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Sybil didn’t answer but reached for her mug and sipped.

He glanced out of the window at the rain lashing the panes as if it wanted to punish the house into submission. The sea was steely grey, whipped up into a frenzy by the wind.

‘Summer in Cornwall, eh?’ Sybil said before returning her attention to Matt. ‘Good job it wasn’t like this for the Magic Lantern Festival. I thought you might have gone there yourself.’

‘No. I – thought about it – but I was too busy.’

‘You mean you didn’t want to seem to be following Zennor around?’

‘In a way. I had no reason to be there. The thing is, though, I have heard a rumour. I don’t think it can be true but when I was at the Surf Club, I heard Vince Horobin – you know, the chief instructor – telling Dawn he’d seen Trev at the festival. Vince is an accountant and did Trev’s books at one time so it’s unlikely he’d make a mistake. I thought I’d check with you, in case you’d seen him?’

‘Hmm … your man Vince was right. Trev was there. In fact, he came to my performance. He was standing at the back and he was talking to Zennor.’

‘What?’ Matt started, sloshing tea over the tabletop and splashing his jeans. ‘Shit. Sorry.’

Sybil shoved a tea towel at him. ‘Here, mop it up with this.’

He dabbed at his jeans and wiped the tabletop, already regretting his overreaction. ‘What for? Why the hell was he with Zennor?’

‘I don’t know. I could hardly interrogate them while I was taking my bows. I don’t even know if Zennor realises I saw them, but I think they went off afterwards for a drink.’

Matt swore under his breath.

‘I’m sure she wasn’t expecting him. I was doing my show, so I couldn’t tell what was going on, but she hasn’t mentioned him to me.’

‘Jeez. What does he want? Why is he even here?’

‘Apparently, he’s bought the St Piran’s Spa.’

Matt bit back a swear word. ‘No way. No frigging way.’

‘I’m afraid it’s true.’

‘Shit. And Trev’s after Zennor again, is he?’ Matt blew out a sharp breath of contempt.

‘I don’t know what he wants.’

‘Does Zennor?’

Sybil sighed. ‘I wish I hadn’t even mentioned it to you. I only did so you don’t hear it from someone else first. I realised you’d be … taken aback and need some time to process the news. I probably shouldn’t even be talking about it.’

‘Thanks.’ He found it impossible not let his anger at Trev’s return seep into his tone.

‘I don’t expect you to be grateful for anything I ever say or do, but on this occasion, please don’t shoot the messenger. Apparently, his mum died last autumn and left him some money and he’s bought the hotel with it.’

‘And he randomly decided to buy the hotel where he and Zen got married. I hadn’t realised his mum was that loaded.’

‘Neither did I, to be honest. Does it bother you?’

He snorted. ‘The money? No, of course not. That sort of thing never has.’

‘Are you sure?’ Sybil asked.

Matt was aware that part of his motivation to succeed had been because of Zennor. He had wanted to prove himself.

‘I am genuinely sorry about his mother’s death. I would never wish loss on anyone and he can do anything he wants with his money for all I care.’

She arched an eyebrow. ‘Except buy the hotel – that hotel?’