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The sight of him, striding confidently across the tiled floor, made Zennor’s stomach tighten with nerves but she smiled, knowing that she and Trev were on full public view and that anyone who knew their history might be watching to see how they greeted each other.

They knew each other too well to shake hands, and they were hardly going to kiss on the cheek, so broad smiles and an outwardly warm ‘hello’ had to do.

‘Hello. Found your way OK, then?’ he joked, leading the way through the lobby to the bar and holding the door open for her.

‘I managed,’ Zennor joked back.

At this hour, the bar was closed, although a young guy was restocking the spirits.

The St Piran’s gleamed in the morning light that poured through the doors from the terrace that overlooked the creamy sands of one of the most exclusive beaches in St Ives. Like the lobby, the bar now had a minimalist luxe vibe rather than the plush velour grandeur she remembered from her wedding.

‘This is … nice,’ she said, following him to a table and tub chairs near the grand piano. ‘Very smart.’

Rather like Trev himself in his stone chinos and black polo shirt. Once more, Zennor noted he had lost a bit of bulk. He used to work out in the gym all the time. Now, he looked more like he ran or cycled.

‘Yeah. The previous owners only had it done a couple of years ago. Unfortunately, ill health forced them to retire early.’

‘So I heard. Shame. They were occasional clients of ours.’

His interested was piqued. ‘So, you have been back here since – you know?’

‘No. Roo used to deal with them. They didn’t do a lot of social events.’ Apart from weddings, she could have added but stopped herself.

‘That’s what I want to talk to you about. Coffee?’

‘A cold drink would be nice,’ Zennor said, her hands clammy with nerves.

Trev summoned the barman and ordered the sparkling water Zennor requested and an espresso for himself.

When the barman had gone, he sat back in his chair and crossed one leg over the other, clearly at home in his new kingdom. Zennor was in no way as relaxed as Trev appeared to be and suspected he was working himself up to something unrelated to events.

‘I have to admit I’m surprised you came at all.’

‘If we’re going to be working together, then we need to set aside any personal history.’ She managed a smile. ‘I’m sure you agree with that, but before we start, I wanted to say that it was nice of you to send the flowers to Sybil. How did you hear about the accident?’

‘Shilpa told me. She heard from someone who’d been at the event.’

‘They arrived the day after. You were fast.’

‘I asked for same-day delivery.’ He frowned. ‘There’s not a problem with them, is there?’

‘No. Of course not. They were gorgeous. It was a big surprise.’

‘For Sybil or you?’ He arched an eyebrow.

‘Both of us, as a matter of fact.’

He brushed a dark thread off his chinos. ‘I find that a bit sad. The fact you’re so amazed I thought of sending flowers.’

‘I’m not amazed. It’s only …’ Zennor didn’t want to say that Trev was no fan of Sybil’s.

His smile was wry. ‘You’re amazed that I sent flowers to Sybil when we’ve never really seen eye to eye.’

‘Well, yes.’ If the past had been raked up by this conversation, it was Zennor’s fault.

‘Maybe look on it as an olive branch? I know I said some harsh things about Sybil when we were married. If I’m honest, I was a bit jealous.’

‘Of Sybil?’ Zennor burst out laughing in astonishment.