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‘What does he mean?’ she asked. ‘Why is he even here? I didn’t ask him …’

Brushing off her mother’s arm, she made her way to the front of the table where Matt was squaring up to Trev, her father and Ari.

‘I – It’s not only the waitress,’ Matt insisted through the barrier of angry men. ‘That’s nothing – it’s …’

Kane tried to pull him back. ‘For God’s sake, leave it, Matt!’

Zennor stared at Matt, gripping the table for support. ‘Why? Why are you doing this? Why now?’

‘I – I—’ he began, as if he’d suddenly become aware of the hundred pairs of eyes on him, the murmurs of contempt, the expressions of disgust – and of barely suppressed glee. She felt sick. Some of the guests were loving the drama!

‘I’m – I’m sorry. I just had to tell you, make you see …’ His voice faltered. ‘But it’s too late. I’m too late …’

He stepped away from the table and clapped his hands to his eyes. ‘Shit. What have I done? I’ve fucked up but you need to know the kind of man you’ve married!’

Trev advanced on Matt, fists balled. ‘That’s it! You’ll regret this, pal!’

Roo encircled Zennor in her arms. ‘Oh, Zen, Zen, come away …’

Kane and the other singers had Matt by the shoulders. ‘Matt. Get the hell out of here now! I’m sorry, guys. He’s been drinking. We didn’t realise or we’d never have let him join us …’

‘Yeah, you’d damn well better leave now!’ Trev snarled.

‘Stop it! All of you!’ Zennor shouted, tears running down her face. ‘Matt, please. I don’t know why you’re doing this but it’s not for me. Please, just get out of here!’

Matt opened his mouth to speak but suddenly broke free of his friends and staggered backwards. ‘I’m sorry. I’ve let you down. I’ve let everyone down. It’s too late anyway …’

He ran out of the room.

The silence in those next few seconds seemed to weigh her down. ‘I have to tell you what he’s really like. What he’s done.’ Matt’s words rang in her ears.

Then the room erupted with gasps and cries of horrified delight.

‘How awful.’

‘Disgusting.’

‘Who is he?’

‘Matt. Matt Veryan. From the Surf Club.’

‘He’s pissed.’

‘Off his face more like.’

‘Poor Zennor.’

‘Oh my God, I filmed it!’

‘Are you OK?’ Trev asked Zennor. ‘I can’t believe Veryan did that. I knew he was a tosser, but to fling wild accusations about! He must be off his face. Well, the bloody hotel can give us the money back for a start.’

Her mother-in-law piled on. ‘Who was that dreadful character? He looked like a hippie!’

‘Some drunken young idiot from the Surf Club,’ Zennor’s mum said sharply.

‘Well, I’m not having it!’ With his mother in tow, Trev marched off to berate the wedding planner, leaving Zennor with her mother and Roo.

‘Oh, Zennor. Are you OK? My poor girl.’ Her mum fanned her with a menu card.