The Vineyard. Karen Aldous

good to me, although I thought you’d want an early night as we are off early tomorrow,’ challenged Sophie.

      ‘I’m too excited to sleep.’

      ‘Me too.’ Sophie threw back her shoulders and punched her fists in the air. ‘Whoa, I’m so happy.’

      ‘Oh, it’s fabulous. A lot of money but… and, I should really get some sleep, but hey ho, I’m in holiday mode now. I really need this break although, I have to say, my girls have worked very hard too. Do you know, most of the Cannes salon staff have worked from seven in the morning ’til nine and ten at night during the events?’

      ‘I can believe it. This place is a ‘glamour magnet’ attracting so many people. Well I’ll be here for it all next year. I can’t wait! I’ll get to hang out here during next year’s film festival and the Monaco Grand Prix. That’s a huge mix of people and hopefully they’ll all be spending money!’

      ‘Well Monaco is bloody expensive and is just a few stops on the train so Cannes probably accommodates more people than Monaco that week.’

      ‘Well I know where I’d rather stay.’

      ‘Nothing to do with your budget then darling?’ asked Lizzie, wryly.

      ‘Jest you may, but no. I don’t really get Monaco.’

      ‘Maybe you will when we’ve built this business big enough!’ Lizzie jibed, ‘But yes it can seem a bit sterile most of the year. I hear there are so many lovely places along this coastline and, of course in the hills. I still haven’t got out much to explore the area and I’ve been living here nearly four years!’

      ‘Liven up,’ Sophie squeezed her friend’s arm, ‘Can’t you find time to get out whilst you’re bringing up a baby and building an empire? Slacking or what?’

      Lizzie giggled. ‘Well, at least I, or we, are addressing it, are we not? Sooo…exciting eh?’ She grabbed Sophie’s arm and they ran out of the apartment and marched along the narrow street. ‘Bonnieux tomorrow. I feel like an excited child all over again.’

      ‘I’m really looking forward to just spending time with you and Thierry. He is such a sweetie. You have done a great job with him Lizzie. And, he is so cute. I’ve never seen a boy so beautiful.’

      ‘Well, I’m biased I know but yes, he is beautiful. I also think Marie-Claire is extremely good with him. I was lucky to have found her. I think I told you, she’s Betty’s niece. She learned fast and is firm but fair with him where behaviour is concerned. She also has an uncanny knack for being able to get down on his level. She plays with him like a responsible big sister.’

      ‘I agree you’ve been fortunate, particularly as I’ve heard it’s rare to keep a good au pair, but you have to take credit too.’

      ‘I’ve never really thought about it. Any of it. I just moved to France, got pregnant, had a child and built up a beauty business. All I know is that when we came down to Cannes, I was hooked. This place just felt right. I knew when I discovered I was pregnant, I was going to settle here and provide for us both.’

      ‘You’ll be telling me next you planned the baby!’ Sophie teased as they now weaved back along the Rue Antibes.

      ‘Ha. Ha. I don’t think I could have planned such a perfect outcome as this. Well, I don’t know now what’s going to happen with Anton. I really couldn’t imagine him having access to Thierry. It just doesn’t seem natural.’

      ‘Well from what you told me on the phone, if he insists, he will probably be entitled to access.’

      I think I know that but I’m in denial. I want him to go off the idea. Anyway, I don’t think he wants a son necessarily. I think he’s scared. He doesn’t want anyone else to have his son. It’s probably more to do with the way he is. He just has to be in charge making sure everyone is doing what he wants.’

      Do you think it would have worked if you were in a relationship – not with him, any other? A marriage or lived with a partner?’

      ‘Phuuhhh,’ Lizzie burst into laughter.’ Anyone but him!! Uumm. I’ve not stopped to think about that either. I don’t know the answer to that. I don’t do a lot of thinking do I?’

      ‘Maybe it’s best that way.’ Sophie caught her infectious laughter.

      ‘Well put it this way, I haven’t missed having a man around. The downside I suppose, I pay for any work I need doing. The few friends I hang out with are pleasant, male and female, we have a laugh. Occasionally, and I mean very occasionally, I get a bit of action. Nothing serious, but since I had Thierry, I think it’s suited me.’

      ‘Oh, I think it sounds ideal and simple. Keep it simple. That’s what I need to do.’ They turned the corner and the darkness of the night sky over the sea told them they were close to the bar. Sophie continued, ‘I always end up getting involved don’t I? I need to keep my love life casual too.’

      ‘Are you still seeing Guillaume?’

      ‘Yes. I must be needier than you.’

      ‘Oh Sophie, I wouldn’t say that. I think it’s more a case I don’t want just anyone to be Thierry’s father. I don’t want Thierry to get attached to one guy only to get hurt if it doesn’t work out. And likewise, men aren’t keen on women with children already are they?’

      ‘I never know what men want to be honest.’

      ‘Ahh here we are.’ Lizzie veered them onto the packed pavement of the Café Gourmand. Waiters buzzed back and forth with delicious Mediterranean salads. As she opened the door, lively chatter filled the air. Lizzie stroked the length of her arm as she felt the air conditioning penetrate her skin. Small groups of people gathered around the front bar.

      ‘Let’s go further in. Hopefully we’ll get a table.’ Sophie followed and was led to a table close to a bar at the back of the long room. There was a crowd at the bar but a waitress appeared with a pad to take their order.

      They settled down with their beers, engrossed in talk of their plans about the new salon and their ideas. The meals were promptly placed in front of them by a petite polish girl so Sophie was savouring her chicken salad when Lizzie followed her eyes and saw her friend’s attention diverted to a door just beside the back bar.

      Lizzie followed her sight line. A rather attractive, dark-haired man emerged from the men’s toilet. The tips of his hair had been lightened and dried by the sun. His skin darkened by the same. He was well dressed but had a casual, unfussy, dishevelled look about him.

      ‘Hmm, I didn’t see that on the menu,’ Sophie declared as he swept past them.

      Lizzie watched him trek nearer the bar, towards another man who was hidden by the shadows. As he stopped, her heart skipped a beat. ‘Shit!’

      ‘What’s wrong? Do you know him?’ Sophie queried.

      Sensing attention on him, Charles Pitt-Barker peered at them with curiosity. Sophie’s face, Lizzie noticed, blushed as his eyes stayed on her. Sophie couldn’t wrench her eyes away.

      ‘Lizzie tell me?’ Sophie said trying not to move her lips. Lizzie dared to peek back and instantly Cal waved his hand up. She smiled back briefly, then with heart pounding looked back at Sophie.

      ‘The other man is my mum’s toy boy Sophie. That’s the one I was telling you about. He is the one who is leasing my inheritance.’ Lizzie felt more heat rise in her seeing them sidling towards them. ‘Oh. They’re coming over.’

      ‘Hi Lizzie. Good to see you.’ Cal reached for his friend’s shoulder as Charles was seconds behind. ‘This is my friend Charles. Charles Pitt-Barker. Do you mind if we join you?’ Searching Sophie’s longing face, there was really only one answer Lizzie could give.

      ‘Er, this…this is Sophie. My best friend,’ she paused. ‘She’s a doctor in Paris.’

      Cal gave them both