Saturday morning of the Easter weekend Fern drove to Huelgoat and collected Anouk as promised. The sun was shining, the cherry trees in the main square were in blossom as she drove through and people were strolling by the lake. It was a beautiful day that filled Fern with hope for the future. Everything would come right.

Anouk was ready and waiting for her and while Fern collected her suitcase from the bedroom and locked the front door, she walked with the aid of her stick and settled herself in the car.

‘It’s a long time since I had a weekend away,’ she said as Fern started the engine. ‘I’m really looking forward to it.’

‘Shall we stop for a coffee on the way, or even lunch?’ Fern said.

‘Knowing you, my dear, I’m sure you ’ave prepared something – and your coffee is better than most cafés. We go and sit on your terrace,’ Anouk said. ‘Tomorrow, maybe after church, we go out.’

Fern, as usual, took a scenic route home, taking her time so that Anouk could enjoy the scenery. Ten minutes before they reached the auberge, Fern said, ‘I’ve some guests tonight – just a couple, bed and breakfast, no evening meal, so I doubt we’ll see much of them. The room I’ve given you for the weekend is on the ground floor and opens onto a small private terrace. If you’d prefer one upstairs, you can choose another one. After the guests leave, you can have a look around and choose which room you’d like. If you decide to come permanently, of course.’

Anouk nodded and smiled but didn’t say anything.

Fern parked the car in its usual place to the side of the house and helped Anouk out. ‘Come and sit on the terrace while I make the coffee and get your suitcase out of the car. I’ll show you your room later. Look out for Lady – she has a dreadful habit of weaving in and out of legs. We don’t need her knocking you over.’

Anouk waved her free hand in the air. ‘Now don’t fuss, Fern. That, I think, will be our number one rule. I’ve got my stick.’

‘Sorry, I promise no fussing.’

Fern pressed the button on the coffee machine and went back outside to collect Anouk’s suitcase. As she was reaching in for it, she heard rather than saw a car drive in and park. Damn. She knew her guests had gone out for the day and she really didn’t want any more guests for this weekend. The next few days were to be all about Anouk and her. She lifted the suitcase out, slammed the car door and turned to see who it was.

The man getting out of the 4 x 4 looked vaguely familiar and Fern struggled to remember where she knew him from him.