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‘I should be going,’ Zennor said, ‘or the bakery will only have some abomination like chicken curry pasties left.’ She shuddered.

Sybil rolled her eyes. ‘How very traditional of you.’

Zennor pushed herself out of the chair, her pulse beating a little faster as she approached the topic she’d been saving until last, and hoped would almost come as an aside. ‘Oh, before I go, did you know that Matt’s back in the area?’ she said as casually as she could.

‘Matt?’ Sybil echoed.

‘Yes.’ Zennor frowned.

‘Oh, you mean Matt Matt.’ Sybil smiled. ‘Matt, my godson, not that I should ever have accepted that particular role, given I’m a fully paid-up member of the Heathens’ Union and I’ve not spoken to the boy for a good while.’ She smirked. ‘Anyway, I digress as usual. In answer to your question, I did know he’d moved back to the area. He messages me from time to time but I haven’t met up with him yet.’

‘He’s bought a flat in Hayle and has – business interests down here.’ Zennor fiddled with a hairbrush. ‘But you know that, I suppose?’

Sybil blew out a breath. ‘I did but I haven’t said anything because – well – I didn’t think it would help the situation if I told you, and judging by your face, you seem less than happy he’s moved back this way.’

Zennor would have liked to have been warned but she understood Sybil’s reasons for not talking about Matt.

‘It would suit me if he never set foot in St Ives again, but he called round to the office last week and took us both by surprise. He came to tell us he’s bought the building and is our new landlord and has all kind of fancy plans to do it up.’

‘Does he now?’ Sybil twisted her lips. ‘I didn’t know that. Hmm. I can understand why you’re not thrilled about him being so involved again.’

Zennor glanced around her but no one appeared to be listening. Even so … ‘I don’t know. But it is what it is. Water under the bridge and all that.’

‘Oh, of course. That ship has sailed, et cetera.’ Sybil lifted an eyebrow.

‘And he’s acting all community-minded and supervising the refurb of the Surf Club,’ Zennor said. ‘In fact, he’s paying for it.’

Sybil whistled. ‘Again, I wasn’t aware of that. He’s made the most of Harry’s legacy and done well for himself. If he wants to share his good fortune with the club, it’s understandable.’

‘Yes, of course. It’s only that he’s everywhere now,’ Zennor said with a sigh. ‘All the time.’

‘He used to be everywhere all the time,’ Sybil said wryly.

‘That was a long time ago,’ Zennor murmured, half regretting mentioning Matt’s name.

Debs approached with an apologetic grimace. ‘Sorry to break up the party, guys, but we need to take Sybil’s foils out before rinsing and applying the toner.’

‘No probs. I’m going back to work after I’ve picked up a couple of pasties for lunch.’

‘How very clichéd,’ Sybil said with a twinkle in her eye.

‘I have to live up to the image of the Cornish girl. Just like you.’

‘Ha! Which reminds me … there was something very Sybil the Storyteller in the Harbour Boutique. A delicious purple kaftan with moons and stars appliqued on it. I think I’ll indulge and get some new photos for your website when my hair’s been mussed up.’

Zennor laughed. ‘I can picture you in it already.’

‘I’ll definitely get it after I’m done here. We must catch up soon, darling. Pop round to mine whenever it suits you.’

‘Sounds good,’ Zennor said although she now knew she was in for a grilling about Matt, so the invitation was a double-edged sword.

‘By the way, you should brush up on your acting skills, my lovely. I could see through the studied casualness a mile off. I can give you some tips on playing a part,’ she said before adding, with a flicker of sadness in her eyes that Zennor didn’t think she’d ever seen before: ‘It’s much harder to pretend in life than on stage.’

Before Zennor had a chance to reply, Debs appeared with a determined look in her eye. ‘Shall we take these foils off?’

‘I’m out of here.’ With a wave of the hand, Zennor walked up the Digey and down the cobbles towards the bakery.

While she queued for the pasties, she thought of Sybil’s comments. She was right about one thing. Zennor was no actor and she hadn’t fooled Sybil with her affected indifference to Matt. However, Sybil herself had sounded quite melancholy.