The Riviera Read Online Free PDF

you don’t want to stay here.’
    Jack dropped an empty bag into his lap and pulled the ring on another can of Cola.
    ‘I just can’t. And don’t ask me why. I don’t want to talk about it.’
    ‘How can I help you if I don’t know what it is you need help with?’
    Finishing his second drink, Jack put down the can and gripped his hands together as he turned, slunk down and rested on both elbows.
    ‘You wouldn’t understand, Dad.’
    Feeling the urge to straighten his back, Cal remained still and silent, just biting at his lip as Jack’s thick-lashed eyes shifted from the can to his. He swallowed hard as his chest tightened. He couldn’t recall a time when Jack had been this quiet. Usually he was bursting with energy and news with so much to tell him. Just weeks ago at the New Year party, and his birthday the day after, Jack was eager to relay his progress at school, his plans with his friends to set up a band; to be lead guitar and write his own songs. Now he appeared drained, gaunt even. Jack had clearly lost his mojo, his lust for life. Cal’s heart wept before jarring. Finally he stretched out his legs and leant on his arm facing his son.
    ‘Jack, let me in, tell me how I can help?’
    Jack thought for a moment then raised his lashes. ‘Can I come back to England with you?’
    Cal tipped his head, confused. ‘I’m not living in England any more. I’m in the south of France.’
    ‘Oh.’ Jack frowned. ‘You said you had found the land but I didn’t realise you moved already.’
    ‘Well, I moved in with Lizzie when we got back from here in January. I thought I’d told you. Well, perhaps we spoke generally at New Year, so maybe you were playing with Harry at the time. Anyway…’
    ‘My friend Robbie is going to live there and go to college there. He said I could stay with him.’
    Cal felt a chill gush through him. ‘You’re just sixteen. That’s too young to be in London alone,’ he told him, aware his son still had a lot of growing pains to go through before he had any chance of independence.
    ‘I’ll be with Robbie. He’s two years older than me so I won’t be alone.’
    ‘Jack, I need to understand what it is you’re running away from before we can even begin to think about what you are going to do after your SATS. I’m here and happy to help whatever it is. And, I’m not here to judge. Whatever it is, it’s OK. Do you understand?’
    Grinding his teeth, Jack peered up, examining his father’s face.
    ‘I promise I’m not a monster. I’m listening. I want to help. The sooner you get whatever it is off your chest, the sooner you can move on with your life. That will be your escape, no running off to London. We will work through your problem, nobody else’s. Yours. I’m your dad and it matters to me. Jack, I love you, and I care. Understood?’
    Cal raised his arm and a flat palm for a high-five. Jack slapped it, breaking a nervous smile.
    ‘Good, I’m glad that’s understood. So is it just your problem or is there someone else involved?’
    As frustrating as it was, Cal oozed out patience. He shifted his aching arm, lifting his body up to lean on the other arm. He didn’t want to suggest going into the house for fear of Jack blocking him out again. Jack wriggled about too though suggesting he was becoming more comfortable.
    Jack cleared his throat. ‘Can I just ask you, would you come to London and live there if I lived there?’
    ‘Not up for discussion. You are running away from something here.’
    Jack peered down biting his lip. ‘No, it’s what I really want. I’ve thought about it and it’s definitely where I think my future is.’
    ‘So finish your SATS here and then we’ll talk about London.’
    ‘Dad. I really want to go now. I can finish them in London. I can go to an international school.’
    Cal reached out and lifted his son’s chin. He searched his eyes for a moment. ‘Jack, explain to me why
now
is so important? What has happened?’

Chapter 5
    ‘Hi,