Page 62 of A French Affair
It was mid-afternoon as Belinda was working on the computer in the office alongside Marie when she heard a car arrive and glanced up to see Chloe pulling into a parking slot. She rushed out to meet them and opened the passenger door.
‘Hi, darling, let me jump in and show you straight to your cabin. Hi, you two monsters,’ she said, looking at the twins strapped into their safety seats in the back.
‘Gangan,’ they shouted, both holding their arms out.
‘Two minutes,’ Belinda promised. ‘And then lots of cuddles.’
‘There aren’t enough beds in the house Alain and I share, so I hope you like the cabin,’ she said to Chloe as she pointed the way. ‘You’re a bit of a guinea pig really as I want a full report on how good it is to stay in.’
Belinda lifted the twins out of the car and held on to them as Chloe parked on the hardstanding that each cabin had down one side, before helping her carry the suitcases in.
‘How was the crossing?’ Belinda asked.
‘Good. I’m glad we did a daytime one, there were lots of activities for the kids on board. This all looks lovely, Mum,’ Chloe said. ‘I’ve been looking forward so much to this break. Wish Max could have come too, but…’ She shrugged.
‘Did Charlie and Aimee sleep in the car? If they’re not too tired, we can take them down to the river. It’s only a short walk. Make sure they sleep tonight.’
‘Don’t know about them, but I’m tired,’ Chloe said. ‘Think it might be an early night.’
The next couple of hours flew by as Belinda showed Chloe and the twins the river, introduced the three of them to Fern, walked back through the campsite slowly, giving the twins a go on the newly refurbished tree swings and buying them an ice cream from the shop. There was no sign of Alain anywhere, but Belinda guessed he’d be in the office and didn’t want to take the twins there in case they caused havoc. She’d introduce him to Chloe and the twins at supper.
When they got back to the house, Chloe and Belinda kept an eye on the twins while they organised supper. Charlie and Aimee had shrieked with delight on seeing BB again and played ball with him until the dog was panting and Chloe told them to stop. Now the twins were playing a game of their own making, involving stones and sticks in the small garden.
Alain came home just five minutes before the meal was ready and Belinda took him straight out to the terrace to meet Chloe and the twins. Once the introductions were over, Belinda excused herself and went to check on the chicken casserole she’d bought from Fern.
Five minutes later, Alain came back into the kitchen. ‘Something smells good,’ he said. ‘If there’s any left when I get back…’ He looked at Belinda hopefully.
‘Why aren’t you eating with us?’ Belinda said. It hadn’t occurred to her that Alain wouldn’t eat with them; they’d had a routine of eating together in the evening since she’d returned from the UK. ‘There’s more than enough chicken casserole. I didn’t make it, if that’s what bothers you. It’s one of Fern’s finest.’
‘I didn’t want to intrude on your first evening of family time,’ Alain answered.
‘Don’t be silly. If you really have to be somewhere else or if your parents are expecting you, then fine, but if not, you’re eating with us this evening. Who else is going to open the wine?’ And she handed him the corkscrew with a smile.
With Aimee sat between her and Alain and Charlie next to Chloe, Belinda had the strangest feeling looking around at everyone that they could easily be mistaken for being a unit – a family unit. Chloe and Alain were laughing at something and the twins were managing to eat their food without spreading it everywhere. After everyone had finished, Chloe stood up.
‘I think I’d better get these two in bed,’ she said.
Belinda stood up too. ‘I’ll walk down with you and help. I’ll clear this away later.’
‘Non non.’ Alain was already on his feet. ‘You go. I do this.’
‘Thanks. See you in a bit then,’ Belinda said, taking hold of a twin in each hand.
Bernie was outside gardening when they got back to their cabin and Belinda smiled and waved at him.
Once the twins had cleaned their teeth and had a quick wash, they tumbled into bed. ‘Story, Gangan.’
Belinda picked up one of the storybooks she’d bought and read them a story each and they were asleep before she finished the second one. She gently kissed them goodnight and went to join Chloe.
Chloe had made herself at home, unpacking her suitcase and, opening the welcome pack she found in the kitchen, was now ready to settle down outside with a bottle of rosé and some nibbles.
‘This is going to be a little bit of paradise for the next few days,’ she said contentedly. ‘The site is lovely.’ She picked up the bottle of wine and poured them both a glass. ‘I know we had wine with supper, but hey, I’m on holiday. Dad sends his regards by the way.’ A remark that Belinda acknowledged with a wave of her wine glass. ‘I like your Alain,’ Chloe said, raising her eyebrows at Belinda. ‘He’s lovely. Is that what you wanted to talk to me about?’
‘No, and for the record, he’s not my Alain,’ Belinda answered.
‘Judging from the way he looks at you, I think he could be,’ Chloe said.
‘Don’t be daft. He’s just a very good friend.’ Belinda took a drink of her wine, wondering if that was the whole truth. He’d certainly got under her skin in a good way recently. ‘What I need to talk to you about is granny and granddad. Anouk, Fern’s ma-in-law, has lived here all her life and was able to tell me the truth about their break-up all those years ago.’
