Belinda shook her head. ‘Nope. Not interested even in a short-term relationship. I’m sure he was going to ask me out, but I managed to stop him before he could voice the words. I’m hoping he got the message.’ Talking to Hervé Bois about the vide-grenier was definitely something that she planned on leaving to Alain. Presuming he intended on returning.

13

Alain was already in the office when Belinda arrived the next morning. BB greeted him enthusiastically, Belinda less so.

‘Twenty-four hours late, but you’re back,’ she said, stating the obvious. ‘Your weekend in the UK go okay?’ If she thought Alain was going to explain and apologise for his absence, she was wrong.

‘Yes thanks,’ Alain said and carried on reading his emails.

Belinda busied herself spooning coffee into the cafetière and making the coffee. Alain took the mug she handed him a minute or two later.

‘Thanks. No croissant?’

‘Didn’t bother to buy any. The ducks enjoyed yours yesterday,’ Belinda said, sipping her coffee. ‘Incidentally, we should exchange mobile numbers in case of emergency.’

‘No problems ’ere while I was away?’

‘None that didn’t exist before. The cleaning and clearing has virtually finished, you need to organise people to paint the shower block and the toilets. The cleaners are making a start on the cabins. Oh, and your friend Hervé called in to ask about holding a vide-grenier. He’s coming back with full details. Also, there’s a campsite between Brest and Roscoff that we need to visit together. Apparently they have a couple of pods. We can see how they fit in and ask their advice on which to go for before we order any for here.’

Alain pulled a face. ‘You know ’ow I feel about that. I don’t want to get involved with them. You go.’

Belinda looked at him exacerbated. ‘You have to be involved. You’re going to be the one managing them when the camp opens and I’m back in the UK.’

Alain shrugged. ‘I will worry about it when – if – we get any bookings for them.’

‘We’ll get bookings.’ Belinda stared at him and reached a decision. ‘Right. I’ll ask Nigel to book a night ferry, I’ll meet him at Roscoff, we’ll spend the day sorting Pods out and he can go back on the evening ferry.’

Before Alain could answer, the office door opened and a delivery man stood there, electronic signing device in his hand.

‘Three parcels for Marshall,’ he said, holding the device out. ‘Where do you want them?’

‘Manager’s cottage,’ Belinda said, scrawling a signature with her finger before following the man out. ‘I’ll show you.’