‘The thing is, these days most people have homes full of stuff: TVs, computers, dishwashers, power showers, fridges, hot tubs, everything on tap. The idea of coming away on holiday and roughing it—’ Belinda shrugged. ‘Well, that appeals to some people, but there is definitely a market for more comfortable holidays. For being at one with nature in comfort. It’ll still be a great family holiday destination when we’ve updated it – only better,’ Belinda said.

‘It’s going to cost tens of thousands of euros,’ Alain said. ‘Not to mention months of work. Much longer than the agreed agenda.’

‘Is that a problem for you?’

For no longer than a split second, a look of discomfort flitted across Alain’s face, gone so quickly that afterwards Belinda wondered if she’d imagined it.

Alain nodded. ‘Yes. We ’ave to open as quickly as possible. Said that’s why he was sending you over, to speed things up.’

‘Nigel is a businessman, he knows it takes time to recuperate an investment. I doubt that he’s expecting this place to turn any sort of profit for at least three to five years. With the amount of money we’re going to spend on new equipment and facilities, personally I’d say it’s probably going to be even longer.’

Alain muttered something under his breath that Belinda didn’t quite catch, before forcing a smile on his face. ‘You ’ave details in that folder of yours?’

‘Yes. Is your plan on the computer?’

Alain nodded.

‘Let’s print it out and then we can take both of them with us when we do a site inspection,’ Belinda said, relieved when Alain opened up the plan on the computer and pressed the print button without grumbling at her.

Before they started to walk the site, Belinda insisted Alain show her the house she’d seen yesterday. ‘Manager’s house? Is it habitable?’

Alain nodded. ‘Yes. Needs a damn good clean though.’ He pulled a bunch of keys out of his pocket and inserted one in the lock.

The house, a typical Breton conversion from an old farm building many years ago, was basic, but Belinda could see its potential. Downstairs, there was a kitchen and a large sitting room with a wood burner. A steep open wooden staircase led upstairs, where there were two double bedrooms, a single bedroom and a bathroom with a big old-fashioned bath and overhead shower. Get the house cleaned ready to live in, was the first thing that went on Belinda’s list.

‘We’ll get this place cleaned up ready for you to move in.’

Alain shook his head. ‘I ’ave no plans to move in until the season starts.’