42
The text arrived about an hour later as Guy and Liz were discussing where to go for lunch and preparing to leave.
This is Leon Mitchell. Would it be convenient to come and see you this evening? Between eight and ten o’clock?
Guy immediately sent a message.
Yes. Come for supper at eight.
Thank you. See you then.
As the acceptance text pinged into his phone, Guy heaved a great sigh of relief. ‘Finally contact. Now to get through the rest of the day trying to keep my mind off this evening. Are you ready to go out?’
Liz nodded. ‘As ready as I’ll ever be – just need to grab my bag and hat. Where are we going?’
‘I thought we’d drive up to the medieval village of Mougins. Lots of good restaurants up there to choose from for lunch. And it’s a nice drive.’ Guy took the villa keys and a set of car keys off the keyboard in the kitchen. ‘And the bonus is you get a ride in my pride and joy.’
Guy’s pride and joy turned out to be a beautiful fully restored vintage ‘E’ type Jaguar. ‘I’ve never been in one of these,’ Liz said. ‘When you said your ambition was to own a top-of-the-range car, I never imagined it would be a vintage one too. It’s beautiful.’
Guy opened the passenger door and Liz sat on the leather seat of the low-slung car. Guy closed the door and walked round to the driver’s side.
‘I hope you don’t mind the attention we’re sure to attract. Every time I take the car out, people always stop and look at her.’ He turned the ignition key and there was a healthy rumble from the engine. Guy waited for a few seconds before slipping the car into first gear, releasing the handbrake and they were off.
Driving along coast road round Cap d’Antibes, Guy said. ‘Little-known fact that I think of every time I bring the car along here. This was part of the Antibes Grand Prix track way back between the wars. I love the curves and corners on this part.’
The rest of the scenic drive along the bord de mer from Antibes and then up into the back country behind Cannes was over far too quickly for Liz. As Guy found a parking space in the car park at the foot of the old village, she looked at him. ‘Do you ever take the car on the autoroute?’
Guy nodded. ‘We can go back that way if you like, it’s quicker – only sixteen kilometres instead of the twenty we’ve just done.’
Liz shook her head. ‘No, I loved the scenic route. I just wondered whether you ever drove her at speed.’
‘Sometimes but not often, she’s an old lady really. Needs treating gently. Come on, let’s explore Mougins and then find somewhere for lunch.’
Wandering hand in hand around the ancient narrow lanes and flights of steps all spiralling around the bell tower, Liz was enchanted by Mougins. Bougainvillaea covered walls, olive trees grew in pots and scarlet geraniums tumbled down steps.
Sitting having an aperitif for lunch at a restaurant in one of the squares, she sighed happily. ‘I love it here,’ she said. ‘I’ve never felt the urge to write a historical novel, but if I were to spend time here, who knows?’
‘It does get very crowded in summer,’ Guy said. ‘But then everywhere down here does. You can’t move for people during the day and at night the restaurants are always busy. There are quiet hidden-away corners, of course.’
The waiter arrived to take their food order at that moment. Liz, knowing they would be eating later with Leon, ordered a simple salade Niçoise, whilst Guy ordered the monk fish. They both declined wine, Guy because he was driving and Liz still had most of her aperitif.
As the waiter left them, Guy looked at Liz. ‘I’m glad you stayed on for a few days – wish it was longer – and I’m glad you’re with me for tonight’s meeting.’ He paused. ‘I know it’s silly and irrational, but what if tonight goes wrong? What if Leon and I don’t like each other? What if?—’
‘Stop it, Guy. You are being silly and irrational. I’ve met Leon and you will like him, I know. It might take time, there’s a lot of catching up and learning about each other to do, but it will be all right.’
* * *
Joan, not feeling particularly hungry, had a croissant and coffee for breakfast in her hotel room and was packing the last of her things into her suitcase on Monday morning when Leon turned up full of apologies. ‘Sorry I didn’t see you yesterday, Mum, all sorts of things going wrong on the yacht. Supposed to be leaving on a charter sometime this week.’
‘You haven’t been able to go and see Guy either then?’ Joan said, disappointed. ‘When do you think you’ll get to see him? The poor man must be frantic. Shall I ring him and tell him work has kept you busy?’
‘No. It’s been all hands on deck to get the yacht ready and also I used up most of my time off for the week for certain birthday celebrations. But I messaged him this morning.’ Leon took a deep breath. ‘I’m having supper with him at Villa Celestia tonight. He sounded as keen as I am to meet.’
‘Oh, thank goodness.’ Joan heaved a sigh of relief. ‘You will let me know how it goes afterwards, won’t you?’
‘Of course. You have got a taxi booked, haven’t you? Good.’
‘Can I have a hug before you go, please?’ Joan said. ‘Are you likely to be home any time this summer?’ She put her arms around her son and held him tight.
