‘Not really. The first I knew Jake had a brother was when he gave me his signet ring; he told me he and his brother had been given identical ones on their twenty-first birthdays. He promised he’d take me to meet you and the rest of your family as soon as the season down here finished and we both went back to the UK.’
‘All those years ago when Jake’s body came home for burial, we wondered what had happened to his signet ring. We just figured some opportunist had stolen it. You said you had two questions?’
Joan gave him a small smile. ‘I’d like to visit his grave if there is one?’
‘Jake was cremated. There is no grave as such,’ Guy said gently. ‘My parents kept the ashes and when they moved to Dorset soon after Jake’s death, they found a lovely memorial garden and scattered them under an oak tree which they planted in his memory. It’s a beautiful serene place – overlooks the English Channel. We must arrange a date to take you and Leon there.’ Guy swallowed before he asked. ‘Did he know you were pregnant when he left for Sicily?’
‘No. I didn’t know myself until I’d been back in the UK for about a month.’
‘What happened when you went home?’ Guy asked gently.
‘I was a complete and utter mess. Heartbroken and grieving. My parents were wonderful after the initial shock of hearing about Jake’s death. When I discovered I was pregnant, they stood by me. Very supportive and upset for me as I tried to get on with life as best I could. There was no question of me terminating the pregnancy, it had become my only reason to live. If you want Leon to do a DNA test by the way, I’m quite happy to organise that.’
Guy shook his head. ‘I don’t think we need to go down that route. You’ve told me Leon is the image of Jake and once I get to meet him…’ Guy ran his fingers through his hair. ‘This all feels slightly unreal at the moment. I don’t think I will believe it’s true until I meet Leon in the flesh.’
‘Believe it, you definitely have a thirty-four-year-old nephew,’ Joan said. ‘And don’t be surprised if he turns up here unexpectedly, will you?’
‘I look forward to it. Although I have to warn you that if he hasn’t turned up by tomorrow, I shall go searching the marina for his boat until I find him. Now I know about him, I have to meet him. Joan,’ he hesitated. ‘I want to thank you for being brave enough to ask about the photograph, even though it must have brought bittersweet memories back for you. As well as gaining a nephew, I feel, too, that I’ve also met my sister-in-law for the first time and gained a family. I would like to be part of your lives from now on and that includes Helena. I hope she will think of me as her uncle as well as Leon’s.’
‘Thank you, Guy, that’s lovely. We’ve got a lot to learn about each other’s family.’
Guy nodded. ‘We have. When do you fly back to the UK?’
‘Tomorrow morning.’
‘Can I take you to the airport?’
‘Taxi is already booked. Thank you for the offer, though. Now, I must say goodbye to Helena before she leaves.’
‘I think she is in the garden saying goodbye with the others. Come on, I’ll take you through and leave you to say goodbye.’
* * *
The five women were saying their goodbyes after swapping emails and Lorraine was making sure they were all signed into the WhatsApp group – French Retreat Writers – and they all promised to keep in touch.
‘Have you booked a taxi?’ Isobel asked Liz. ‘I think our flights are quite close together, we can share one.’
‘I’m not leaving today,’ Liz said quietly. ‘I decided to take your advice and seize the day.’
‘Thank goodness for that,’ Isobel said, a big smile on her face. ‘I thought you would chicken out. When you do get back, phone me.’
Helena had just closed her phone down when Joan walked into the garden and she gave her mum a sad smile.
‘I’ve been trying to change my ticket to travel back with you tomorrow, but it’s impossible,’ she said. ‘But Teddy has said he’ll come with me to meet you tomorrow.’
‘That’s kind of him,’ Joan said. ‘Can I talk to you alone quickly?’
‘Of course, let’s go over nearer the fountain,’ Helen said. ‘What’s up?’
‘Have you spoken to Leon this morning?’
Helena shook her head. ‘No. Why?’
‘I was able to give him some news last night about his biological father,’ Joan said.
Helena gave her a wide-eyed look. ‘How did that happen?’
‘It wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t come to this villa on a writing retreat, so he needs to thank you for that.’ Joan laughed. ‘So do I actually, because I’ve also learnt some new things. One of which is I discovered that Leon has an uncle,’ Joan said. ‘An uncle who wants to meet him and be involved in his life, and ours. And the uncle is?—’
