He shakes his head and I feel a little relieved. ‘I still have a few customers to see to. Have an aperitif.’ He puts down a small plate of thinly sliced toast with terrine spread on the top and a sliced cornichon to the side. ‘I will bring you your lunch in a moment.’

I look down at Ralph and do exactly as I’m told. I attempt to enjoy it. But I can’t stop thinking about the young lad who stole from my stall. It didn’t seem like a prank or a dare. There were no other youngsters around. Why was Cora so wound up? And who owns the thing he dropped? The questions scratch at my brain.

I finish the morsels of toast and my first glass of wine without really noticing. Henri arrives and breaks into my thoughts. ‘Boeuf bourguignon,’ he says, and puts down a round white bowl, with a basket of sliced bread. Soft flaking beef, orange carrots, a deep rich brown gravy and herbs that remind me of my walk into town, herbes de Provence. My mouth waters. Then he pours me another glass of wine and I feel quite light-headed, as if my worries are drifting away. I may not have made a fortune today, but enough to pay Fabien back a little of what I owe him on account. And, once again, I feel honoured that he’s put his trust in me. I have been welcomed far enough into the community to be running a tab. He trusts me enough to believe that I can get this business up and running. I have somewhere to live and plans for the future. That can’t be a bad place to be. The sun, the food and, of course, the second glass of wine have lifted my spirits. I wonder what my friends would say if they could see me now, having lunch on my own, planning the next phase of my life. I wonder what Mum would have said.