Making a mental note to quiz Chloe about how she found the cabin – had they got it right? Had they forgotten anything that guests would want? Were the beds comfortable? – she left and made her way back through the campsite to the office.

It was mid-afternoon as Belinda was working on the computer in the office alongside Marie when she heard a car arrive and glanced up to see Chloe pulling into a parking slot. She rushed out to meet them and opened the passenger door.

‘Hi, darling, let me jump in and show you straight to your cabin. Hi, you two monsters,’ she said, looking at the twins strapped into their safety seats in the back.

‘Gangan,’ they shouted, both holding their arms out.

‘Two minutes,’ Belinda promised. ‘And then lots of cuddles.’

‘There aren’t enough beds in the house Alain and I share, so I hope you like the cabin,’ she said to Chloe as she pointed the way. ‘You’re a bit of a guinea pig really as I want a full report on how good it is to stay in.’

Belinda lifted the twins out of the car and held on to them as Chloe parked on the hardstanding that each cabin had down one side, before helping her carry the suitcases in.

‘How was the crossing?’ Belinda asked.

‘Good. I’m glad we did a daytime one, there were lots of activities for the kids on board. This all looks lovely, Mum,’ Chloe said. ‘I’ve been looking forward so much to this break. Wish Max could have come too, but…’ She shrugged.

‘Did Charlie and Aimee sleep in the car? If they’re not too tired, we can take them down to the river. It’s only a short walk. Make sure they sleep tonight.’

‘Don’t know about them, but I’m tired,’ Chloe said. ‘Think it might be an early night.’

The next couple of hours flew by as Belinda showed Chloe and the twins the river, introduced the three of them to Fern, walked back through the campsite slowly, giving the twins a go on the newly refurbished tree swings and buying them an ice cream from the shop. There was no sign of Alain anywhere, but Belinda guessed he’d be in the office and didn’t want to take the twins there in case they caused havoc. She’d introduce him to Chloe and the twins at supper.

When they got back to the house, Chloe and Belinda kept an eye on the twins while they organised supper. Charlie and Aimee had shrieked with delight on seeing BB again and played ball with him until the dog was panting and Chloe told them to stop. Now the twins were playing a game of their own making, involving stones and sticks in the small garden.