It was almost eight o’clock before the twins were settled and asleep and Chloe began placing dinner on the table. Max opened a bottle of Prosecco and carefully poured three glasses. A knot in Belinda’s stomach made its presence known. She had a feeling that she wasn’t going to like what she was about to learn.

‘Come on, you two. Put me out of my suspense. What are we celebrating?’ She forced herself to sound bright and cheerful as she looked at them.

‘I’ve been promoted at work,’ Max said. ‘The company have just taken on a new marina and have big expansion plans they want me to oversee.’

‘It’s in the Vendée,’ Chloe interrupted him. ‘We’re going to live in France, can you believe? And we want you to come with us.’

‘Congratulations, Max. You’ve worked so hard, you deserve the promotion.’ A stunned Belinda raised her glass to him, trying to ignore the knot in her stomach that was growing by the second. ‘I’m really pleased for you. Even I know how important that area of France is in the boating world.’

‘You will come with us, won’t you?’ Chloe asked. ‘It will be a new beginning for you and us, together. I can’t bear the thought of us living in different countries.’

‘Darling, I’m not sure I can,’ Belinda said. ‘It’s a wonderful opportunity for Max and it will be a great experience for you as a family.’ She took a deep breath. ‘I’ll think about it, I promise. I’ll be a very frequent visitor even if I don’t move over with you.’ Was moving to France with Chloe really an option for her? She couldn’t wish for a better son-in-law but would Max truly welcome his mother-in-law tagging along on his family’s big adventure? And, importantly, did she deep down want to go and live in the Vendée?

‘Mum,’ Chloe pleaded, her eyes glistening with tears. It was Max who interrupted her this time.

‘Darling, give your mum some space. It’s a lot to take in and your mum does have her own life. She’s promised to think about it.’

Belinda looked at Max gratefully. ‘Tell me more about your actual promotion.’