The Riviera
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.’
‘Really good of you. I’ll stay here in case.’
With a heavy heart, Cal returned to the garage. Time was getting on and fear was gripping his stomach and throat. He covered his face with his hands then rubbed his eyes in both tiredness and despair. He returned to the roof space in the garage and began climbing the steps. Something made him stop. He peered back at the summerhouse. He observed the pitched roof for a moment, noticing a porthole window to the front. He ran to the summerhouse door and inside, in the centre of the ceiling was a small-framed door hatch. His eyes scanned the room for a hook. There was nothing visible. He grabbed a chair and climbed up, pushing in the hatch which released and swung open.
‘Jack. Are you there, Jack?’ He pulled the narrow folded steps down and unfastened the clasp allowing the length of the steps to fall to the floor. He peered up, dust particles flitted through the beam of daylight from the tiny window. He then climbed up. ‘Jack.’
Chapter 3
Lizzie was still pondering on the idea. A male cosmetic surgeon. It wasn’t a case of being sexist, she just hadn’t thought about it. And, certainly, some of her clients may prefer to be treated by a man. It could certainly be a bonus to have someone with Sophie’s skills on standby who knew the business, with the busy season coming up in just ten weeks. Lizzie scanned last year’s timetable to ensure she would have plenty of hair and beauty consultants working for the salon to cover the demands of the Cannes Film Festival and the Monaco Grand Prix. She prayed Sophie wouldn’t be jetting off to the States during that time. Not that everyone would be requiring rigorous cosmetic surgery, but the Botox and filler treatments would certainly be in demand.
She sat back and brushed her temple. This was quite phenomenal, she thought to herself, and still early days. Their salon in the Rue d’Antibes had barely been open six months. Maybe it would be a good idea to also have male grooming consultants on board. As excitement bubbled inside her, she wished Sophie was around to talk to, and Cal.
‘Bonjour, Lizzie.’ Josephine, her Manager, poked her head round the door.
Lizzie looked up with a start. ‘Oh, Josephine. How are you? Sorry, I was miles away.’
‘Yes, good. A bit tired. I was out watching a band last night, so still a little hung over.’
‘Oh, good sign. Sounds like you had a good time. How are things downstairs? I’ve had my head stuck in these,’ she said pointing to the spreadsheets on the screen.
‘Yes, all running OK. Madame Joubert is down there if you want to say hello.’
Lizzie smiled. ‘Oh thanks, I will. Oh, and before you disappear, tell me what you think of this?’
Lizzie explained to Josephine her idea of introducing a male grooming section.
‘Absolutely great.’
‘It would mean extra work so I thought Lucie could get more involved in assisting you. She’s good at working with the schedules.’
Josephine nodded.
Lizzie’s mobile rang. ‘Excuse me a minute,’ she said, her eyes brightening as she spoke. ‘Cal.’ Josephine made for the door.
Barely thirty seconds later, Lizzie slipped the phone back down onto her desk. Pulling a face, she leaned her elbow on the arm of her chair, sliding her fingers through her hair and picturing his worried face shadowed by dark unruly hair. She could only conclude it was difficult for him to talk. The conversation was very brief.
Finding it hard to imagine he was now thousands of miles away, already she yearned to be next to him and hold him. Tell him things would be fine. She never doubted Cal wouldn’t cope but she wanted to be there for him and it was suddenly strange that he wouldn’t be at the apartment tonight. The main thing was, she consoled herself, was he’d arrived safely and he was with Jack. He would soon have his son back on track, that much she was sure. Cal seemed to know how to deal with any situation. Now the question was, should she mention anything to Rose, his grandmother? She didn’t want to have her panicking and worrying about her grandson. Although, she pondered the thought, Jack may have confided something relevant. Lizzie rang down to reception.
Cal’s mother’s face was glowing after her facial fifteen minutes later.
‘Rose, so lovely to see you. You are looking lovely,’ she told her honestly. Lizzie had always thought she had great skin for her years and Cal had obviously inherited the eyes and her naturally oozing charisma. She kissed her lightly on the cheeks.
‘You too, sweetie, and thank you again for that lovely dinner last week. I’ve been meaning to call Cal actually.’
‘Oh, I enjoyed your company. I’m sure he won’t mind me telling you, he flew over to see Jack this morning.’
Lizzie witnessed immediate concern in Rose’s eyes.
‘Oh heavens, something is up,’ Rose said, her hand reaching for her chest.
