour now while I get Harry and Bea. Do you want to go?’ Kelly led Cal back into the house. Bob closed the cloakroom door and came down the hall towards them into the kitchen.
‘Hi, Bob. Thanks for all your help,’ Cal said taking Bob’s large hand. He recognised the tall stature with receding brown-grey hair. ‘I really appreciate…’
‘Oh man, I can’t imagine what you guys are suffering right now, but I’ve run out of ideas if I’m honest.’ He shrugged, wiping his brow. ‘I think I’ve been around the island twice covering every road, and stopping at every diner or bar. I’ve shown this picture here to half the population and asked them to call the police if they see him. The police are on it too. They have a team out knocking on doors. They questioned Brett this morning. Apart from suggesting we look down the harbour, he’s not saying a thing. I’m not convinced. Boys talk. I’ll try again but I’ve sent him to school.’
