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‘I could. I might … Look, I will be OK, you know? I’ve been thoroughly checked out and my heart and head are fine. People do faint. You did once in the run-up to the wedding, remember?’

‘Yes, during that dress fitting. That was such a hot day … Oh, hadn’t I been up late trying to make the table plan work, too? Trev’s mum had been on and on about it … poor woman, she always wanted everything perfect. I’m surprised she didn’t have a heart attack during Matt’s little stunt.’

‘Hmm. In many ways, I’m glad I wasn’t there to see it. He does care, you know, about me and about you. I knew you must have both been very worried to have come to the hospital together.’

‘If I’d been thinking properly, I’d have brought my car but we dropped everything to come over.’ Zennor corrected herself, hoping her blush wouldn’t be noticed: ‘We’d been working in the office.’

‘And I’m grateful, even if I didn’t seem it. I have some lovely friends but you two are the closest I have to family.’

For a second, Zennor thought Sybil was on the verge of tears. She was about to reach out a hand to comfort Sybil, but Sybil suddenly laughed. ‘I suppose I have a right old shiner.’

‘It’s … coming out, I’m afraid. You could make it all part of the act when you’re back at work.’

‘Yes, though I hope it’s faded in a couple of days.’

‘You need more time off than that. At least a week.’

‘I have to earn a crust,’ Sybil huffed.

‘You can manage. I can even help a bit financially if you need it.’

Sybil rested her fingers on Zennor’s arm. ‘My dear girl, I’m perfectly solvent. In fact, I could retire if I wanted to – lucky me – but what the hell would I do with my life? I like acting and storytelling. It keeps me young even if the job requires me to play the old crone. Could you give up doing what you love?’

‘I did give up acting and singing but that’s because I didn’t love them enough. It was also probably because I wasn’t very good at them.’

‘You were. You could have made a decent career out of it.’

‘Thanks for the vote of confidence but I loved teaching more and helping friends.’

‘And both of those things are a rare gift indeed. For what it’s worth, I’ve never seen you happier than of late. It’s like you’re emerging from a dark tunnel. Don’t let anything or anyone derail you.’

‘Do you mean Matt or Trev?’

Sybil wagged a finger. ‘Ah, now, only you can decide that.’

CHAPTER TWENTY

Best wishes, Trevelyan.

It had been strange to see Trev’s full name on the flower card to Sybil. Zennor had only ever heard or seen it at the wedding ceremony or on their utility bills – or when his late mother had been annoyed with him, which was rare as he could do no wrong in her eyes.

Puzzling over the bouquet soon became the least of her worries as she drove up the sweeping driveway of the St Piran’s a few days later.

The last time she’d been here had been in the back of a vintage Rolls-Royce on the way to her wedding from her parents’ house. Her dad had patted her hand and told her she looked an absolute picture and she’d been bubbling over with excitement at being a bride.

Today, her fingers were clammy around the wheel as she parked in a visitor’s spot at the front of the building. She’d managed to avoid any further visits, delegating them to Roo when the previous owners had, occasionally, been looking for entertainers for their weddings and events.

However, Trev had asked her to come to the hotel to discuss the entertainment for a programme of events he wanted to get in place as soon as possible. Zennor could have sent Roo but her curiosity overrode her anxiety.

Even so, her heart beat faster when she climbed out of the car and walked up to the reception entrance in the morning sun. It was almost the same as it had been, still grand in an understated way, with two large cordylines in granite tubs either side of the door. However, there was a new metal sign, ‘St Piran’s Spa and Hotel’, fixed to the recently rendered walls.

Trev was making his mark already.

A chirpy bell boy opened the door for her. ‘Good morning. Welcome to the St Piran’s!’ he declared.

Zennor smiled. ‘Thanks.’

Guests were checking out and the smell of bacon and croissants drifted from the restaurant where breakfast was still being served. The receptionist called Trev and he was there within a minute.