Karen Aldous - The Riviera

‘Good morning, Lizzie. I’ve some great news.’ A contagious smile spread across Sophie’s face. ‘I am going to Los Angeles on the eighth of April to meet Professor Eckhart and demonstrate my new procedure. They’ll also get the substance rigorously tested as fast as they can. Would you like to come with me?’

‘Oh wow, exciting!

‘It’s brilliant isn’t it? If it all tests OK, we’re going to patent it in as much of the world as we can.’

Lizzie jumped up and threw her arms around her friend. ‘You are amazing. I’m sure it will test fine. Ha! I know you too well – you’ll not have gone this far without checking everything a million times.’

‘Well, not quite that many but, yes, you know me well – due diligence is my middle name.’ Sophie pulled a face and then resumed her huge smile.

Lizzie felt rather gutted. She’d have loved to be there with Sophie and supporting her. This really wasn’t very good timing, just as she was about to tell her her own plans.

‘I’d love to come with you but I’ve just booked a trip to join Cal in Nantucket. I’m flying out to Boston on Tuesday for a week.’

Sophie’s smile dropped. ‘Oh, I was hoping…not to worry.’

A deflated breath escaped Lizzie before she had an idea. ‘Why don’t you ask Charles? You’ve both been working hard. You could make it a holiday.’

Sophie pursed her lips. ‘Hmm! If only I could prise him away from his desk! What are the chances of that?’

‘Oh, I’m sure you could sell it better. There’s bound to be sailing in Los Angeles.’

‘Ha! Brilliant. Good point.’ Sophie slipped her hands to her waist creating a pondering stance. ‘Mmm, yes. I’ll have a look. Oh, and Angus is going to come along on Saturday morning if that’s OK with you. I’m sure you’ll love him but be sure to tell me if you’re not convinced. He’s certainly a talented cosmetic and plastic surgeon.’

‘I look forward to meeting him. I hope you can convince Charles too. It would alleviate my guilt.’

‘Why guilt? Don’t be. It would have been nice.’

Lizzie checked the time on her phone. She would have to leave soon to meet Thierry and Marie-Claire.

‘It would, but we’ll research the sailing when I get back. I’m just going to meet Marie-Claire and watch Thierry swim. I’ll be back in an hour or so.’

‘Aww, really? He loves the water doesn’t he? What a shame I have a treatment, I’d have come with you.’

Lizzie rushed along to Avenue de Benefiat to the pool where Marie-Claire and Thierry waited.

After changing, Thierry couldn’t wait to show off his new skill and he jumped up and down as he waited for the girls to get changed and deposit their clothes in the locker. Once they reached the water, Lizzie was surprised when Thierry just jumped in without warning. At once she followed in panic but Thierry’s small body popped back up and he immediately began splashing his arms and legs and swimming halfway across the pool.

‘Wow,’ Marie-Claire screamed with delight. ‘He really wants to show you.’

Lizzie caught his tired wet torso as he puffed and spluttered water from his mouth and nose. She knelt down, standing him against her thighs.

‘Well done, Thierry. I’ve got you but…’ She turned to his nanny now behind her. ‘Jesus, I can hardly breathe. He just went and I could hardly keep up with him. You’ll have to keep a really close eye on him. Phew. I wasn’t expecting that.’ She pinched his nose and wiped the mucus with her hand.

‘Yes, he is fearless. And, of course, I watch him close. With my life.’

Thierry began jumping up and down, ready to go again. Lizzie allowed him to jump and splash as she swirled him around. He laughed and giggled.

‘I want to swim again, Mummy.’

As Lizzie nodded, out of the corner of her eye she spotted a familiar figure being led by an older woman. It was Anton, Thierry’s father. The woman was instructing him to move his legs to walk in the water. Lizzie swallowed hard. It was difficult to believe he was still going through some basic rehabilitation. Her concern now however was to get out of the water and out of his sight. The last thing she wanted was for Marie-Claire to see him. And Thierry. She didn’t know if his father’s face and the attempt to abduct him still haunted his mind. She was sure it would still spook Marie-Claire. She knew she’d created a lot of damage soon after she’d struck him over the head with the champagne bottle six months ago. Seeing him now could bring another trauma on.

‘Marie-Claire, I’m so sorry. I feel extremely dizzy. Could we please go back to the changing room? Take Thierry please and turn and I’ll hold your shoulder in case I slip.’

‘Lizzie, oh yes, yes, of course.’ She took the boy in her arms and gripped his arms around her shoulder.

‘More swimming. I want to do more swimming, Mummy,’ Thierry protested, attracting more attention than Lizzie would have hoped.

‘Just ignore him, Marie-Claire. We’ll calm him down once we’re out,’ Lizzie told her as they climbed the pool steps and passed a parked wheelchair. She just prayed Anton wouldn’t spot them. ‘I’m right behind you and I’m OK. I’ll hold your shoulder. Keep walking.’

Marie-Claire did as she was told and did her best to control the wriggling, wailing Thierry as she led Lizzie through to the changing room.

Lizzie continued her faking performance for as long as necessary as they changed and made their way out of the building, which seemed cruel to Marie-Claire trying to console the teary Thierry and, once clear of the building, sped up her pace as they walked back to her apartment.

‘Oh, so sorry. I feel a little better now though. I’m really sorry, Thierry darling. We’ll go again another day. Mummy felt very sick and you wouldn’t like Mummy to be sick in the pool would you?’

When Lizzie got back to the office, she dashed to the cloakroom to tidy her hair and face. The mirror confirmed her inner state. She took out her make-up bag and rubbed in some moisturiser before adding her usual light foundation and blusher to her cheeks. After brushing her hair, she waltzed with some relief to Sophie’s consulting room. As she stepped into the doorway, she stopped as a tall male figure stood by her friend’s desk.

‘Oh, I’ll come back later, Soph.’

Sophie jumped up and called out, ‘No. Lizzie, come back. Your timing is good actually. Come in and meet Angus.’

Lizzie gripped the doorframe for a few seconds. ‘Angus. Oh, you’re Sophie’s colleague, er, associate?’ She peered directly at the tall figure holding out a hand and glaring at her with bright, cornflower-blue eyes and golden hair. ‘Very nice to meet you.’ She shook his hand.

‘Yes, well, we both lecture at the same college part-time. I was also practising in Belgium before I decided I needed a change so until I sort out where I want to put down roots, I’m at your disposal, ladies.’

Lizzie was immediately captivated by his Scottish accent. ‘Well, I’ve heard good things about you from Sophie whom I trust with my life.’

He threw out a warm smile which dimpled the sides of his mouth and a few laughter lines creased his eyes. Lizzie guessed he was close to his mid-thirties, a similar age to Cal and, she considered, good looking as well as, on first impression, charming.

‘Why don’t we sit down? My next client is not for twenty minutes,’ Sophie said pulling over another chair for them both and sitting back at her desk.

Angus pinched up his trousers at his knees before he sat. ‘I’m only too pleased to help out. The money, of course, always comes in handy. Actually, I was shopping and couldn’t resist popping in. It caught my eye, and Sophie just gave me a quick tour. It’s quite a set up you have here. Very impressive in fact. Sophie says you set up a few years ago in the beauty industry?’