‘You ’ave eaten?’ he asked. ‘I think to have a sandwich and a beer before bed. Peut-être you join me?’

Surprised at the offer, Belinda nodded. ‘I’d love a sandwich and a glass of wine,’ she said and followed him into the kitchen. She poured herself a glass of wine and opened a beer for Alain while he buttered some bread and made some ham sandwiches. Minutes later, they were sitting companionably on the settee in front of the fire, which Alain brought back to life with a few small logs.

There was something different about Alain tonight, Belinda decided, trying to work out what it was. Sitting there with BB sprawled across his feet waiting for stray crumbs and the odd crust that Belinda realised Alain was feeding him, the man looked positively at home. Definitely more relaxed. Definitely friendlier. Definitely happier.

‘Nigel and I had a good discussion yesterday about the camp, about what needs doing for the season,’ she said. ‘We’ve got a busy few weeks ahead of us. I’ve come back with revised plans and a new budget. We’ll go through it together tomorrow. Nigel said the glamping pods were cancelled until next year and that you had suggested building a couple of tree houses?’ She looked at him questioningly.

‘Much more in keeping with a family-orientated site, don’t you think?’ Alain said.

‘They won’t bring in as much money as pods.’

‘It’s not all about the money though, is it?’ Alain asked quietly. ‘I know the site ’as to be profitable, but it needs a balance too. We’re in the ’eart of the countryside ’ere, people should be able to enjoy the things nature offers. Rather than a plastic bubble filled with luxuries.’

Belinda watched him as he drained his bottle of beer and replaced it on the table. Why was he so set on everything being as nature intended? This was the twenty-first century. They needed some technology to be available for campers.

‘It’s all coming together. Everything that needed painting and smartening up has been done. All the white goods ’ave arrived for the cabins, new furniture is on order and the grounds are looking spring-like. Bernie, he ’as been working hard with me on them,’ Alain said.

‘Do we have anybody staying on site at the moment?’ Belinda asked.

‘Six camper vans and one caravan.’

‘I’ll wander round tomorrow and take some photos for the website,’ Belinda said. ‘We need to keep it up to date. Now it’s live we’ll soon start to get some bookings and money in.’ She finished her sandwich and stood up. ‘That was good, thank you. It’s been a long day, so I’ll say goodnight, see you in the morning.’

‘I’ll shut the fire down and lock up. The bathroom’s all yours.’

‘Thanks.’