Belinda remembered how resentful and unhappy she’d felt that first day, wanting to be anywhere but Camping dans La Forêt. Now she was in a different turmoil with decisions to be made about things she’d never expected to have to give a second’s thought to. She couldn’t help wondering too, what exactly Alain had meant by his comment she wasn’t what he’d expected. Her mobile had rung in the sudden silence that had followed his words with a message from Chloe and the moment had gone before she could ask him.

Yann was busy moving beer barrels as she walked past the village bar and called out a cheerful, ‘Bonjour, Belinda,’ when he saw her. She waved and called back as she made for the church and the road to the auberge.

As she walked up the drive, she heard voices in the back garden, so rather than knock on the door, she made her way to the back of the house. Fern and Anouk were sitting with coffee on the terrace, looking at something on the laptop between them, and they both turned as she called out, ‘Coo-ee.’

Lady came bounding over to BB and once Belinda had released him from the lead, the two dogs set off on a mad session of joyful play in the garden.

‘I think they’ve missed each other,’ Belinda said, laughing. ‘Hi, how are you two?’

‘I’m fine thank you,’ Anouk said. ‘I think the same can be said of Fern too,’ she said with a smile, looking at Fern.

‘Coffee?’ Fern asked, reaching for the cafetière and going to stand up to fetch a cup from the kitchen.

‘No thanks. I had one before I left the campsite. Thanks for supper last night, it was delicious.’ Belinda put the dish down on the table.

‘Grab a chair and sit down,’ Fern said. ‘I would have collected the dish later today. You didn’t have to bring it back.’

Belinda shrugged. ‘I fancied a walk and wanted to see you.’

‘We thought about you yesterday,’ Anouk said. ‘How did it go?’

‘Better than I thought it would, if I’m honest, but emotional and difficult at times,’ Belinda answered. ‘I was a bundle of nerves when we got there. Alain took charge and calmed me down.’ She took a deep breath. ‘Dad told me he’d never expected to see me again.’ Belinda sighed. ‘I sat with him, held his hand and we talked. We both cried a bit, a lot actually, him while I was there and me when I left. Seeing him so ill and remembering how strong he was years ago…’ Belinda shook her head.

‘Has anybody given you an idea how long he has?’ Fern asked gently.