‘He’s just gone to make sure Jack is OK.’
‘He didn’t say.’
Lizzie gently clasped Rose’s arm. ‘No, it was rather last minute as Jack was upset and asked Cal for help.’
‘Hmm, I wonder if it’s anything to do with that girl?’
Lizzie’s eyes widened. Jack had obviously confided in his grandmother and she didn’t feel right asking her.
‘Cal didn’t know exactly.’
‘Well, youngsters have so many things they worry about and, unlike Kelly who seeks an Oscar every time she has an issue, Jack is the total opposite. He internalises everything and probably thinks way too deeply about the ins and outs of everything. He’s so like Cal. We were talking about his exams. Now, Jack doesn’t struggle but worries. “What if I don’t get the grades, Gran, what if I don’t get to this college or that”, and he did mentioned a girl being nasty but you know what youngsters are like, friends one minute and…oh perhaps I should have been a little more sympathetic.’
‘Rose. You’re there for him, obviously. You can’t know what’s going on in his head all the time.’
‘No, but I should have rung Cal sooner.’
‘Well, Cal’s there now and I’m sure he’ll get to the bottom of it all,’ Lizzie said, adding a light reassuring squeeze to her arm. ‘I’m going to speak to him soon if you’d like me to mention it.’
‘Oh, I should ring him,’ Rose said clasping her forehead.
Lizzie straightened her back to unleash the tension building in her spine. She was treading on delicate ground and wondered if she’d done the right thing. Now Rose was feeling dreadful and blaming herself.
Rose put her other hand on Lizzie’s. ‘Sweetheart, it makes sense if you are speaking to him soon to mention it. You’ll get to speak to him before me I guess. I have a dental appointment so I won’t be home for at least…yes, would you tell him?’
‘I’ll try him in a while and don’t worry, he will understand.’
‘You are a treasure. Thank you, Lizzie. It’s lovely that you are concerned. I’m sure Cal realises what a gem he has in you,’ Rose said, hugging her. ‘I should be on my way.’
‘Lovely to see you. I’ll ring you later and let you know how Jack is.’
‘Well, pop in with Thierry later if you’re not too busy.’
‘I’d love to.’
A sense of relief swept over Lizzie as she watched Rose manoeuvre carefully out the door. The first time she’d really ever met Rose properly was when Rose had fallen over outside the salon. She’d run out to her when she’d twisted her ankle. She’d only known her as Madame Joubert, a client. Then to learn, after a later visit to her Villefranche villa, she was in fact Cal’s mother, was quite a shock. It soon materialised she’d remarried and hence Lizzie had not recognised the name nor made the connection. Getting to know Rose and speaking to her had certainly helped seal her trust in Cal. And seeing how much Cal respected her was comforting; she’d never imagined trusting a man ever again, so she would be forever thankful for that fateful meeting.
She waved Rose off and climbed the stairs back to her office. The swirl of that sweet memory climbed with her. The image of Cal stood on Rose’s balcony late October and then that moment when she gave every part of herself evoked such shameless emotion.
Itching to relay the information to Cal, she rang his mobile. It went to voicemail.
Damn. Should she leave a voicemail?
Half an hour later she tried again.
‘Hi, Lizzie,’ Kelly’s voice bellowed. ‘Cal was here a while ago but I can’t find him. I’ll give a shout and have him call you.’
‘Yes, can you tell him it’s important please?’ Lizzie said then took a gasp questioning whether she should just mention it to Kelly. She was Jack’s mother after all. ‘Thank you Kelly, bye.’
Deciding she would let Cal make that decision, she hung up. She and Cal, she considered, were very close in their still-brief relationship but she didn’t feel ready to get too involved in his domestic set up with Kelly. There was a fine line and she feared she would be crossing it. Cal was obviously with Jack now and they would probably be working things through.
Feeling like a loved-up teenager, she took out a photo of herself, Cal, Thierry and Jack posing together on Jack’s sixteenth birthday the day after the New Year’s party. Reuben had taken it with the camera Cal had bought her for Christmas. It portrayed a happy family and she loved it. Cal looked utterly sexy, his dark locks falling loosely almost over his eyes, and his gorgeous smile as always showed off teeth to die for. Kneeling down, one arm was wrapped over Jack’s shoulder, Jack looking tall with lively eyes, so evidently his son, whilst his other arm was clasped around her waist as she knelt beside him. Thierry leaning between both their knees and flaunting a mischievous smile.
