Fern took her time walking Lady to Camping dans La Forêt, listening to the birds singing in the hedgerows and enjoying the sight of primroses nestled in the verges. She’d always found this time of year joyous as the countryside burgeoned back from the drabness of winter’s bare branches and started to wear its summer clothes. This year, it seemed to her that the early colours were that little bit brighter.

Belinda was in the office with Alain, both of them intent on some papers spread out over the desk as Fern opened the door and walked in.

‘Hi, you two. Am I interrupting a busy morning? Anouk virtually threw me out of the house this morning for a walk,’ Fern said, looking at her friend and noting the puffy eyes and tiredness etched on her face. ‘Can I drag you away for a walk down to the river?’ She saw Belinda hesitate and look at Alain.

‘Sounds like a plan to me,’ Alain said. ‘You can grab a croissant from the shop too, since you didn’t ’ave any breakfast. This can wait until later,’ he added, looking at Belinda and gesturing at the plan.

‘You sure? Thanks,’ Belinda said. ‘Come on BB,’ and she clipped his lead onto his collar.

Fern waited outside the shop with the two dogs while Belinda bought a couple of almond slices and together they ambled down through the campsite towards the river.

‘Are you okay?’ Fern asked quietly. ‘You don’t look too good, if I’m honest.’

‘Didn’t sleep very well last night,’ Belinda admitted. ‘Did Anouk tell you what she told me?’

‘Just the barest outline of your dad being married before he met your mum.’

‘Did she also mention my father is still alive and living back in our old family home with his wife – the one he was legally married to while supposedly married to my mum,’ Belinda said bitterly before sighing and biting her bottom lip. Fern realised she was struggling to find her next words. ‘The fact that he is dying is another “something” that has added to my angst.’ She was silent for a few seconds. ‘Do I go and see him or not?’ Belinda turned to Fern. ‘Alain has offered to take me but…’ She wiped tears off her cheeks. ‘What do you think?’

‘Will you regret it if you don’t go and see him?’ Fern asked.

‘There’s already a long list of regrets in my head concerning him. Adding one more to the pile won’t make a difference.’

‘Possibly not, but the fact that this particular chance will never be there again once he’s dead is inescapable,’ Fern said.

‘But I can’t even be sure that he’ll want to see me,’ Belinda muttered.