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‘A Coke or a coffee then?’ There was a desperate uplift to his voice that made Zennor both wary of him and sorry for him. She hesitated. Trev was the last person she’d expected to pop up at the festival. He’d never been to it before as far as she knew. Her skin prickled with unease.

‘I’m not sure.’

‘After how things ended, I think we owe it to ourselves to have a civilised conversation. I regret some of the things I said when we were splitting up. I shouldn’t have tried to stop you leaving but it was an emotional time …’

‘It was an emotional time for all of us. I probably said some stuff too …’ Zennor said. Everything that had driven them apart was still there. The suspicions, her accusations, his denials, the lack of trust that had corroded their marriage from the inside – they still existed even after the divorce.

Matt crept into her mind again. How would he react to Trev being back in town? Not that his reaction should be of any interest to her.

‘Don’t feel pressured …’ Trev had concern in his eyes. ‘If you don’t feel you want to talk, I totally understand.’

She relented. It couldn’t do any harm and he must want to talk about his mum to someone he’d once been close to. She would have to be pretty heartless to refuse. ‘Yes, why not?’

They walked to the Woodland Bar in the food area. It was still only a quarter to ten and the sun hadn’t long set. Beyond the treeline, over the sea, the sky was streaked with pink and gold amid the twilight blue. The air was still, moths fluttering in the twinkling lights.

‘I’ll get the drinks,’ she said, expecting a battle. Trev had always insisted on paying for everything, and to be fair, he’d been the one who could afford to.

‘OK. Thanks. Shall I find a seat?’

‘If you can,’ Zennor said.

While queueing for the bar, Zennor tried to ground herself. Her evening had taken a surreal turn that had nothing to do with the array of mythical creatures milling among the crowds.

She was painfully aware she’d almost binned that wedding photo of Trev just a couple of weeks previously and now she was going to be sitting with him, talking – almost like old friends. She wanted to find out why her ex-husband had suddenly materialised in her neck of the woods, and besides, what kind of person refused a drink with a man whose mother had recently died and who was still grieving?

She returned with two zero beers to find Trev standing by a tall bar table, scrolling through his phone. He put it away the moment she arrived and smiled a little sheepishly. She knew he was putting on a brave face, although it was not quite as brave as the man she’d married.

‘Here you are.’

‘Thanks. Sorry I couldn’t find a proper table.’

‘It’s fine. I’d been sitting on those logs for too long.’

‘I know. My back’s killing me too. The joy of getting older.’

‘Hmm.’ She smiled and tipped the bottle to her lips.

‘I expect you’re surprised to see me here?’

‘A bit. No. A lot. I didn’t think this was your thing – and anyway, I thought you were still living in Sussex.’

‘I was – am – technically.’ He toyed with the neck of the bottle. ‘Zen. I have a confession to make.’

Little spiders of trepidation scuttled down her spine. Was this where he was going to admit that her suspicions and fears during her marriage had been well founded?

‘I thought you’d be here. In fact, I’d have bet on it. I saw Sybil’s name on the ads for this event and hoped you’d be at her performance.’

‘It was still a bit of a gamble.’

‘Yes, but I saw that she’s a client on your website and socials and you’ve always been very close. Kernow Entz looks like it’s very successful. You’ve done well.’

‘Roo’s been amazing. The business wouldn’t be where it is without her. How long have you been following our socials?’

‘A few months. Ever since I knew I’d be coming back to St Ives. Losing Mum has made me re-evaluate a lot of stuff in my life.’

Zennor felt her eyebrows lift.

‘I can see you’re sceptical and I don’t blame you. I’ll be the first to admit that I’d have laughed at those people who say they changed their lives and now they’re a different person. I didn’t buy that.’