Page 20 of A French Affair
‘Need to give you the heads-up about a change of plan,’ Nigel said. ‘Reckon you can finish getting things ready for Easter over there in the next few days and come back here a week early?’
‘Honestly? There’s still so much to organise – staff to find, the café to organise, the cabins to refurnish, the small shop has to be stocked. And I haven’t sourced any pods yet. Why?’
‘I might need you to stay back here for a bit after Easter. Maybe indefinitely. Alain’s going to have to cope on his own. Molly’s not well.’ Nigel’s voice was gruff. ‘Got to have an operation before Easter and then several weeks convalescence.’
Belinda took a deep breath. ‘Oh, poor Molly. Okay. I’ll work on getting the site ticking over for camper vans and tents but put everything else on hold until later in the season. I doubt there will be much business around before June anyway. Give my love to Molly.’
Belinda made her way back to the office, deep in thought and worrying about Molly. Whatever was wrong with her Belinda prayed it was nothing too serious. A flash of disappointment that she was having to leave early surprised her. She’d got so used to living in Brittany and working at the campsite that it would be an unexpected wrench leaving. Alain was nowhere to be seen and she guessed that he was out on the site checking on the workers. She sat down at the desk, opened her laptop and started to make notes about the jobs that had suddenly become urgent. Finding staff was definitely top of the list. Half an hour later, when Alain appeared, she had a plan of action in place.
‘Our day of sourcing pods is off, I’m afraid. Nigel phoned earlier,’ she said, looking up at him. ‘Molly is ill and he wants me back early. Might even want me to stay on indefinitely.’ She pressed a key on the laptop and the office printer sprang into life. ‘I’ve worked out the essentials that need to be in place here before I leave in five days’ time.’ She got up and crossed over to the printer and picked up a sheet of paper and handed it to Alain. ‘Emergency action plan. I was going to move into the cottage tomorrow, but I think I’ll stay on at the auberge now. You’ll have to move in once the site opens and I’m away. At least the bed’s made.’
Alain looked up from the paper. ‘I can see why Nigel calls you his wonder woman. You’re good.’
Belinda shrugged. ‘It’s my job. I’ve buzzed the cleaners, asking them to call in here before they leave. I’m hoping that one or two of them will want some part-time work other than cleaning. We need a receptionist, a general help and a groundsperson/handyman – all to start before Easter. We’ll need more people once the season gets underway, but that should get you over the Easter hump. Any of the men looking for a seasonal position as groundsman?’
‘I do it with Bernie,’ Alain said.
‘You’ve spoken to him about staying on site and helping out?’
‘Not yet, but I will.’
‘I’m going to call in on the village shop tonight on my way to the auberge. Talk to them about stocking the shop with the basics and maybe even running it. It’s doubtful that the café will be organised and in a fit state to open for Easter, so it can just stay closed,’ Belinda continued. ‘We won’t make any announcement about the campsite being open, we’ll just settle for any passing trade. You’ll have to make sure, though, you explain about the lack of facilities to any hopeful campers. Camper vans and caravans are usually self-sufficient for cooking, any visitors in tents who pitch up without a camping stove will have to go to Yann’s to eat.’
‘Stop worrying, pas un problem,’ Alain said.
Belinda hoped he was right. Hopefully she’d covered everything but in truth there was still so much to do she wasn’t sure they’d be ready by summer let alone Easter.
* * *
Later that day, Belinda told Fern about her change of plans and checked it was all right for her to stay at the auberge until she returned to Devon.
‘You don’t need my room for a booking?’ she asked. ‘It will make my life easier not having to cater for myself on top of everything else I have to do before I leave.’
‘No bookings until Easter, then it’s only one double for three nights. Although I did have a phone call this afternoon from Carhaix tourist office, asking if I had a vacancy for the next few days. But I haven’t heard anything more, so I guess they’ve found somewhere.’ Fern looked at Belinda anxiously. ‘Does this mean you won’t be coming back?’
‘No idea really what’s going to happen,’ Belinda said, surprised at the feeling of sadness that swept through her at the thought of not returning to Brittany and cementing her friendship with Fern.
14
Thursday morning when Belinda left for the campsite Fern decided to visit her mother-in-law, Anouk. Laurent’s father had died some twenty years before and Anouk had lived alone ever since in the Huelgoat house she’d moved into the day of her marriage. Fern had always got on well with Anouk and Laurent’s death had served to bring them closer.
Overlooking the lake at Huelgoat, the house was too big for her now, but Anouk seemed determined to stay in it, saying she couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. Fern knew that Fabian felt the time was coming when his grandmother would have to accept that the upkeep of the place was beyond her and move into something smaller, more manageable. Ninety next birthday, Anouk might manage a 1K walk every day, but the huge garden was becoming a burden despite Fabian doing the heavy digging and the mowing. Fern understood all too well though how the tug of happy memories kept you connected to the home you’d shared with a loved one.
Before she left home, Fern telephoned Anouk to say that she was planning to visit.
‘I thought as it’s market day we could do a bit of shopping and then have a coffee in the main square.’
To Fern’s surprise, Anouk sounded subdued when she agreed.
‘Are you okay?’ Fern asked, concerned.
‘I’m as fine as I can be at my age,’ Anouk replied. ‘A walk around the market and some company sounds great.’
‘See you in about half an hour then.’ Fern switched off her phone pensively. It was unlike Anouk to mention her age. She hoped Fabian hadn’t been on at her again about moving.
* * *
After a stroll around the market, buying a few bits and pieces and stopping to chat with various stallholder friends, they made their way to the café next door to the small supermarché at the end of the square. Fern settled Anouk at one of the pavement tables, leaving her with Lady and the few bags of shopping, while she went in to choose the cakes to go with their coffee. When she returned, Fabian was chatting to his grandmother.
