A French Affair

by Jennifer Bohnet

  ‘What about your dad?’ she asked instead.

  ‘I did write to him secretly a couple of times, wanting to know how he was and asking about Lucky and Butch. But then one of my letters was returned, marked “Gone Away”. I began to believe the vitriolic things mum was constantly saying about him to me were true, so I gave up. I figured it was up to him.’ Belinda shrugged. ‘Now I don’t know whether he’s alive or dead. Down the years I did think about trying to contact him without telling mum but life was busy. Besides I knew that if she did find out what I’d done the fallout would be massive. And then she lands me with a deathbed promise – ironic or what?’ Belinda sighed. ‘I did think though it was something I might investigate while I was here. You know, visit the old home, ask questions, but somehow there hasn’t been time.’

  ‘Maybe when you come back after Easter? I’ll come with you, if you want me to,’ Fern said quietly.

  ‘Thank you. I might take you up on that offer. It was a long time ago, maybe it would be best to let sleeping dogs lie, but it’s something that had a huge impact on my life. Don’t know about everyone’s life having baggage by a certain age, mine seems to have gained a few ghosts loitering under the surface too. Every now and again, it hits me just how different my life has been against what I expected at seventeen. Anyway, enough about me,’ Belinda said determinedly and picked up her empty wine glass. ‘I think another glass of red please, while you tell me about your day.’

  Fern cleared the plates and placed their main course on the table as she told Belinda about her day. ‘I’ve got another booking for the weekend after Easter – two couples for two nights. That will stop me missing you.’ She picked up a serving spoon. ‘I hope you like fish pie with white wine sauce?’ She ladled a generous amount onto Belinda’s plate when she nodded. ‘Help yourself to broccoli and carrots.’ She paused. ‘I went to Huelgoat today and had coffee with Anouk, my ma-in-law. We saw Fabian, my stepson – Anouk’s grandson – who told me the lovely news that Carole, his wife, is expecting their second child. Which is lovely and I’m truly thrilled for them.’

  ‘I sense a but coming,’ Belinda said.

  ‘Fabian had another go at me about the auberge being half his and wanting to live here.’ Fern sighed. ‘It does seem unfair when you look at it from his point of view.’ She pushed a piece of broccoli around her plate before glancing at Belinda. ‘Can I run something past you? And please will you give me your honest opinion?’

  Belinda nodded. ‘Of course.’

  ‘I’m thinking of suggesting that Anouk moves in with me. And Fabian takes over her house. I’m not even sure that she’ll agree. I know she’d prefer to spend the rest of her days in her own home, so the chances are she’s going to say no.’

  ‘Do you get on with her?’

  ‘Yes. Anouk is lovely. She is getting increasingly frail though, and I know at some point in the future, if she does come and live with me, I’d end up as her carer. Which is something I’m happy to do.’

  ‘Would you still run the auberge?’

  ‘Yes, but more like a B&B – no evening meals. I have to keep some income coming in and there would still be five bedrooms available for guests.’

  ‘Would Fabian be happy about moving into Anouk’s house and not this one?’

  ‘He’s already suggested we house-share. He’ll inherit his grandmother’s house in due course,’ Fern said quietly. ‘As well as this one.’

  ‘It’s a colossal decision to make, which will impact hugely on your life, as well as Anouk’s,’ Belinda said as she studied her friend. ‘I know you’d be doing this for Anouk, someone you’re very fond of, but it’s one hell of a commitment to take on someone you’re not technically related to. She could live for another ten years. What happens to your own life in that time? You put it on hold?’

  17

  Waiting for the first woman to turn up for her interview about the receptionist’s job, Belinda began to tick things off her action plan. The shop cleaned and spruced up, tick. All current painting jobs done, tick. Picnic tables pressure-washed and placed in position, tick. Boules pitch down by the entertainment area, tick. Manager’s house clean and tidy, tick. Office ready for action, tick. Not that there would be a lot of action, Easter would be like a dry-run experiment for the season when, hopefully, everything would be in tip-top condition. Information board, tick. She glanced across at it in position already by the door.

