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‘Have you heard about this fundraiser at Trev’s new place?’ Roo asked when they were back in the office a couple of days later. She had a gleam of excitement in her eye and apparently couldn’t even wait to put the coffees down on the desk.

‘What fundraiser?’ Zennor asked.

‘I was scrolling my feed while I queued for the drinks and it came up because I follow the St Piran’s website. He’s advertising a couple of the bands you signed up recently, so I assumed you knew about it.’ She handed the cup to Zennor. ‘Sorry, they had no skinny milk so it’s semi. And they accidentally made me a full-caff one so there’s spare. I dunno what to do with it.’

‘Thanks,’ Zennor said. The milk situation was the least of her worries. ‘I knew the hotel had booked the bands but I assumed they’d booked both for a trial music night in the Piano Bar.’

‘I’ll send you a link,’ Roo said.

A moment later, Zennor’s phone pinged. The event was prominently advertised on the hotel’s page.

ST PIRAN’S SPA HOTEL

MUSIC NIGHT

Join us for a fantastic evening of great music, delicious tapas and cocktails

Special auction in aid of the St Eia Surf Lifesaving Club

Tickets £50 per person

Includes cocktails and tapas

Book online HERE

Roo sat back in her chair. ‘I wonder if Dawn knows about this?’

‘She’d have to have been consulted.’

‘On the other hand, I guess Trev doesn’t have to ask permission to do some fundraising.’

‘No …’ At one time, Trev would not have dreamed of asking. His mantra was ‘ask for forgiveness, not permission’. However, the new Trev did seem different. He would probably have consulted Dawn. ‘I’m sure the club committee know all about it.’

Roo tapped her pen on the desk. ‘Mmm. He’s certainly getting involved in the community.’

‘Yeah …’ They both looked up because someone was humming from outside the back door. The humming turned into a voice singing softly. The words were almost inaudible but the tune was ‘Lamorna’, a traditional folk song.

‘Is that—’ Roo mouthed the word: ‘Matt?’

‘I think so …’

With the spare coffee in hand, she stole into the kitchenette and listened through the back door, which was propped open to let in the fresh air. Zennor broke out in goosebumps. Although you could hardly call his combo of humming and faint snatches actual singing, the soulful, lilting tone was still unmistakeably his. It brought memories, bitter and sweet, flooding back to her.

Still oblivious to her presence, Matt switched to a contemporary tune, singing louder because he thought no one was listening.

She put the coffee on the kitchen worktop, closed her eyes, and she was back in the past. She was in her teens, singing alongside him, not worrying about anything but the next wave, the next beer, the next kiss …

‘Zen?’ Seconds after the song had ended, Matt loomed on the back step, clutching a tool bag. ‘Did you want me?’ he said, unable to look her in the eye. ‘I thought I heard you calling.’

She snatched up the takeaway cup. ‘I, um, came to offer you a cappuccino. We got a free one from the bakery so it’s going spare.’

‘Why, thank you for your generous offer, but I already had a coffee on the way here.’

‘Oh. I – Well, you would be very welcome to it,’ Zennor said, realising how grudging her offer had sounded.

‘Thanks. Appreciate it. I came to tighten up that tap. Roo mentioned it was leaking.’

Zennor glanced at the tap, which was completely free of drips.