Anouk was asleep when Fern went to tell her she was walking Lady with Scott, so she quickly scribbled a note and left it on the bedside table where Anouk would see it when she awoke.
Clipping Lady’s lead on, Fern joined Scott, who was waiting outside for her, and they started to walk in the direction of the church and the village. Only the first day of the weekend and already it was turning out to be so different to how she’d imagined it would be when she’d invited Anouk. Scott turning up had been a surprise, changing the whole ethos of the day and probably the whole weekend.
‘Have you been doing the touristy thing of going here, there and everywhere since the day we met in Gourin? Or have you been concentrating on family history?’ Fern asked, glancing across at him as he strolled at her side.
‘A bit of both,’ Scott said. ‘Gourin is where the family is from, so I’ve tended to stay around that area, but I’ve been further afield too. North coast, west coast and south coast. Brittany has so much coastline, it should be an island!’
Fern laughed. ‘All three coasts are so different too. Do you want to look inside the church? I can wait outside with Lady if you do,’ Fern said as they drew level with the entrance to the church.
‘Not this afternoon,’ Scott replied. ‘I’ll wander up another time.’
They both paused to look at the Easter arrangement of fluffy yellow chicks, eggs, artisan chocolates and daffodils in the window of the village shop. ‘I love Easter time,’ Fern said. ‘To me, it signals that winter is nearly over and spring is finally on its way back.’
When they reached the crossroads, they turned left onto the road leading to the campsite.
‘Shall we turn back now?’ Fern said a few moments later as they approached the top of the lane leading to the campsite. ‘I don’t like to leave Anouk on her own too long.’
‘Does she often spend time with you?’ Scott asked.
‘This is the first weekend. It’s meant to be a test to see how we’d get on if she moved in permanently.’
‘Ah, that explains something,’ Scott said. ‘She invited me to have coffee with her one morning but said she had to decide where that would be first. She’s very independent, she’ll find it hard living in someone else’s home, even yours, I suspect. Is there a need for her to move in with you?’ Scott asked.
‘It’s complicated,’ and Fern gave him a quick run-down as to why the idea was under consideration. ‘And, if I’m honest, I know I would benefit from having Anouk in the house too. It would make me feel needed again.’
‘How old is Anouk?’
‘It’s her ninetieth birthday this year,’ Fern said. ‘Do you mind holding Lady for a minute or two while I go into the village shop?’
‘Sure thing,’ and Scott held out his hand for the lead.
In the shop, Fern collected the Easter egg she’d ordered for Anouk and hesitated over buying one for Scott before selecting one for him too. Carrying the bag, she rejoined Scott and took back Lady.
‘Thank you.’
‘D’you want to start walking home and I’ll catch up with you?’ Scott asked. ‘I’ve just realised I need a new tube of toothpaste.’
‘Okay,’ and Fern smiled at him as he turned away to go into the shop.
To her surprise, she was home and indoors and he still hadn’t appeared. The shop hadn’t been that busy. There was no sign of Anouk either. She was about to go and check on her when she heard Scott return and go straight to his room – presumably to put his toothpaste in the bathroom. Minutes later, he walked into the kitchen carrying a bottle of champagne.
‘My contribution to Easter Sunday,’ he said, holding it out.
‘Oh goodness, thank you, my favourite brand,’ Fern said, looking at the orange label. ‘I’ll put it in the fridge now.’
‘If I may, I’m going to spend the afternoon sitting in your wonderful garden and read,’ Scott said. ‘Unless I can do anything to help you?’
‘No thanks. You’ll find loungers and cushions in the small shed. See you later.’ If he’d been a proper guest, she’d have rushed to get them out, but somehow Scott didn’t feel like a paying guest even though he was.
To even think of him as a new friend was a dangerous thought though. She’d known him for far too short a time to treat him as anything but a paying guest. Besides, he’d be moving on soon. Returning to America.