‘Ooh, sounds intriguing,’ Jane said. ‘Tell me more.’

‘Too much to tell for now. We’ll have a good catch-up when you’re here,’ Belinda promised. ‘I’ll tell you everything then.’

Thoughtfully, Belinda put her phone down. She had made a decision, but she wasn’t going to share it with anyone until she knew for certain it was the right one. And she wouldn’t have the answer to that until the night of the party.

The campsite was a hive of activity the next day, with bunting and lights being hung and draped around trees and buildings. The tall oak trees and the silver birches that lined some of the paths had coloured uplighters placed at the base of their trunks, ready to throw purple and green lights up into the branches as evening fell. The restaurant had fairy lights hung around its takeaway serving hatch that was acting as the bar for the evening. Tables had been dragged out of the restaurant and covered with white cloths ready for the buffet-style food and crockery to be placed on them. Alain had arranged a couple of speakers around the entertainment area and set up a sound system using the electricity from the restaurant.

It was late afternoon when Jane and Brett arrived, later than expected because of roadwork delays. Belinda took them down to their cabin to settle in, apologised for not being able to stay and chat, but she had to go and change for the party. ‘Just follow the music when you’re ready and you’ll find the party. I’ll see you in a bit.’

Back at the cottage, Alain was already dressed for the party and about to leave.

‘You’re looking… good,’ Belinda said. She’d been about to say hot but couldn’t be sure how Alain would react to her saying that. Maybe later when she’d talked to him and asked him a certain question, maybe then she’d tell him how good he looked tonight. Or maybe not.

‘Merci. The bathroom’s all yours. I go collect my parents,’ and he was gone.

Belinda decided a shower would have to do – as much as she longed to soak in a perfumed bath, there wasn’t time. Half an hour later, she was showered, hair and make-up done. She took a favourite dress off its hanger, slipped her arms into it and did up the buttons that ran down the front from the sweetheart neckline to the hem. A rich blue in colour and ethnic in style with raised embroidery, she knew the slightly fitted waist and flared skirt suited her.

There was already quite a crowd of people as she walked through the campsite down to the entertainment area. Fern was fussing around the food tables and Anouk was sat holding court with some friends from the village.