she’ll find it hard living in someone else’s home, even yours, I suspect. Is there a need for her to move in with you?’ Scott asked.
‘It’s complicated,’ and Fern gave him a quick run-down as to why the idea was under consideration. ‘And, if I’m honest, I know I would benefit from having Anouk in the house too. It would make me feel needed again.’
‘How old is Anouk?’
‘It’s her ninetieth birthday this year,’ Fern said. ‘Do you mind holding Lady for a minute or two while I go into the village shop?’
‘Sure thing,’ and Scott held out his hand for the lead.
In the shop, Fern collected the Easter egg she’d ordered for Anouk and hesitated over buying one for Scott before selecting one for him too. Carrying the bag, she rejoined Scott and took back Lady.
‘Thank you.’
‘D’you want to start walking home and I’ll catch up with you?’ Scott asked. ‘I’ve just realised I need a new tube of toothpaste.’
‘Okay,’ and Fern smiled at him as he turned away to go into the shop.
To her surprise, she was home and indoors and he still hadn’t appeared. The shop hadn’t been that busy. There was no sign of Anouk either. She was about to go and check on her when she heard Scott return and go straight to his room – presumably to put his toothpaste in the bathroom. Minutes later, he walked into the kitchen carrying a bottle of champagne.
‘My contribution to Easter Sunday,’ he said, holding it out.
‘Oh goodness, thank you, my favourite brand,’ Fern said, looking at the orange label. ‘I’ll put it in the fridge now.’
‘If I may, I’m going to spend the afternoon sitting in your wonderful garden and read,’ Scott said. ‘Unless I can do anything to help you?’
‘No thanks. You’ll find loungers and cushions in the small shed. See you later.’ If he’d been a proper guest, she’d have rushed to get them out, but somehow Scott didn’t feel like a paying guest even though he was.
To even think of him as a new friend was a dangerous thought though. She’d known him for far too short a time to treat him as anything but a paying guest. Besides, he’d be moving on soon. Returning to America.
22
Belinda was up early Easter Sunday morning checking everything in the hotel was ready for the busy day ahead. She’d booked a family table for lunch in the restaurant and was looking forward to a couple of hours with Chloe and the twins before spending the rest of the day on duty. Chloe’s husband, Max, manager of the local marina, was working and couldn’t join them, which was a shame. When they all arrived at 12.30, she took them upstairs to give them their Easter eggs and the small gifts she’d brought them from France.
‘No chocolate until after lunch,’ Chloe said, confiscating the eggs from Charlie and Aimee. ‘But you can each open your other present carefully.’
Watching them open the books, crayons and colouring posters Belinda had bought them, Chloe looked at Belinda. ‘You and Dad spoil them, Mum.’
‘That’s what grandparents do,’ Belinda replied. ‘How is your dad?’
‘Good, I think. Totally enamoured with Gina.’ Chloe glanced carefully at Belinda. ‘There’s talk of a summer wedding. He wants Charlie and Aimee to act as pageboy and bridesmaid.’
‘Aimee will adore that, not so sure about Charlie,’ Belinda said.
‘Do you mind?’
Belinda hesitated. She’d expected Peter to marry Gina before now and had steeled herself not to mind when it was announced. Hearing it was finally going to happen this year, she waited for the jolt of pain to make itself felt, but nothing. She was happy for them both, she realised, and didn’t mind in the slightest that Peter was remarrying, she’d moved on.
‘Do I mind that your dad is marrying again? No, I don’t and I wish them every happiness. Do I mind that I won’t be there to see the twins? Yes, that I do mind. I shall insist they dress up for me in all their finery after the event.’
Chloe gave her a hug. ‘I hope you meet someone new too, then the twins can do the same for you.’
‘The chances of that happening before they’re teenagers is unlikely.’ Belinda laughed. ‘Anyway, back to the pressies. There’s nothing big, just Easter eggs and things I managed to buy on the ferry. I didn’t have time to go shopping before I left.’ She picked up two bags she’d left on the table and held them behind her back. ‘I’ve