Leon shook his head. ‘Doubt it. I’ll video call you whenever I’ve got a moment. Have a safe journey home, Mum. I’ll ring you when I’ve met Guy.’
* * *
Monday evening, the lasagne was in the oven and Guy had poured him and Liz a small glass of red wine. ‘Need something to calm me down,’ he said as he handed Liz a glass. Even though they were both anticipating the villa front door bell ringing, when it did, they both jumped.
Liz, realising how anxious Guy actually was, said quietly, ‘You get the lasagne out of the oven and I’ll let him in.’
‘Thanks. I feel unbelievably nervous.’
‘It’s going to be fine,’ Liz said.
Opening the front door, Liz smiled at Leon. ‘Hi. Guy is going to be so happy to see you. Ever since your mum told him about your existence, he’s been in a state of high anticipation.’
‘I thought the retreat finished yesterday morning?’ Leon said, following her towards the kitchen and clearly surprised by her presence.
‘It did. I stayed on to be with Guy. Come on through and meet him, he’s prepared supper. Nothing fancy – just lasagne and salad. Guy, Leon is here,’ Liz said, leading the way into the kitchen.
Guy straightened up from the dish he’d taken out of the oven and placed it on the table and turned to greet Leon with a smile before he froze in disbelief. The words ‘Oh my god’ barely audible as he stared at his nephew for the first time.
Leon hovered in the doorway, uncertain as to what he should do. ‘Mum has always told me I look like my dad. I guess for you it’s a little scary seeing me. Do I truly look like him that much?’
Guy nodded. ‘It’s like seeing a ghost for me. You could be Jake.’ Guy finally moved forward towards Leon. ‘Can I hug you?’
Leon nodded. And the two of them stayed with their arms around each other for more than a minute before Guy pulled back and looked at Leon.
‘I idolised my big brother and when he died, I was bereft. No other word for it. I can’t tell you how much it means to me – and my dad, your grandfather – to have you turn up in our lives. I wish we’d known about you years ago.’
‘I’ve got a grandfather as well as an uncle?’
Guy nodded. ‘You have.’
‘Would you like me to leave you two alone to get to know each other?’ Liz asked.
‘No,’ Guy said instantly. ‘You and I are together now. We can all get to know each other at the same time. Why didn’t you come earlier? Straight after your mum had told you about me?’
‘I’m sorry about the delay in contacting you. Having always wanted to know about my biological father, actually learning I had a relative was mind-blowing. And it wasn’t a good time to get time off work because things have going wrong with the yacht, but also I wanted to wait until Mum had left. I didn’t want to upset her more than I have done already by rushing to meet you. But she ended up being cross with me for not contacting you quickly.’
‘Why don’t you two sit down at the table and we’ll eat,’ Liz said placing the salad on the table. ‘I’m guessing you have a deadline to get back to the yacht?’
Leon nodded.
‘Guy, maybe pour the wine while I get the bread?’
Guy, who was still staring at Leon, nodded absently. ‘Yes of course.’ As he poured the wine, he saw the signet ring on Leon’s hand. ‘You’re wearing Jake’s ring.’
‘Yes, Mum gave it to me yesterday. She said if I didn’t want it, you should have it. Do you want it?’
‘Do you?’ Guy asked seriously.
There was a short silence before Leon answered. ‘I do. First, though, I want you talk to me about the man who wore this ring. The father I can only know through you. Unfortunately, tonight I have to get back to the yacht. And we’re due to sail on Wednesday. We won’t be back in Port Vauban for about two weeks, but can I come and see you and we talk properly then?’
‘Definitely.’
‘I do have a favour to ask of you. Do you have a photo of my father that I could have? I’ve never had one, never even seen one. Mum didn’t have any. She always said it wasn’t like it is now, everyone snapping away on their phones.’
‘Yes, I can give you a photo,’ Guy said. ‘I have one in my bedroom.’ He glanced at Liz.
‘Shall I fetch it for you?’ she asked.
