To even think of him as a new friend was a dangerous thought though. She’d known him for far too short a time to treat him as anything but a paying guest. Besides, he’d be moving on soon. Returning to America.

22

Belinda was up early Easter Sunday morning checking everything in the hotel was ready for the busy day ahead. She’d booked a family table for lunch in the restaurant and was looking forward to a couple of hours with Chloe and the twins before spending the rest of the day on duty. Chloe’s husband, Max, manager of the local marina, was working and couldn’t join them, which was a shame. When they all arrived at 12.30, she took them upstairs to give them their Easter eggs and the small gifts she’d brought them from France.

‘No chocolate until after lunch,’ Chloe said, confiscating the eggs from Charlie and Aimee. ‘But you can each open your other present carefully.’

Watching them open the books, crayons and colouring posters Belinda had bought them, Chloe looked at Belinda. ‘You and Dad spoil them, Mum.’

‘That’s what grandparents do,’ Belinda replied. ‘How is your dad?’

‘Good, I think. Totally enamoured with Gina.’ Chloe glanced carefully at Belinda. ‘There’s talk of a summer wedding. He wants Charlie and Aimee to act as pageboy and bridesmaid.’

‘Aimee will adore that, not so sure about Charlie,’ Belinda said.

‘Do you mind?’

Belinda hesitated. She’d expected Peter to marry Gina before now and had steeled herself not to mind when it was announced. Hearing it was finally going to happen this year, she waited for the jolt of pain to make itself felt, but nothing. She was happy for them both, she realised, and didn’t mind in the slightest that Peter was remarrying, she’d moved on.

‘Do I mind that your dad is marrying again? No, I don’t and I wish them every happiness. Do I mind that I won’t be there to see the twins? Yes, that I do mind. I shall insist they dress up for me in all their finery after the event.’

Chloe gave her a hug. ‘I hope you meet someone new too, then the twins can do the same for you.’

‘The chances of that happening before they’re teenagers is unlikely.’ Belinda laughed. ‘Anyway, back to the pressies. There’s nothing big, just Easter eggs and things I managed to buy on the ferry. I didn’t have time to go shopping before I left.’ She picked up two bags she’d left on the table and held them behind her back. ‘I’ve got you and Max something too, but if you don’t want them?’

‘Oh, you know I do,’ Chloe said, accepting the bags Belinda held out. ‘Thank you.’