  The Tourist Office had sent a large bundle of brochures and she’d been amazed at the number of attractions there were these days in Brittany, especially local ones that she’d never dreamed existed back in the day, which, of course, some of them hadn’t. Château de Trévarez, known locally as The Pink Chateau, had always been there, but the Valley of the Saints was definitely new, with its hundreds of granite statues standing on a hillside. There was Lac de Guerlédan for a day of water activities and the newly discovered Roman remains in Carhaix – so much to take Chloe and the twins to see when – if – they still came for their holiday at the end of May.

  Belinda looked up as the office door opened and Marie walked shyly in. Belinda saw her glance down, embarrassed at the scruffy clothes she wore for the cleaning jobs.

  ‘Desolé. I wanted to smarten myself up for the rendezvous, but time, it was impossible. I ’ave better clothes at home,’ she hastened to assure Belinda.

  ‘No worries, Marie. I understand,’ Belinda said. ‘I’m not exactly dressed for the office today either. I was about to suggest you sat down, but I’ve realised we only have the one chair between us in here. Must sort out at least another two, I think. Now, I already know you’re reliable and a hard worker, so tell me why we should employ you as a receptionist?’

  ‘Because I’d be good at it, given the chance. I like ’elping people and I know about the area. I speak a little English. And I know how to use a computer. I am ’appy to do whatever is needed.’

  Belinda asked a couple more questions and watched Marie as she spoke and tried to work out how old she was. Early twenties at a guess. About the same age as Chloe.

  ‘It would be part-time initially until about mid-June and then full-time,’ Belinda explained. ‘At the height of the summer season, it would be necessary to work several evenings a week, including Saturdays. Would that be a problem?’

  Marie shook her head. ‘Non.’

  ‘Okay. I have one other person to see. Once I’ve seen her, I’ll let you know later this afternoon.’ Belinda smiled at Marie as she showed her out. She had a good feeling about Marie. Alain was right. She’d almost told her the job was hers, but morally she was duty-bound to at least see the other candidate.

  Belinda glanced at her watch. The woman the employment agency were sending was late. Not a good start. In fact, not a start at all. An hour later when she’d neither shown up nor phoned to apologise for being late, Belinda went in search of a delighted Marie to tell her the job was hers.

  Alain and Hervé were standing on the office steps when Belinda retraced her steps, intending to phone the agency and tell them about the missing job candidate.

  ‘Bonjour, Hervé,’ she said politely and went to carry on in, but Alain stopped her.

  ‘Hervé has given me all the information about the vide-grenier – okay to book it for Sunday, May the third?’

  Belinda nodded. ‘Of course.’ She smiled at Hervé. ‘I hope it’s a success, I’ll be sure to ask Alain how it went. Maybe he’ll want to make it a regular feature.’

  ‘You won’t be here for it?’ Hervé asked.

  ‘I doubt it. I’m going back to Devon for Easter and possibly staying on for a few weeks.’ Belinda turned to Alain. ‘I’ve just told Marie she’s got the job. You’ll have to sort out her starting date and the initial hours you’ll need her over Easter. I won’t have time before I leave. Goodbye, Hervé, nice to see you again. Bon chance for the vide-grenier,’ and Belinda carried on into the office to tick yet another item off her list.

  As Fern worked her way through her
normal daily chores, Belinda’s question, what would happen to her own life if she did take on the responsibility for Anouk rattled around in her brain. She knew Belinda had been right to throw that question at her, but she couldn’t answer it readily. Her life would change, she knew that. Life as she currently lived it would cease to exist in many ways, but would that be such a bad thing? Having Anouk living with her could turn out to be the best thing all round.

  Living alone for the past year and a half hadn’t exactly been a fun-filled existence. She’d spent a lot of time alone, especially in the winter months when she didn’t have guests to look after. She’d taken Lady for long walks in the countryside in all weathers, read a lot of books and watched a lot of rubbish TV shows. Anouk might be old and fragile in many ways, but she was still good company and hopefully would be for years yet. Having Anouk living at the auberge would put purpose back in her life. Someone to care for on a daily basis.

