‘Our day of sourcing pods is off, I’m afraid. Nigel phoned earlier,’ she said, looking up at him. ‘Molly is ill and he wants me back early. Might even want me to stay on indefinitely.’ She pressed a key on the laptop and the office printer sprang into life. ‘I’ve worked out the essentials that need to be in place here before I leave in five days’ time.’ She got up and crossed over to the printer and picked up a sheet of paper and handed it to Alain. ‘Emergency action plan. I was going to move into the cottage tomorrow, but I think I’ll stay on at the auberge now. You’ll have to move in once the site opens and I’m away. At least the bed’s made.’

Alain looked up from the paper. ‘I can see why Nigel calls you his wonder woman. You’re good.’

Belinda shrugged. ‘It’s my job. I’ve buzzed the cleaners, asking them to call in here before they leave. I’m hoping that one or two of them will want some part-time work other than cleaning. We need a receptionist, a general help and a groundsperson/handyman – all to start before Easter. We’ll need more people once the season gets underway, but that should get you over the Easter hump. Any of the men looking for a seasonal position as groundsman?’

‘I do it with Bernie,’ Alain said.

‘You’ve spoken to him about staying on site and helping out?’

‘Not yet, but I will.’

‘I’m going to call in on the village shop tonight on my way to the auberge. Talk to them about stocking the shop with the basics and maybe even running it. It’s doubtful that the café will be organised and in a fit state to open for Easter, so it can just stay closed,’ Belinda continued. ‘We won’t make any announcement about the campsite being open, we’ll just settle for any passing trade. You’ll have to make sure, though, you explain about the lack of facilities to any hopeful campers. Camper vans and caravans are usually self-sufficient for cooking, any visitors in tents who pitch up without a camping stove will have to go to Yann’s to eat.’

‘Stop worrying, pas un problem,’ Alain said.

Belinda hoped he was right. Hopefully she’d covered everything but in truth there was still so much to do she wasn’t sure they’d be ready by summer let alone Easter.

Later that day, Belinda told Fern about her change of plans and checked it was all right for her to stay at the auberge until she returned to Devon.

‘You don’t need my room for a booking?’ she asked. ‘It will make my life easier not having to cater for myself on top of everything else I have to do before I leave.’