This part of the site felt a little bit spooky, with too many trees and overgrown bushes making it dark. Glimpsing two buildings further over, she discovered they were the shower block and toilets. The outsides of both were in need of a good power wash and a fresh coat of paint. The insides were also in definite need of a good clean. Belinda took several photographs before she continued to make her way back to the main reception area.

To her surprise, as she walked, ideas about updating and improving the site began to filter into her mind, and she spoke into her phone recorder, making notes. As she neared what she recognised as the back of the office chalet, she saw another building hidden amongst the trees. Walking over to it, she realised it was a house. A faded notice on the door said ‘Private. Interdit. Staff’.

When Belinda tried the door, she wasn’t surprised to find it was locked. To one side of the house was a large hangar with maintenance vehicles and other machinery in it, including a golf buggy, tractor, quad bike and chainsaws. Most of the equipment looked in need of a good clean and overhaul but hopefully would be usable.

Overcome by a sudden shiver of cold, Belinda realised the sky was clouding over and she was getting cold. Time to get in the car and put the heater on to warm up while she tried to put her notes in order and waited for Alain Salvin to return.

A quarter of an hour later, a noisy car exhaust alerted her to the fact that someone was coming. Alain Salvin. His 2CV might be a classic, but if he didn’t give it some loving care and attention soon, it would end up in the scrapyard. Belinda watched him get out of the car and waited for him to acknowledge her. Instead, he ignored her and began walking towards the office steps. What was his problem?

Furious, she wound her window down.

‘A moment, Mr Salvin.’

She registered the shrug of his shoulders and the deep sigh he made before he turned and stared at her. She returned his stare before speaking.

‘Breakfast meeting here tomorrow morning at 8 a.m. Make sure you have the keys to everything. Do not be late. Have a good evening.’ She threw a false smile at him before revving the engine and driving away.

7

An hour or so later, after a reviving shower and half an hour working on her laptop back at the auberge, Belinda decided there was time before dinner to make a couple of Skype calls, one to Chloe and one to Nigel.

She rang Chloe first because of the twins’ bedtime. Closing the connection afterwards, Belinda sighed. Although relieved to hear they were all well, she was missing them already and she’d only just arrived.