Belinda laughed. ‘No. Once this place is up and running, I shall happily return to my normal job in the UK.’
Hervé looked disappointed for a second. ‘Mais, you are here for a few weeks yet? Peut-être you and I—’
Belinda held up her hand and cut him off in mid-sentence, anticipating what he was about to say. ‘I’ll certainly be here long enough for you to give me the answers to the questions I’ve asked you and a decision to be taken about the vide-grenier,’ she said, her voice cool and her face emotionless as she stared at him. As attractive as Hervé Bois might be, she had no intention of having anything but a business relationship with him. She could count on the fingers of one hand the number of men she’d dated since her divorce and she wasn’t about to add to them with Hervé. A relationship was the last thing she needed.
He returned her stare before giving a slight nod. ‘Okay. I’ll see you later in the week with the answers you need. Merci. Au revoir.’
‘If you let us know when you’re coming, I’ll make sure Alain is here too,’ Belinda said as he opened the door. ‘Au revoir,’ she added, but the door had already closed behind him.
Hearing voices and car doors slamming as the workers left for lunch, Belinda realised the time.
Alain still hadn’t shown up when Belinda locked up that evening and returned to the auberge. Fern made her a cup of tea and pushed a plate of shortbread biscuits towards her.
‘What’s up?’
‘Alain’s not returned and I don’t know what to do about it,’ Belinda said. ‘I can’t even phone him as he’s never given me his mobile number.’ She made a mental note to insist when he got back that he gave it to her. ‘I can’t phone Nigel to ask if he’s been in touch, as I suspect Nigel doesn’t know he’s taking time off for personal reasons.’
‘Maybe the weather has delayed the ferry? And don’t forget, there’s still the “gilets jaunes” blocking roads and holding things up without warning. I’m sure he’ll turn up for work tomorrow.’
‘Hope you’re right.’ Belinda swallowed a bite of her biscuit. ‘I met someone called Hervé Bois this morning. Wants to organise a vide-grenier on the campsite. Do you know him?’
‘He was a friend of Laurent’s.’ Fern looked at Belinda. ‘I’ve met him a few times. Divorced. Two grown-up daughters. Successful businessman. He’s good company.’
‘I’m sure he is,’ Belinda admitted.
‘He does have a bit of a reputation as a ladies’ man so not a long-term prospect but could be fun while you’re over here,’ Fern said thoughtfully.
Belinda shook her head. ‘Nope. Not interested even in a short-term relationship. I’m sure he was going to ask me out, but I managed to stop him before he could voice the words. I’m hoping he got the message.’ Talking to Hervé Bois about the vide-grenier was definitely something that she planned on leaving to Alain. Presuming he intended on returning.
13
Alain was already in the office when Belinda arrived the next morning. BB greeted him enthusiastically, Belinda less so.
‘Twenty-four hours late, but you’re back,’ she said, stating the obvious. ‘Your weekend in the UK go okay?’ If she thought Alain was going to explain and apologise for his absence, she was wrong.
‘Yes thanks,’ Alain said and carried on reading his emails.
Belinda busied herself spooning coffee into the cafetière and making the coffee. Alain took the mug she handed him a minute or two later.
‘Thanks. No croissant?’
‘Didn’t bother to buy any. The ducks enjoyed yours yesterday,’ Belinda said, sipping her coffee. ‘Incidentally, we should exchange mobile numbers in case of emergency.’
‘No problems ’ere while I was away?’
‘None that didn’t exist before. The cleaning and clearing has virtually finished, you need to organise people to paint the shower block and the toilets. The cleaners are making a start on the cabins. Oh, and your friend Hervé called in to ask about holding a vide-grenier. He’s coming back with full details. Also, there’s a campsite between Brest and Roscoff that we need to visit together. Apparently they have a couple of pods. We can see how they fit in and ask their advice on which to go for before we order any for here.’
Alain pulled a face. ‘You know ’ow I feel about that. I don’t want to get involved with them. You go.’
Belinda looked at him exacerbated. ‘You have to be involved. You’re going to be the one managing them