Belinda watched as both Charlie and Aimee hugged and kissed him goodbye before running over to her.

‘Bye bye, Gangan.’

‘Bye bye, you two. I’ll see you soon,’ Belinda said, watching as Chloe strapped them both into their seats. She gave Chloe a hug. ‘Travel safe. Let me know when you’re home.’

‘Will do,’ and Chloe gave Alain a goodbye hug before getting in the car and starting the engine. She wound the window down and beckoned Belinda over.

Puzzled, Belinda said, ‘What is it? Have you forgotten something?’

‘No. I just wanted to say, I don’t think you should come to the Vendée with Max and me. Love you.’ Giving her mum a mischievous smile, she drove off, leaving a speechless Belinda staring after the car. What was that all about?

Standing next to Alain, stood waving as Chloe disappeared out of sight, Belinda’s mobile buzzed. Absently, she pulled the phone out of her pocket and, not looking at the caller ID, pressed the receive button.

‘Hello?’

‘Madame Marshall?’

The moment she heard the measured tone of the hospice nurse, Belinda knew what she’d phoned to tell her.

‘I’m sorry to have to tell you that your father, Enzo Belrose, passed away early this morning.’

‘Thank you…’ Belinda couldn’t get any more words out and collapsed against Alain as he put his arm around her, took the phone and spoke in rapid French to the nurse.

Ending the call, he put the phone in his own pocket and pulled Belinda’s shaking body against him in a tight embrace, and let her cry her heart out.

Later that evening, Belinda and Alain were sitting in the cottage garden after supper, although Belinda had played with most of her food rather than eating it. Whatever she’d expected to feel when the end came for her dad, it hadn’t been this huge sense of loss that made her feel even guiltier for all the wasted years.

When Belinda’s mobile rang, she looked at Alain in surprise.

‘My phone sounds as though it’s ringing from your pocket. I expect that is Chloe saying she’s home.’

Alain smiled. ‘I forgot I still had it,’ and he handed it to her. But it was Anouk, not Chloe.

‘Belinda, ma cherie. Sad news today, I’m so sorry.’

‘Thank you.’

‘I have to tell you what I have just heard from a relative of Enzo’s.’

Belinda stilled and waited.

‘There will be no religious ceremony, just a private burial at the cemetery the day after tomorrow, but she, Helena, is not telling anyone what time. Says she doesn’t want anyone there. I ’ave to tell you, this is not normal in France. We like to say a final farewell to our loved ones.’