‘I haven’t told Nigel yet, but I’m not going to work for the new owners. At the end of this month, I’ll go home, work a month’s notice, clear out the flat, move in with Chloe, start job hunting and hope and pray I have a new job and home before they move to the Vendée.’

Alain poured them both a glass of wine and they clinked glasses before Belinda continued.

‘I’ve also told my friend, Jane, to visit before the end of the month. I don’t want the new owners sending me a bill for an unauthorised holiday.’

‘That won’t happen,’ Alain said, laughing.

‘You can’t be sure; I know what these hard-headed businessmen are like.’ Belinda sighed. ‘I can’t believe how much I’m going to miss this place.’

‘Then stay. Work with me. You are good, together we could make this place really work.’ Alain stared at her, waiting for a reply.

Surprised at the way her heart jumped at his offer and filled her with the overwhelming desire to do just that, Belinda knew that it was an impossible dream and pushed the thought away.

‘Nice idea, but no. And, just so you know, it’s not you, it’s them.’ Which was the partial truth. She longed to say yes to working with this new gentler Alain, someone whom she was getting to appreciate having in her life, but who knew what the new owners were going to be like?

‘Well, if you ever change your mind, let me know. Come on, let’s eat,’ and Alain took the lasagna out of the oven.

After they’d helped themselves and started to eat, Alain glanced at Belinda curiously.

‘Did you ever have a dream when you were younger? Something that you wanted to do so badly it became an obsession?’

‘Not really. Although at one stage I desperately wanted to be a rally driver. The summer we left, Dad had bought me a 2CV like yours but…’ She shrugged. ‘Let’s not go there tonight,’ and she picked up her wine glass and took several gulps.

‘I’ve had this dream, not since I was a kid, but for a good few years now. Camping dans La Forêt is at the heart of it.’ Alain forked a spoonful of lasagna up. ‘You know of Michael Morpurgo, the writer?’

‘Yes, I’ve heard of him. I’ve even bought a couple of his books. He and his wife are famous for starting Farms for City Children in England.’