  Fern picked up her mobile and pressed Anouk’s number. ‘Hi, may I come and see you this afternoon? There is something I need to ask you. I’ll bring some coffee eclairs,’ she promised, knowing that they were Anouk’s favourite cake.

  ‘Always delighted to see you, and with coffee eclairs, double delight,’ Anouk said.

  Anouk was sitting out under the loggia in the sunshine when Fern arrived, cups, saucers and plates already on the wrought-iron table. ‘Coffee in the machine is ready to go,’ she told Fern. ‘So, my dear, what is it you want to ask me?’ Anouk said when Fern had fetched and poured the coffee and put the eclairs on plates.

  Fern took a deep breath. Driving over she’d formulated a plan. ‘Have you anything planned for this Easter weekend? Meeting up with friends? Or seeing Fabian and family?’

  ‘Not many friends left these days.’ Anouk shook her head. ‘Carole has persuaded Fabian to visit her family for the ’oliday up in Normandy. Which leaves me entirely free to get up to mischief with you. What are you planning?’ Anouk gave her a beaming smile.

  Fern laughed. ‘I don’t know about mischief, but I was wondering whether you’d like to come and spend the weekend with me? We could go for a drive down to the coast if you like. Have lunch out. You could go to church in the village Sunday morning if you wanted.’

  Anouk looked at her. ‘Yes, I would like to do that. First, though, ’ave you been thinking about Fabian and his suggestions? Is this some sort of trial to see if we could live together before you suggest I move in with you?’

  Fern laughed and shook her head. ‘Nothing gets past you, does it? Yes, I have been thinking about Fabian’s suggestions, but, honestly, asking you to stay for the weekend was not a ploy to see if we could live together. It was more to see if you would even consider the idea of moving in with me. I promise you I shall not be upset if you say no, but I really, truly hope you will say yes.’

  ‘Why would you want to take on the responsibility of an old woman who isn’t related to you? What happens if I get dementia and – oh, what’s the word you English use? Do… do…’

  ‘I think you mean doolally,’ Fern said, laughing.

  ‘Doolally, that’s it. What if I get that in a few months’ time?’

  ‘Just because the man that linked us together via marriage is no longer with us, doesn’t mean that I don’t still regard you as my mother-in-law, a part of my family,’ Fern answered quietly. ‘And I promise you, I’ll never stop caring about and for you.’ She took a drink of coffee. ‘As for you going doolally – I don’t see that happening for a long time, if ever.’

  Anouk nodded thoughtfully. ‘D’accord. I too ’ave been thinking about Fabian wanting to move one of us out of our homes. The reasons you want to stay in the auberge are as valid as Fabian’s are for wanting you to move out. We will spend the weekend together and talk it through properly. Mais.’ She looked at Fern with a glint in her eye. ‘We ’ave no need to mention this to Fabian. He is away and we will decide without the pressure. It is for the best. D’accord?’

  ‘D’accord,’ Fern agreed.

  18

  When Belinda arrived back at the auberge that evening, she listened as a happy Fern told her about the conversation with Anouk and her weekend plans. ‘I’ll pick her up Saturday morning and by the time she leaves sometime on Tuesday she promises to have made a decision.’

  Fern looked at Belinda. ‘I did think about what you said about putting my life on hold, but I think having Anouk here will do the opposite in reality. Life since Laurent died has been lonely and inconsequential. Having someone relying on me will make me do things again. I wish you could meet her before you leave.’

  ‘From what you’ve told me about Anouk, I think if she does come here, it sounds as though it will benefit you both,’ Belinda replied. ‘Hopefully I’ll be back to help finalise things for the opening of the campsite. I can meet her then.’

  ‘At least you’ll be able to see your daughter and the twins,’ Fern said.

  ‘That’s what I’m looking forward to the most,’ Belinda answered. ‘What about your girls? Are you likely to see them over the holiday?’

  Fern shook her head. ‘No, sadly. They both have their own busy lives. I expect they’ll be over later in the summer though.’

