‘Can I see him? Meet him at least once?’ Chloe asked quietly.

‘I’ve shown him a photo of you and the twins and I’ve promised him, if the doctor allows it, I will take you to see him.’

‘Thanks.’

The two of them sat silently for several moments, both lost in their own thoughts, before Belinda spoke again.

‘I thought maybe one day while you’re here we could go for a drive around. You said once I’d never told you about where I grew up.’

‘Yes, I’d like that.’ Chloe stifled a yawn.

Belinda stood up. ‘I’ll leave you to go to bed. I guess the twins will wake early as usual?’

‘Oh yes. Six thirty, if I’m lucky,’ Chloe said.

‘I’ll walk down with breakfast croissants for you in the morning. Sleep well.’

‘Thanks, Mum. See you tomorrow then.’

Walking back through the campsite, Belinda passed a few people sitting outside their caravans enjoying the lengthening shadows and the bats that were flitting around. Too early for the owls to be calling, but Belinda knew she’d hear them later on. It was a sound she loved and one she’d miss when she left.

Alain was sitting out on the terrace reading when she got back to the cottage. ‘Chloe settled in all right?’

Belinda nodded. ‘Twins are fast asleep too.’ She sank down on the chair next to him. ‘You done your last patrol?’

Alain nodded. ‘Oui. You like a nightcap?’

‘One of your hot chocolates? Mmm, please. That would be lovely.’

Alain disappeared to the kitchen and Belinda closed her eyes. It seemed only seconds before he was back with two mugs of hot chocolate, one of which he handed Belinda.

‘Thank you. And thank you for clearing up after supper.’ Belinda smiled at him before taking an appreciative sip of her drink. ‘Any idea what the forecast is for the next few days?’

‘Cloudy with sunshine.’

‘I’ve promised I’ll give Chloe a short guided tour of where I grew up while she’s here.’

‘It is a good thing for you to do?’ Alain asked. ‘It won’t upset you?’

‘No, I don’t think it will,’ Belinda said thoughtfully. ‘Having the twins with us will ensure that the memories don’t get out of hand.’

42

The next morning when Belinda collected a bag of croissants from the shop and walked down to the cabin, the twins were already outside playing ball with Bernie, while Chloe watched. Belinda called out her usual Breton greeting to Bernie and he waved at her.

‘I tried my schoolgirl French out, but I’m not sure he totally understood me,’ Chloe said. ‘He seems a lovely man.’

‘He is, but he only speaks Breton, although I know he does understand some basic French.’