She then pulled out the photo behind it. She smiled to herself and had to admit, she and Cal did make a handsome couple. That’s what people told them at Sophie and Charles’s engagement before Christmas. And, since that photo, she had fallen even deeper in love with him. She adored everything, his eyes, his smile, his gorgeously toned body, plus he was an attentive lover. God she’d never had so much pleasure. And he was so considerate and caring in many other ways. Thierry was crazy about him too. The fact that he often cooked him pizza quite possibly helped, but Cal always talked and played on Thierry’s three-year-old level which was so endearing to watch. As she peered at Cal she remembered him squeezing her waist in that photo too, making her squeal with delight and her loins ache for him. The final photo was of the four of them, Cal was mockingly down on one knee along with Charles who had genuinely proposed to Sophie for the camera again on the night of their engagement. Sophie’s rock of a diamond sparkled from her left hand which was resting lightly on her décolletage. All four of them brimming with joyous laughter.
Lizzie placed each photo down on the desk and smiled. It wouldn’t be long before Sophie and Charles were man and wife. They had designs on a wedding in the summer and Charles, in his usual unassuming manner, announced he would surprise his bride with something special. Sophie had been delighted, if not a little apprehensive. Lizzie considered it a lovely romantic gesture she was sure her friend would love. Sophie only had to worry about her dress, flowers and her bridesmaids, although the first person she requested was Thierry as her page boy. Cal, as best man however, was sworn to secrecy and he’d been as good as his word.
It was just after five-thirty as she was walking back to her apartment when Lizzie checked her mobile. Still nothing back from Cal.
Chapter 4
‘Dad.’
‘Jack…yes.’ Cal’s voice sang from his heart as it swelled and a huge sigh blew from his airways.
Reaching the latch entrance, he reached up to a cord and switched on a ceiling lamp. He heard a sudden scuttling sound. ‘Jack.’ He stretched his neck to seek his son.
‘Yeah. I’m here but don’t make me go in or go to school tomorrow. Dad, I’m staying here or you take me to England. I hate it here, Dad.’
Cal climbed the four remaining steps slowly, gauging a fear in Jack’s plea he’d never witnessed before. As he turned to follow the voice, his eyes met the scrunched frame tugging at a dark-blue sleeping bag. The roof space was small and shallow. Jack’s deep-hazel eyes bulged, confirming Cal’s suspicion.
‘How long have you been here?’ Cal asked, now attempting to crawl into the cramped space.
‘I got cold down…I was down at the marina but I got back here just before it got light. Mom will make me go to school. Dad, don’t tell Mom where I am.’
‘Your mom is beside herself with worry. You need to explain, Jack.’
‘She won’t listen, she’ll send me to school.’
‘There are a lot of people out there searching for you so they need to know you are safe.’
Cal just wanted to stay and talk but he had to let Kelly know and the guys who had spent the entire night out in the bitter cold with no sleep. God knows, they needed a rest.
Cal took a deep breath. ‘OK. I’ll do a deal. You promise to stay here and I promise I won’t let her up. I’m going to tell your mom you’re OK because she needs to tell everyone to stop searching. I’ll be right back, alone, I promise. Is that a deal?’
Jack slid back down into the sleeping bag. ‘Not Mom? No I said.’
Cal shook his head. ‘Your mom will be relieved you’re here. I’m telling her, not because you have to go to school but to stop the panic and the search. There are a lot of people worried about you, Jack. I’m just going to tell them that we will talk alone. Just you and me. I’m going to make that clear.’ He paused, searching for Jack’s approval. Jack continued to look down, fiddling with the sleeping-bag zip. ‘Is that clear, Jack? Do you trust me?’
‘Will you be staying here, Dad? I want you to stay. Mom will send me to school.’
‘I’m going nowhere, son, until I’m happy you’re happy.’
After several seconds, scared eyes peered up. ‘I trust you, Dad, but Mom will start fussing and bossing…’
‘Jack, do you trust me?’
Cal watched as his son lay still, contemplating, his eyes flitting back and forth to the zip and back to him. He could only imagine what was going on in Jack’s mind. He knew Kelly was controlling and just loved to tell her friends about every detail of her daily dramas. Was this what his son was afraid of? Did she inadvertently humiliate him? He was sure he wouldn’t have appreciated it himself at sixteen. One thing was certain and that was, this boy was intent on hiding or running away. What was it his son couldn’t face?
