Page 63 of A French Affair
‘One or both of them had an affair has always been my guess,’ Chloe said, reaching for a handful of crisps.
‘It’s not quite as straightforward as that.’ Belinda took a deep breath. ‘They were never actually married. And the reason for that was because granddad already had a wife when he met my mum. A wife who had left him six years earlier.’
‘Why didn’t he just divorce her?’ Chloe, ever pragmatic, asked.
‘Because back in the day it wasn’t that easy and also no one had heard from her or knew where she was in all that time. So when she turned up, eighteen years after granny and grandad got together, it was a shock and caused a huge scandal. Helena told all and sundry that she was still Mrs Belrose and she had no intention of divorcing.’
‘Poor Granny. No wonder she was so bitter.’
‘It explains a lot,’ Belinda said. ‘I wish though she’d told me the truth years ago.’ She helped herself to a few crisps, glancing at Chloe as she did. ‘The other thing I have to tell you is that Granddad is here in Brittany and still alive. Very ill but alive.’
‘Seriously?’ Chloe gave a shocked gasp. ‘He’s here in Brittany? Are you going to see him?’
‘He’s been living in my old family home with his wife but a few days ago he was moved into a hospice where I’ve already been to see him. Nobody can say how long he has to live, could be a few days or a couple of weeks.’ To her own ears, the words sounded automatic, unemotional, when the truth was she felt like a limp rag from all the emotion of the past few days.
‘Can I see him? Meet him at least once?’ Chloe asked quietly.
‘I’ve shown him a photo of you and the twins and I’ve promised him, if the doctor allows it, I will take you to see him.’
‘Thanks.’
The two of them sat silently for several moments, both lost in their own thoughts, before Belinda spoke again.
‘I thought maybe one day while you’re here we could go for a drive around. You said once I’d never told you about where I grew up.’
‘Yes, I’d like that.’ Chloe stifled a yawn.
Belinda stood up. ‘I’ll leave you to go to bed. I guess the twins will wake early as usual?’
‘Oh yes. Six thirty, if I’m lucky,’ Chloe said.
‘I’ll walk down with breakfast croissants for you in the morning. Sleep well.’
‘Thanks, Mum. See you tomorrow then.’
Walking back through the campsite, Belinda passed a few people sitting outside their caravans enjoying the lengthening shadows and the bats that were flitting 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.’
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