‘Dad, I’m so sorry, I completely forgot the time difference.’
‘Apology accepted. Not like you to make a mistake like that – so what’s up? And who is the young lady standing next to you? Good morning, my dear.’
‘Good morning, Mr Lyon,’ Liz said.
‘I’m Edwin to family and friends and as you must be a friend of Guy’s to be with him at this hour of the morning, you can call me Edwin.’
‘Thank you… Edwin,’ Liz said, feeling a little embarrassed at his straightforward acceptance of her being with Guy at such an early hour. ‘It’s lovely to meet you.’
‘This is Liz James, my new forever partner,’ Guy said quietly.
There was a short silence and Liz anxiously studied the face on the screen that was looking at her equally anxiously.
Finally, Edwin gave a nod. ‘Yes. When do I get the pleasure of meeting you in person, Liz?’
‘Very soon,’ Guy said. ‘But I have more news as well. News that I planned on telling you on a visit because it’s going to be a shock even though it’s wonderful news, but I’m not sure when I’m going to be able to get over to Dorset. And it’s not news I want to keep a secret. So face to face on video it has to be.’
‘After that build-up you’d better spill it out. Do I need to sit down?’
‘Probably,’ Liz answered. ‘It would be for the best. It is pretty major news.’
They both watched the screen and saw Edwin pull a kitchen chair out and sit down.
‘Go on then.’
Guy took a deep breath. ‘An old girlfriend of Jake’s came to see me this week. She and Jake were in a relationship when he died.’ Guy paused, watching his father closely, saw him close his eyes and take a breath before opening them, waiting for Guy to continue. ‘Jake didn’t know, but she was pregnant. You have a grandson called Leon, who is thirty-four years old.’
Edwin’s eyes widened. Guy watched and waited for his father to speak. His voice was shaky when he did.
‘Have you met him?’
‘No, not yet. Liz has, though.’
‘He’s a lovely boy – man,’ Liz assured Edwin.
‘Do we have to do DNA tests? Make sure she’s telling the truth. What’s her name?’ Edwin’s voice was gruff now. Liz suspected he was close to tears.
‘Joan Mitchell. She’s offered to arrange DNA tests, but she also tells me Leon is the image of Jake. So when I meet him…’ Guy’s voice trailed away.
‘When will that be?’
‘No idea, but I expect some time soon. He’s here on a yacht in Antibes,’ Guy said quietly.
‘He works on the yachts?’
Guy nodded. ‘He’s a yacht engineer.’
There was a short silence. Guy watched his father anxiously. Had it been a mistake to not be with him when he broke the news about Leon? He let out a sigh of relief, when a smile broke across Edwin’s face.
‘Sounds like he’s inherited Jake’s genes with a love of the sea,’ Edwin said. ‘Bring him home soon, I need to think about what this means. An unknown grandson turning up. Never in a thousand years did I expect that.’ Edwin shook his head. ‘Call me later?’
‘Of course,’ Guy said.
‘And, Liz, I look forward to meeting you properly soon.’
‘I plan on bringing both of them to Dorset as soon as I can. Take care, Dad. Bye,’ Guy said. But his father had ended the call. ‘I hope the emotional shock of that news wasn’t too much for him,’ he said, looking anxiously at Liz.
‘I think the news was a shock, but he looked happy about it,’ Liz said. ‘I think he’s probably absorbing the fact that he’s been a grandfather all these years without knowing. Lots of catching up to do.’
