‘I was going to ask Fern if she and Anouk would mind babysitting them,’ Belinda said.

Alain shook his head. ‘It will be a short visit, I think. I look after them. We take my car and leave at nine o’clock. D’accord?’

‘Thank you,’ Belinda said.

The next day, once the twins’ safety seats, as well as their buggy, had been transferred to Alain’s 4 x 4 and BB had been handed over to Bernie, they left for the hospice. Chloe, in the back with the twins, quietly reading them their favourite story. Belinda, sitting in the front next to Alain, wondered whether Enzo would be compos mentis enough to know they were there, or whether the drugs would have dulled his mind too much.

Less than an hour later, she was surprised when Alain turned into the hospice grounds. The quiet journey had passed quicker than she’d expected.

Alain parked and turned the engine off. ‘Right. You two, go. The twins and I will walk while we wait.’ He touched Belinda’s arm gently. ‘I hope it is not too difficult for you.’

Belinda gave him a wan smile before she and Chloe got out of the car and walked towards the hospice. Belinda, relieved to see the nurse she knew in the foyer, went straight over to her.

‘Ah, Mrs Marshall, and your daughter. Enzo is more disorientated today than the day you saw him. I think perhaps one person at a time standing by his bedside. If you come first to see him, I’ll fetch her afterwards.’

Belinda nodded and followed her as Chloe went to sit on one of the chairs in the waiting area.

The nurse stayed at the back of the room as Belinda went to stand by the side of her father’s bed and gently took his hand in hers. ‘Dad, it’s me Belinda.’

At her words, his eyes opened briefly and she felt a slight squeeze of her hand before his eyes closed again and he drifted away. Belinda bit her lip as she looked at him. He was definitely weaker today.

The nurse touched her arm. ‘I’ll fetch your daughter.’

Belinda glanced at her and nodded. She sensed that her father was struggling to cope with any interaction. She didn’t want to tire him out. Better to cut her time with him short so that he could meet Chloe.

‘Dad, Chloe, your granddaughter, has come with me today. The nurse will bring her to you.’ She bent and kissed him gently on the forehead. ‘Bye, Dad. God bless.’ Instinct told her she was unlikely to see him again.

Belinda turned as the nurse ushered Chloe into the room and spoke quietly to her.