Page 71 of A French Affair
The campsite was a hive of activity the next day, with bunting and lights being hung and draped around trees and buildings. The tall oak trees and the silver birches that lined some of the paths had coloured uplighters placed at the base of their trunks, ready to throw purple and green lights up into the branches as evening fell. The restaurant had fairy lights hung around its takeaway serving hatch that was acting as the bar for the evening. Tables had been dragged out of the restaurant and covered with white cloths ready for the buffet-style food and crockery to be placed on them. Alain had arranged a couple of speakers around the entertainment area and set up a sound system using the electricity from the restaurant.
It was late afternoon when Jane and Brett arrived, later than expected because of roadwork delays. Belinda took them down to their cabin to settle in, apologised for not being able to stay and chat, but she had to go and change for the party. ‘Just follow the music when you’re ready and you’ll find the party. I’ll see you in a bit.’
Back at the cottage, Alain was already dressed for the party and about to leave.
‘You’re looking… good,’ Belinda said. She’d been about to say hot but couldn’t be sure how Alain would react to her saying that. Maybe later when she’d talked to him and asked him a certain question, maybe then she’d tell him how good he looked tonight. Or maybe not.
‘Merci. The bathroom’s all yours. I go collect my parents,’ and he was gone.
Belinda decided a shower would have to do – as much as she longed to soak in a perfumed bath, there wasn’t time. Half an hour later, she was showered, hair and make-up done. She took a favourite dress off its hanger, slipped her arms into it and did up the buttons that ran down the front from the sweetheart neckline to the hem. A rich blue in colour and ethnic in style with raised embroidery, she knew the slightly fitted waist and flared skirt suited her.
There was already quite a crowd of people as she walked through the campsite down to the entertainment area. Fern was fussing around the food tables and Anouk was sat holding court with some friends from the village.
Fern gave Belinda a big happy smile as she saw her and Belinda could tell she was bursting with some news.
‘Scott sends you and Alain his best wishes and he’ll be back at the end of June. He’s booked his ticket.’
‘Oh, Fern, I’m so pleased for you,’ and she gave her friend a hug. ‘Any idea where I’ll find Alain?’
‘He was just showing a couple into a cabin,’ Fern said. ‘Why don’t you go and find him. It’s his party and he should be circulating.’
‘True. I didn’t think anyone was booked in for a cabin tonight.’ Belinda turned and began to walk towards the first of the cabins, wondering which one had been booked. She had her answer when she saw two people sitting around a table, and Alain pouring them a glass of champagne each. Must be his parents, although they looked familiar.
One of them must have seen her coming because Alain turned and smiled at her, at that very moment she recognised Nigel and Molly and began to run towards them.
‘I don’t believe this. Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?’
‘Because it was a surprise,’ Nigel said.
Belinda turned to Molly. ‘How are you? Aren’t you supposed to be resting still? Not travelling.’
‘I’m much better. A change of scenery is good for me,’ Molly said. ‘This place is looking a lot better.’
‘Alain has worked wonders,’ Belinda said.
‘You, of course, didn’t do anything.’ Alain laughed and shook his head at her.
‘How long are you staying?’ Belinda asked.
‘Definitely a week. Maybe longer,’ Molly said. ‘Alain was telling us you’ve had a difficult few weeks?’
Belinda nodded. ‘Emotional, that’s for sure. But I understand why Mum did what she did better now.’
Molly patted her arm. ‘Your mum was wracked with guilt over the way things affected you.’
Belinda took a deep breath. ‘All in the past now, Molly.’
Nigel stood up and held his hand out to Molly. ‘Come on then. Let’s join the party and find some food. I’m starving.’
Alain walked alongside Belinda as they made their way back down to the restaurant. ‘You look beautiful tonight. Lovely dress.’
‘Thank you,’ Belinda said, suddenly feeling shy and uncertain, remembering the decision she’d made. A decision that involved asking Alain a certain question. The answer to which would decide her future. She took a deep breath. She had planned to wait until later but now seemed as good a time as any.
‘I’ve been thinking, as you’re the new owner of the campsite, and I quite like working with you, and I’m going to be unemployed and homeless in a few weeks…’ She paused. ‘That maybe, if you wanted me to, I could come back for the rest of the season and work for you.’ She deliberately kept her voice light and didn’t look at him as she spoke. ‘The only problem is, I don’t know where I’d live.’
She heard Alain’s sharp intake of breath before he caught hold of her hand and held it tightly. ‘Pas de problème. You stay with me, in the house,’ Alain said. ‘And I do my best to persuade you that that’s where you belong.’ As he took her in his arms and bent his head to kiss her, Belinda knew she’d made the right decision. She belonged not only in Brittany but also in Alain’s arms.
Epilogue
