‘I went to school with a Marie-France Kergoëts,’ Anouk said thoughtfully. ‘I think she died last year. Married someone from Josselyn. Moved back this way when she was widowed. Maybe she was a relative?’

‘That’s interesting,’ Scott answered. ‘I’ll have to do some research. As far as I know, my last relative living in the Gourin area died a few years ago.’

Fern, watching Scott talk so easily to Anouk, couldn’t help but be drawn to the man. He was just so open and honest. She’d tell him he could have a room, she decided, as soon as she could get a word in edgewise between Anouk and him. And then Anouk paved the way.

‘Where are you staying?’ she asked.

‘Ah, well, at the moment nowhere. But I’d heard about this rather good auberge run by a certain lady and I was hoping she might have a space?’ he answered, looking at Fern.

Before Fern could say anything, Anouk answered him.

‘Yes she does, don’t you, Fern?’ Anouk leaned conspiratorially towards Scott. ‘Fern’s not doing evening meals for the other guests, so you’ll ’ave to join us for supper in the kitchen.’

‘That sounds wonderful,’ he said quietly back, looking at Fern questioningly.

Before she could react, Anouk went to stand up, and Scott was instantly on his feet to help and handed her stick to her.

‘Thank you. Please excuse me for five minutes,’ and Anouk turned to walk slowly into the house.

It was Scott who broke the silence that fell between them. ‘Do you have a room I can rent like Anouk says? Or would you rather send me away?’

‘How did you find me? You’re not going to turn out to be a stalker, are you?’ Fern said.

Scott grinned at her. ‘No way. You’d told me your name and the direction you lived in. And in the last Tourist Office I found, when I mentioned your name, the lady behind the desk knew you. Bingo – here I am.’ He looked at Fern for several seconds before he added, ‘I promise I’m not a stalker. I simply liked you when we met and wanted to see you again. Maybe make amends after I upset you with my offer of dinner. I’ll understand if you’d rather I didn’t stay here, but I hope you’ll allow me to buy you dinner one evening. Anouk too, she reminds me of my grandmother. Feisty, utterly incorrigible and so French.’

In spite of herself, Fern laughed. ‘That’s one way of describing her. Scott, just so you know, you’re welcome to a room here.’

‘And supper in the kitchen with you two?’