Page 70 of A French Affair
Ending the call, he put the phone in his own pocket and pulled Belinda’s shaking body against him in a tight embrace, and let her cry her heart out.
* * *
Later that evening, Belinda and Alain were sitting in the cottage garden after supper, although Belinda had played with most of her food rather than eating it. Whatever she’d expected to feel when the end came for her dad, it hadn’t been this huge sense of loss that made her feel even guiltier for all the wasted years.
When Belinda’s mobile rang, she looked at Alain in surprise.
‘My phone sounds as though it’s ringing from your pocket. I expect that is Chloe saying she’s home.’
Alain smiled. ‘I forgot I still had it,’ and he handed it to her. But it was Anouk, not Chloe.
‘Belinda, ma cherie. Sad news today, I’m so sorry.’
‘Thank you.’
‘I have to tell you what I have just heard from a relative of Enzo’s.’
Belinda stilled and waited.
‘There will be no religious ceremony, just a private burial at the cemetery the day after tomorrow, but she, Helena, is not telling anyone what time. Says she doesn’t want anyone there. I ’ave to tell you, this is not normal in France. We like to say a final farewell to our loved ones.’
‘Thank you for telling me,’ Belinda said, switching off the phone and turning to Alain. ‘Dad is being buried privately the day after tomorrow apparently, but Helena doesn’t want anyone there. No service. No nothing.’ Belinda rubbed her eyes. The news had upset her, but she was all cried out. ‘Isn’t that quick for a funeral?’
Alain shook his head. ‘Not here in France. By law, they ’ave to ’appen within six days of a death.’ He looked at her. ‘Would you ’ave gone?’
‘I’m not sure. I wouldn’t have wanted my presence to cause a scene or gossip, so probably not. I would like to pay my last respects though. Will you take me to the cemetery someday?’
‘Yes,’ Alain replied. ‘Whenever you’re ready and want to go, I take you.’
47
For the next few days, Belinda lost herself in work. With the official opening day getting closer, there was a lot of promotional work to do. Belinda updated the website booking form, wrote a press release and sent it out to as many journalists as she could find, both in England and in France. The local paper contacted her when they received theirs and said they’d send a photographer on the day. She created a Facebook page, a Twitter account and an Instagram profile where she uploaded photo after photo of Camping dans Le Fôret.
In addition to all this, she was working with Alain with the preparations for the party he wanted to throw before the official opening when he planned on telling everyone he was the new owner.
Fern was going to open the café a day or two before the official opening. ‘Need to iron out any possible snags without being pressured by a long queue getting impatient,’ she explained to Belinda. ‘And as I’m in charge of the food for the party, it will give me a chance to use the kitchen and also put the staff to work.’
* * *
The evening before the party when Alain was out with Bernie putting a slide up in the children’s park area, Belinda phoned Jane.
‘You are still coming tomorrow? I forgot to tell you earlier to bring some party togs with you. We’re having a “before we are open” party tomorrow night.’
‘I’ll throw something floaty and revealing into the case,’ Jane said. ‘Something to catch the eye of the sexy-looking Serge Gainsbourg type you work with.’
‘Behave yourself. Jeans and a sparkly top will be fine,’ Belinda said, laughing. ‘It’s a campsite.’
‘Have you decided what you’re going to do after you leave Milton Hotels?’ Jane asked.
Belinda hesitated. She had yet to tell Jane about everything else that had happened recently. ‘A lot has happened over here and I haven’t had time to give it much thought,’ which wasn’t strictly true, but her time and thoughts had been swallowed up by her dad, the hospice and Chloe’s visit.
‘Ooh, sounds intriguing,’ Jane said. ‘Tell me more.’
‘Too much to tell for now. We’ll have a good catch-up when you’re here,’ Belinda promised. ‘I’ll tell you everything then.’
Thoughtfully, Belinda put her phone down. She had made a decision, but she wasn’t going to share it with anyone until she knew for certain it was the right one. And she wouldn’t have the answer to that until the night of the party.
* * *
