She crossed the road and sat on the sea wall, looking back at her own front door.

Carol pulled up in front of her. She was in the driver’s seat of the restaurant’s temporary van, windows down, sunglasses on, looking like a 1950s movie star.

‘Taking the sun, my darling?’

‘Waiting for my granddaughter.’

‘You found her?’

‘Not exactly, but she’s coming to breakfast.’

‘Hola! There’s a start, anyhoo. See you later, darling. Off to get the seven loaves and two fishes.’

‘We’ll need more than that.’

‘I know, sweetie – joke!’

Carol revved the engine and sped off up the hill.

Theresa looked up the road. No one was on the pavement; she could see no heads bobbing up and down behind the protective wall up the hill either. She turned the other way. A gush of people emptied out of the railway station. Theresa hadn’t thought of that. Perhaps Chloe would arrive by train. There were stations all along the French coast into Italy. Wherever Mr Muffett was, Chloe could easily get here by rail.

She scanned the crowd as it thinned out and dispersed.

No Chloe.

‘Theresa?’ Marcel had crossed the road from his terrace. ‘I was wondering if I could have a private word? Maybe I could come to your place later this morning.’

‘I’m a bit preoccupied at the moment, Marcel. I’m waiting for my granddaughter.’

He laughed and pointed back at his terrace.

‘Is that her over there?’

Theresa glanced at the tables of people taking petit déjeuner in the morning sun. Sitting alone near the door to the inside of the brasserie was Chloe, cradling a large coffee in both hands, blending in with the crowd. She seemed a little scrumpled, but that was teenagers for you.

Theresa leaped to her feet.

‘God. I need my eyes testing. I was looking everywhere but . . .’

‘The meeting?’

Theresa couldn’t think of that now. ‘Whatever you like, Marcel. Just ring the bell. You’re very sweet to offer.’

She ran over the road and stood before Chloe.

‘Thank God you came, Grandma. It was only after I’d ordered the coffee that I realised I only have English money.’

‘That’s all right.’ Theresa dug into her pocket and pulled out some coins. ‘Shall I join you here, or do you want to come over to mine?’

‘Can we go to yours, please.’

‘Whatever you like.’ Theresa felt strange being so subservient to a child, but realised it was necessary to keep her on side. ‘Take your time.’

‘That’s all right. It’s gone cold now, anyhow.’

Theresa was painfully aware that she must weigh every word she said. Whatever happened she must not scare Chloe off, and at the same time try to reason her around to going home.

‘How long have you been sitting here?’

‘Oh, ages.’

‘You should have knocked at my door. I was up.’