We have a French family staying with us at the moment and Madame, who made the booking, shocked me somewhat by ordering two single rooms, for her and her brother, and a double “Pour mon pere et ma belle mere” I realise that the French have a reputation for broad minded behaviour but confessed to be shocked by the information that her Father and her Mother-in-law were happy to share a bed.
All however was explained by Síle, in France the term Belle Mere covers both the role of Mother-in law and step-mother.