  After supper, Belinda apologised to Fern and went upstairs to finish sorting her things out. Once she’d packed and prepared everything for the morning, she stood in front of the bedroom window, looking out over the dark countryside. An almost full moon was illuminating the fields and owls were tooting in the copse at the far side of the field.

  Belinda sighed. She’d felt so at home here in Brittany for the past few weeks, she’d be sad to leave tomorrow. The time here had woken something inside her that had been buried for far too long.

  The next morning at work, she made sure everything on her to-do list was as up to date as she could make it, and the booking page on the website was properly loaded and working. She hoped that Maria was as computer-literate as she said and would soon get the hang of things. If not, Belinda could only hope that Alain would be more helpful to Maria than he had been with her. Afterwards, she wandered around outside for a while, taking some photos on her phone to show everyone back home. So much had changed in such a short time and the place was really starting to look good. She even managed to snap an unsuspecting Alain as he chainsawed some branches into logs. Putting her phone away, she headed over to him and waited until he saw her and silenced the chainsaw.

  ‘I’ll be off in about ten minutes,’ Belinda said. ‘I’ll leave my keys in the office desk drawer. Hopefully I’ll see you at the end of the month.’

  ‘Okay. ’Ave a safe journey. See you when you get back,’ and Alain opened up the chainsaw again, making further conversation impossible.

  Once BB was settled in his travelling cushion in the back of the car, Belinda started the engine and drove away. Driving slowly down the potholed lane, she remembered that first day when she’d driven equally slowly in the opposite direction, not wanting to be there, her mind full of unhappy memories. This time, though, it was a feeling of not wanting to leave that kept her speed down in an effort not to reach the end and turn onto the road and make for the ferry at Roscoff. She was surprised to realise that she’d made a number of happy memories during the last few weeks. New memories that were slowly replacing old sad ones.

  19

  The first morning back in her flat at the top of the Riverside hotel, Belinda struggled to remember where she was when the alarm went off and woke her. She lay there for a few minutes listening to the early-morning sounds of people and traffic down on the quayside. Sounds that felt alien to her after the silence of the Brittany countryside for the past few weeks.

  After showering, Belinda moved across to the wardrobe. Jeans and a sweatshirt, her normal workday attire for the campsite, wouldn’t do here. Businesslike and professional was the look she needed. Reluctantly, she pulled out one of her navy work suits that she teamed with a white shirt. She caught her light brown hair up in a neat ballerina-typ
e bun at the back of her head, instead of simply brushing it and leaving it loose. There, back in proper work mode, so why didn’t she feel excited at the prospect of spending her days once again working in a job that had always given her a sense of purpose, of being needed? Smothering a sigh, Belinda picked up her work bag and laptop.

  ‘Come on then, BB, back in the old routine.’ The little dog gave a quick bark and followed her out of the door.

  Downstairs in the hotel’s dining room, she helped herself to a mug of coffee from the machine on the buffet table and stood looking around, making sure everything was up to standard before heading for reception.

  Donna, the senior receptionist, was on duty and welcomed Belinda back with a smile. ‘Nigel will be pleased to see you.’

  ‘I’m heading over to Torquay this morning to see him and Molly,’ Belinda said. ‘Everything ticking along here? Anything I need to know about?’

  Donna shook her head. ‘All good. We’re full for the Easter weekend. Housekeeper is on top of everything for that.’ She hesitated. ‘There is one thing, but that’s up to Nigel to tell you.’

  Belinda raised her eyebrows and looked at her, but Donna shook her head.

  ‘Sorry, I shouldn’t have said anything.’

  ‘Okay. I’ll see you later,’ Belinda said, feeling unsettled and wondering what Nigel needed to tell her.

  ‘Give my love to Molly,’ Donna said.

  ‘Will do.’

  Half an hour later and Belinda was driving along the Torquay ring road approaching the turning to take for the coastal road where the hotel was situated. Traffic was heavy and Belinda found herself thinking wistfully of the quieter Brittany roads. Once in the hotel grounds, she quickly parked and, taking the pot of tulips she’d bought at the garden centre en route, made her way through the hotel to Nigel and Molly’s cottage hidden away in the grounds. The door was on the latch and she pushed it open.