Liz quickly stopped him. ‘None for me. I’m going swimming later, remember.’
‘Completely slipped my mind,’ Guy said, replacing the bottle on the table. ‘I had a visitor today.’
‘I know. Joan Mitchell. I saw you coming upstairs with her after you cancelled our date.’
‘I am sorry about that, we’ll definitely do the Picasso another day,’ Guy said. ‘Joan was in a bit of a state and the cognac was to help calm both her and me. She’d seen the photograph of me and Jake in the hallway? You know the one?’
Liz nodded.
‘Apparently she and my brother were in love, planning to marry when he died. As a family we had no idea he was in a serious relationship. And no idea that eight months after his death she gave birth to his son.’
Liz looked at him wide-eyed. ‘Helena’s older brother Leon is his son?’
Guy nodded happily. ‘I’ve got a thirty-four-year-old nephew whom I’ve never met. To say I’m stunned…’ he shook his head. ‘My dad is going to love having a grandson. Wish my ma was still with us, she’d be over the moon too.’
‘Why has Joan never contacted you before?’
‘She didn’t know enough about us to find us. All she knew was Jake’s family lived somewhere on the outskirts of London. As for us, we had no idea Jake had a serious girlfriend. She says her relationship with Jake was a realcoup de foudre, as the French say, and they lived in a bubble of love during the six or seven weeks they were able to be together.’
Liz smiled. ‘I do think it’s rather wonderful that you’ve discovered an unknown nephew. Leon is rather nice too.’
‘You’ve met him?’
‘Yes, on one of our aperitif outings. He arranged for Joan to surprise Helena on her birthday and he needed Mandy to help.’
‘What’s he like? Joan says he’s the image of his father.’
‘I don’t know about that, but he is rather handsome. Looking at you now, I realise there is a certain family likeness to you. When do you get to meet him?’
Guy shrugged. ‘I don’t know. Joan wanted time to talk to him first, so soon, I hope. My head is all over the place.’
‘Come swimming tonight – the cold water will sort you out.’
Guy shook his head. ‘I’ll come down with you, maybe even paddle, but not even for you am I swimming in water that is below twenty degrees.’
‘Wimp!’ Liz said laughing.
* * *
Both swimmers and non-swimmers were on the beach at midnight for the last swim. Guy and Liz walking down hand in hand were the last to arrive and Sandy greeted them both with a knowing smile. Which Guy returned with a happy grin and eyes that told her not to make any comment.
As the four women did their usual brave run into the water without stopping, Sandy, Isobel, Becky and Guy clapped them on their way. Sandy had brought two big flasks of creamy hot chocolate and Isobel a large packet of biscuits. And ten minutes later they were all enjoying a welcome hot chocolate.
As everyone started to walk up the beach and back to the villa, Guy caught hold of Liz’s hand and slowed their pace down until they were slightly behind the others when he stopped and turned to face her.
‘Do you have to leave on Sunday? I’d love you to stay on for a few days? Spend time together with no distractions.’
Surprised, Liz stared at him. ‘I… I don’t know.’
‘Please think about it. I meant what I said the other evening, I want you in my future life. I hope you want to be with me too. I know we’ve virtually only just met, but I feel we do have a definite connection, don’t we?’
‘We do,’ Liz whispered. ‘Can I think about it? Just overnight?’ she added as she saw Guy’s face fill with disappointment. ‘I want to say yes straightaway, but…’ She shook her head. ‘Sensibly I need to think about it too.’
36
‘Fancy a wander around the Saturday market this morning?’ Liz asked Isobel at breakfast. ‘Maybe buy a large bunch of flowers and a box of chocolates to give to Sandy as a thank you this evening from all of us. I’d quite like to buy some soap and olive oil to take home too – and for you to give me some advice.’
‘Sounds good,’ Isobel said. ‘Shall we have lunch out too?’
