Belinda held up her hand and cut him off in mid-sentence, anticipating what he was about to say. ‘I’ll certainly be here long enough for you to give me the answers to the questions I’ve asked you and a decision to be taken about the vide-grenier,’ she said, her voice cool and her face emotionless as she stared at him. As attractive as Hervé Bois might be, she had no intention of having anything but a business relationship with him. She could count on the fingers of one hand the number of men she’d dated since her divorce and she wasn’t about to add to them with Hervé. A relationship was the last thing she needed.

He returned her stare before giving a slight nod. ‘Okay. I’ll see you later in the week with the answers you need. Merci. Au revoir.’

‘If you let us know when you’re coming, I’ll make sure Alain is here too,’ Belinda said as he opened the door. ‘Au revoir,’ she added, but the door had already closed behind him.

Hearing voices and car doors slamming as the workers left for lunch, Belinda realised the time.

Alain still hadn’t shown up when Belinda locked up that evening and returned to the auberge. Fern made her a cup of tea and pushed a plate of shortbread biscuits towards her.

‘What’s up?’

‘Alain’s not returned and I don’t know what to do about it,’ Belinda said. ‘I can’t even phone him as he’s never given me his mobile number.’ She made a mental note to insist when he got back that he gave it to her. ‘I can’t phone Nigel to ask if he’s been in touch, as I suspect Nigel doesn’t know he’s taking time off for personal reasons.’

‘Maybe the weather has delayed the ferry? And don’t forget, there’s still the “gilets jaunes” blocking roads and holding things up without warning. I’m sure he’ll turn up for work tomorrow.’

‘Hope you’re right.’ Belinda swallowed a bite of her biscuit. ‘I met someone called Hervé Bois this morning. Wants to organise a vide-grenier on the campsite. Do you know him?’

‘He was a friend of Laurent’s.’ Fern looked at Belinda. ‘I’ve met him a few times. Divorced. Two grown-up daughters. Successful businessman. He’s good company.’

‘I’m sure he is,’ Belinda admitted.

‘He does have a bit of a reputation as a ladies’ man so not a long-term prospect but could be fun while you’re over here,’ Fern said thoughtfully.