‘I think that would be rather good,’ Liz said.
‘How about we have a nightcap every night together? Starting tonight. And we can try to grab a couple of hours during daylight on one or two of the days left?’
‘Sounds like a plan,’ Liz said happily.
‘Good. We’d better get back to Villa Celestia now – I have dinner to cook for certain people.’ And he caught hold of her hand and they began to make their way back along the ramparts and on to the bord de mer.
26
The five of them were walking into Antibes as usual that evening when Leon phoned Helena to say he was in port and she invited him to join them for aperitifs in the bar at the top of the market.
Leon was already in the bar when they arrived and Helena quickly introduced him to everyone and he insisted on buying them all a drink, including a friend he’d met who was sitting at one of the outside tables. When they all had a drink in their hand, he leant in towards Mandy. ‘I have to take this drink out to Ben, can you join me outside, I have a favour to ask of you. Make sure Helena doesn’t come with you.’
Mandy waited until Helena was chatting away with Lorraine and Becky before taking her drink and slipping outside.
‘So what’s this favour?’ she said, walking up to Leon and nudging his arm.
‘Can you keep Helena at the villa on Wednesday until about mid-morning? I’m planning a surprise for her.’
‘Oh, is Teddy coming to surprise her for her birthday?’ As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Mandy felt the panic rising inside her. Why had she brought the subject of Teddy up?
‘Teddy? I know they are friends, but why would he do that?’
‘Because they are really good friends and you’ve all grown up together,’ Mandy said, hoping she hadn’t triggered any suspicious thoughts. ‘Don’t you usually celebrate your birthdays together?’
‘Yes,’ Leon said, giving her a strange look. ‘Teddy isn’t the surprise, it’s our mum. I’ve persuaded her to join me for Helena’s birthday and she’s arriving tomorrow. Mum has never been to the South of France before and I plan on showing her around when Helen is busy with the retreat. So can you keep her at the villa until we get there on Wednesday?’
‘I’ll do my best,’ Mandy said.
‘If you give me your number, I can text you when we’re almost there.’
Mandy told him her number and he typed it into his phone.
‘Thanks, Mandy. See you Wednesday morning.’
* * *
As Mandy and Helena walked back to the villa for dinner together, Mandy said quietly, ‘You didn’t tackle Leon about his interference?’
Helena shook her head. ‘No. Too many people around. I need him on his own so I can really tell him off.’ Helena glanced at Mandy. ‘Was my brother by any chance whispering sweet nothings in your ear back there? I saw you exchanging numbers.’
Mandy laughed. ‘He wasn’t, but he’s welcome to whisper sweet nothings in my ear if he so desires. Good-looking, your brother.’ She frantically tried to think of a reason to tell Helena why he wanted her phone number, but before she could, Helena started to speak again.
‘Be careful. My brother is lovely, but he’s always told Mum and me he’s away too much to have a steady long-term relationship with anyone. He doesn’t have a girl in every port, but he does tend to break up and leave them before things have a chance to get serious, although somehow he still manages to stay friends.’
‘All this time you’ve been wanting to introduce me to your big brother and now you are telling me to take care.’
‘I just don’t want you to be hurt. I’d love it if the two of you got together, but I’m not sure Leon is ready for commitment to anything or anybody other than his career and sailing around the world.’
‘Warning duly noted,’ Mandy said. ‘How do you think he will react to the news about you and Teddy? When you eventually tell him, of course.’
‘I’m sure he’ll accept it once he sees how happy Teddy and I are together. If he doesn’t…’ Helena shrugged.
* * *
Taking his usual shower that evening, Guy’s thoughts drifted back to the afternoon with Liz. It had been fun, she was good company and he knew his feelings were running dangerously close to wanting a closer relationship with her. They’d only met a week ago, for goodness’ sake, and yet here he was counting down the hours until their evening nightcap. The thought that this time next week she’d be gone and he’d be back to rattling around in an empty villa, alone and miserable, brought him up short. No way was that going to happen. No more ‘I want to be Mr Miserable all alone.’ He was still young enough to build a new life for himself. Even have a new loving relationship with someone. He would not let the past spoil his future.
Stepping out of the shower, Guy grabbed the towel and vigorously dried himself. He’d been unable to answer Liz’s question ‘what’s next’ this afternoon, but he did now realise things had to change. He had to put the last terrible months behind him and move on with his life. Opening the villa up for Sandy and her retreat had been a push in that direction, but the next step would be up to him. He alone could decide to face a new life head on or to let it pass him by.
