‘It’s going to be good having you here. I’m going to go and give Fabian and his friend a cup of tea and a slice of cake before they leave. Would you like one too?’

‘Please,’ Anouk answered. ‘I’ll come with you,’ and the two of them made their way to the kitchen together.

‘Where’s Scott today?’ Anouk asked.

‘Taken himself off to Roscoff for an hour or two of sea air. He didn’t want to get in the way. Promised he’d be back in time for your welcome dinner though,’ Fern said.

Fabian was placing a large flower arrangement on the kitchen table, alongside a box of chocolates and a bottle of champagne when they walked in.

‘Carole sent these for you both. She is so grateful to the two of you. As I am of course, Mami,’ and he gave Anouk a hug before turning to Fern and hugging her too. ‘I have to return the van this evening. If there is nothing else for me to carry, I will go.’

Anouk beckoned him to her, and gave him a long hug. ‘I hope you and Carole are as happy in the house as your grand-père and I were.’

Fabian returned the hug. ‘I ’ope so too. I already have the ’appy memories of the two of you living there.’

As Fabian left, Anouk looked at Fern. ‘He’s a good lad. More like Laurent than he realises sometimes.’

27

In Devon, Belinda was beginning to feel as though her life had been put on hold. Routine hotel work was not enough to keep her mind wandering back and forth over her problems. It was another three days before Nigel phoned and said Molly was much better and they would both love to see her. And she was to stay for lunch this time, Nigel insisted. At least she’d had time to think things through and make a sort of plan to put to them.

They both greeted Belinda warmly when she arrived and she sat chatting to Molly while Nigel made coffee.

‘Good to see you looking better, Molly,’ Belinda said. ‘You had me worried for a while.’

‘Happy to say I’m feeling a lot more like my old self,’ Molly answered. ‘How’s Chloe and the family? I expect the twins are growing.’

‘Yes they are,’ Belinda said. She opened her phone and showed Molly the photos she’d taken over Easter.

‘Oh, doesn’t Aimee take after you and your mum,’ Molly exclaimed. ‘So pretty. You are lucky to have little ones in your life.’

‘Would you like me to bring them to see you when you’re better?’ Belinda offered, knowing how much Molly loved children.

‘Would you?’