around. Too early for the owls to be calling, but Belinda knew she’d hear them later on. It was a sound she loved and one she’d miss when she left.
Alain was sitting out on the terrace reading when she got back to the cottage. ‘Chloe settled in all right?’
Belinda nodded. ‘Twins are fast asleep too.’ She sank down on the chair next to him. ‘You done your last patrol?’
Alain nodded. ‘Oui. You like a nightcap?’
‘One of your hot chocolates? Mmm, please. That would be lovely.’
Alain disappeared to the kitchen and Belinda closed her eyes. It seemed only seconds before he was back with two mugs of hot chocolate, one of which he handed Belinda.
‘Thank you. And thank you for clearing up after supper.’ Belinda smiled at him before taking an appreciative sip of her drink. ‘Any idea what the forecast is for the next few days?’
‘Cloudy with sunshine.’
‘I’ve promised I’ll give Chloe a short guided tour of where I grew up while she’s here.’
‘It is a good thing for you to do?’ Alain asked. ‘It won’t upset you?’
‘No, I don’t think it will,’ Belinda said thoughtfully. ‘Having the twins with us will ensure that the memories don’t get out of hand.’
42
The next morning when Belinda collected a bag of croissants from the shop and walked down to the cabin, the twins were already outside playing ball with Bernie, while Chloe watched. Belinda called out her usual Breton greeting to Bernie and he waved at her.
‘I tried my schoolgirl French out, but I’m not sure he totally understood me,’ Chloe said. ‘He seems a lovely man.’
‘He is, but he only speaks Breton, although I know he does understand some basic French.’
Five minutes later, coffee had been made and the croissants distributed, with a happy Bernie accepting one and sitting down at his own table in the next garden, where the twins and BB promptly joined him.
‘Anything special you want to do today?’ Belinda asked.
Chloe shook her head. ‘I think a quiet day here ambling around. Maybe a picnic lunch down by the river on that bit of sandy beach? I’ve brought several of their favourite toys, so the twins will be happy playing here in the cabin’s garden. I’ll go for a walk with them later, find those tree swings again. I just want to relax really while I’m here. Do nothing for a few days.’
‘Are you sure? I had lots of places lined up for a visit,’ Belinda said.
‘Quite sure. It’s lovely here and, to be honest, the thought of dragging the twins around to see the sights…’ Chloe gave a mock shudder.
‘I suppose they are a bit young to do the touristy thing. But we must have one day out at least,’ Belinda said. ‘If only to go to one of the local markets.’
‘Yes, I’d like that. Otherwise I’d rather spend some time here all together, although I would like to see where you grew up and visit the hospice, but right now I’m happy just to relax here with you.’
And so, for the next few days, they stayed on the campsite playing with the twins and having some mother and daughter bonding time. Thoughts of her father were never far away from Belinda’s mind and she wondered about visiting again, taking Chloe with her. She rang the hospice every day when the nurse merely told her there was no real change and yes, his wife was there often. When the twins had their afternoon naps, Belinda caught up with office work. Alain joined them for meals and both he and Bernie played ball with them. Fern and Anouk came for lunch one day. On the fourth day, the hospice rang.
Belinda took the call when they were down by the river with a picnic tea. As soon as she realised who was calling, she wandered a little away upriver for some privacy, in case it was bad news. After the call ended, Belinda walked slowly back to the others.
Chloe looked at her anxiously. ‘Granddad?’
Belinda nodded. ‘The nurse rang to say if you hoped to see him while he’s well enough to receive visitors we should try and visit within the next twenty-four hours. I said we’d go tomorrow morning.’ She tried to not let Chloe see how emotional she felt at the thought of what would probably be the last visit.
Alain, when she told him about the phone call later, immediately said he’d take them. ‘The twins also. I look after them.’
‘I was going to ask Fern if she