‘Just a small slice. I’m not that hungry,’ Belinda said.
Alain looked at her. ‘Where do you want to eat, out ’ere or in the kitchen?’
‘Here please. I’ll come and get plates and glasses,’ Belinda said.
Five minutes later, Alain placed the pizza on the table and pushed it towards her. ‘Eat.’
Belinda picked up the smallest slice she could see and dutifully started to eat. Three mouthfuls in and she realised she was in fact starving and she devoured two more slices while Alain watched her in amusement.
‘Nigel phoned,’ Belinda said between mouthfuls. ‘Did he tell you he’s sold the other two hotels and probably this place?’
Alain nodded.
‘Apparently the new owners will keep me on in Riverside until the end of the year, if I want to stay. What about here? Are you going to stay and work for the new owners if this place sells?’
‘Definitely.’
Belinda looked at him. ‘Aren’t you worried about them? Don’t expect them to be as easy-going as Nigel has been over everything here,’ Belinda said darkly. ‘And what about Bernie. You’ll have to warn him. Where will he end up if he has to move?’
‘I make sure Bernie will be okay and the village will rally around to ’elp. Don’t worry. Everything will work out,’ Alain said. ‘More pizza?’
Belinda stared at him, puzzled. How could he be so laid-back about this latest turn of events? What if the new owners insisted on major changes like, heaven forbid, Alain’s dreaded pods being installed. No, she figured, Alain hadn’t yet thought it through properly. It was nothing to do with her, she didn’t even live here, but she felt sick at the thought of the possible changes that the new owners would want to make to the campsite. There were sure to be unforeseen effects spreading out like ripples on the river.
37
The next morning, Belinda phoned Chloe and told her about the hotels being sold as well as, probably, the campsite. ‘If I don’t agree to stay on until the end of the year, my job and home will disappear in a few weeks.’
‘Oh, Mum. What are you going to do?’
‘Right this moment, I have no idea.’ Belinda sighed wearily. ‘I hadn’t planned on changing my job or losing my home this year.’
‘If you decide not to stay with the new owners you can come and live here until we move or you could find a new place.’ The hesitation was clear in Chloe’s voice as she added, ‘It would mean you’d be free to come to the Vendée with us without worrying.’
‘I might need to take you up on the offer of moving in with you for a few weeks, so thanks for that,’ Belinda said. ‘But as far as the Vendée is concerned, I’m still not sure about moving there permanently, although I might come for a couple of weeks and help you settle in.’ Belinda paused. ‘Chloe? You are still coming to stay with the twins at the campsite, aren’t you?’
‘Of course. Looking forward to it. Why, is there a problem?’
‘No, not a problem for you as such. It’s just that something important has happened recently here in Brittany.’
‘You’re not ill, are you?’ Chloe said.
‘No, I’m not ill. It’s just something I need to talk to you about when I see you.’
‘Can’t you tell me now?’
Belinda hesitated. ‘I’d rather wait and tell you face to face. Explain things properly.’
‘Okay, if you’re sure,’ Chloe said. ‘I’ll try not to worry about what it is.’
Belinda immediately began feeling guilty for worrying Chloe. ‘It’s absolutely nothing for you to worry about. It’s… it’s just some family history that has surfaced.’
Finishing the call with Chloe, Belinda phoned Jane. As usual, Jane was bright and breezy when she answered the phone.
‘Hi. How you doing over there with the Serge Gainsbourg lookalike? Can’t wait to meet him.’
‘You need to visit fairly soon if that’s going to happen,’ Belinda said flatly, and gave her the news about Nigel selling up and retiring. Jane was suitably horrified for her friend when Belinda gave her the details.
‘What are you going to do?’
‘The answer to that question is floating in the air somewhere and I have yet to catch it,’ Belinda said. ‘I’ve got a few weeks to sort something out. Anyway, right now I’d better go and do some work. Ring me when you’ve worked some dates out.’
Working around the campsite for the rest of the day, Belinda struggled to concentrate on the various jobs she’d earmarked to do. By the