‘I want to go away, Dad. I want to be with you but not here. I want to go to England.’
‘I understand you’re struggling, Jack. We can talk about this. Give me five minutes and…’
Both their heads turned as Kelly shouted from the back door. Cal glanced at his child.
‘Five minutes and I’ll be back. Trust me?’ Cal raised his hand for a high-five.
Jack grimaced and raised a hand to his father. ‘Don’t bring her here, please.’
‘I promise.’ Cal scratched the back of his head. Torn between trying to keep his son calm and needing to let Kelly know her son was safe, Cal couldn’t make false promises.
‘Trust me. Five minutes.’
He scrambled back down the steps and across the neat-lawned garden. For a house worth several million dollars, the garden was relatively small, only a hundred foot long by, Cal guessed, eighty foot wide. The summerhouse was at the end of it and away from the house. It made sense he would take refuge somewhere close. He wondered if Jack had been planning this for some time. It wasn’t the most obvious place to have a sleeping bag to hand. He was sure the space would have been checked the previous evening. He stepped into the back lobby.
‘Oh Cal, there you are. Still nothing to report but Lizzie rang you,’ Kelly said as Cal entered the kitchen lobby.
He headed straight for the unit where his phone was charging in the kitchen and waited for Kelly to follow. At once, he saw Bob, Brett’s father leaning on the island and Harry raiding the fridge and Bea throwing her coat onto the back of a dining chair.
Kelly then spun back grabbing her hair in frustration. ‘Nothing at the harbour. Bob, you should go home and get some sleep. Cal can…’
Trying to maintain a calm mood, Cal interrupted softly. ‘Look, it’s OK. Well, the good news is that I’ve found Jack and physically, he’s fine but…’ He threw up a hand as Kelly’s eyes and mouth shot wide whilst her body almost bounced in the air ‘Yes, I know you’re all excited and everything, but he has asked for privacy. And I respect that. And, Kelly, I’m asking you do too. Give him a little time. He has asked to speak to me alone, and again, I respect his wishes and hope you will too. The important thing is he is safe. He was in the summerhouse loft. He hasn’t said where he was yet but…’
‘Aww I just want to see him and hug him,’ Kelly’s eyes pleaded, ‘to tell him how much I love him. That’s odd. We checked the summerhouse and the garage.’
‘He said he got there before light.’
Bob and Kelly glanced at each other. Then Bob nodded with relief spread across his face. ‘Great news. Relieved for you all. I’ll go tell Maria and the guys.’ He wrapped his arms first around Kelly then Cal.
‘Bob, I can’t thank you enough,’ Cal told him as he picked up his phone. ‘So, Kelly, I’m going back to him now, so wait for my instruction please. Actually, I’ll take a couple of cans of drink and a few snacks if you have them. I don’t suppose he’s had anything to eat.’
‘Can’t he come in and talk?’ Kelly insisted, siding up to her son Harry and clutching the refrigerator door then browsing among food items. ‘You could both go to his room.’
‘If and when he’s ready.’
‘Can I go see him?’ Harry interrupted.
‘No, Harry. You’ll have to wait. Cal, has he said why he’s hiding out?’ Kelly said gathering an armful of drinks and packets.
‘Let’s take it a step at a time shall we? Keep Harry and Bea in here. Have you got a bag for those?’
Kelly grouped the items together and then pulled out a plastic bag from a drawer handing it to Cal. She then scoured a further cupboard snatching huge bags of snacks.
‘Take these too. I really don’t know what he’s making such a fuss about. He’s bright, confident, has friends. What the hell is he worried about?’
‘I’m sure it’s just a phase. A teenage blip.’
‘Tell him, whatever it is, I’m here for him.’
With a bulging bag of food and drinks in his hand, Cal returned to the garden and into the summerhouse and climbed back up the steps. He knew Kelly’s heart was in the right place, he just wasn’t sure if she, or he for that matter, could penetrate and unfurl Jack’s inner world. His naval training had prepared him for many situations, including dealing with younger officers’ emotions. This, however, was different. He was emotionally attached himself. It wasn’t easy witnessing your own child in a dark place.
Crawling back into the loft space felt claustrophobic but he kept his head low and blew out a grateful sigh seeing Jack still wrapped in the sleeping bag.
‘Well, I may have taken a little longer but I’ve brought us some goodies. Here.’ He placed the bag down beside Jack and watched as his son’s hand scrambled inside it.