Lise came back with her sarong knotted and damp. She brought the crate of Cabécou, the peaches and a large jug of icy water. She asked Franck if there had been many people in town that morning, completely oblivious to what had just happened with the dog and the rest of the wildlife. From Franck’s evasive response, she instinctively knew he had been talking to Liem and Travis again.

‘How’re you getting on?’

‘With what?’

‘With Liem and Travis.’

The question completely dumbfounded Franck. It seemed wrong to start worrying about that kind of thing here and now. Returning to the house, coming back to this landscape had been like freeing himself from his life, his problems and the idea that he even had a life somewhere else, or a job, partners and plans. Living here was like entering some kind of carefree time warp, thanks to the sea of green hills that surrounded them and the cicadas everywhere. It called for total disconnection. On this land, at least, nothing could touch him: he couldn’t be contacted by phone, email, tweet or anything else. He was out of reach.

‘You know, Franck, I understand if you don’t want to talk about it.’

‘I don’t have anything to hide, Lise. My mind is just on other things.’

‘What are you planning to do with them?’

It was a light-hearted question. She thought he was strong and still in control of everything, still the solid producer who would somehow always get what he wanted. Franck didn’t want to reveal his doubts. He didn’t want to tell her that he no longer knew how to handle them, or that he was being manipulated by two kids who were forcing him into negotiations and would eventually take over. More importantly, they had made that horrible jibe for which he truly hated them. For that, they had become enemies.

‘I don’t know, Lise. Not yet. They’re asking for too much. But I won’t let them push me around.’

‘Oh, has it got that bad?’

‘We’ll eventually find a middle ground, but it won’t be easy.’

Lise was surprised to see her husband so defeated; she wasn’t used to seeing him like this. She collected the empty salad bowl, cheese and peaches on a tray, since the wasps were buzzing around them. Though it was really the ham they wanted – the open package of meat was driving them crazy.

‘No, leave the ham; I’m going to give him some more. He’ll finish it.’

‘All right. I’ll make iced coffee, but let’s have it inside. It’s too hot out here.’

‘If you like, Lise.’