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Before Zennor could say anything, there was a cry of ‘oof’ and an older lady nearby clutched the edge of their table, almost knocking over Zennor’s coffee. She staggered forward but Trev leapt to his feet and steadied her elbow with his arm.

‘Whoa. Are you OK?’ he asked.

Zennor also stood up, worried the lady had been about to faint.

‘Yes. I – must have tripped.’

Her friend joined them. ‘Ginny! Are you all right? You’ve gone very pale.’

‘I’m fine. Really, please don’t make a fuss, Kate. I’m sorry for interrupting your conversation,’ she said to Trev and Zennor.

‘Not at all.’ Zennor agreed with Kate. Ginny looked drained and was still holding on to the table.

‘Sit down for a bit,’ Kate urged. ‘We can get a later bus home.’

Trev scraped back his chair for Ginny to sit, while Zennor fetched a glass of water.

‘Thank you,’ Ginny said, accepting the water while Kate hovered next to her like a worried mother hen. ‘It’s just rather warm in here’. She peered at Trev and frowned. ‘I think I know you. You’re Trevelyan Jameson from the St Piran’s?’

Trev smiled. ‘Yes, that’s me.’

‘I had afternoon tea at your hotel last week. It’s looking great after the refurb. Kate and I have been going for years, haven’t we?’

Kate smiled, looking relieved to see her friend recovering. ‘Must be at least a decade. Actually I recognise you too, Zennor. I used to see you at the youth theatre when my grandkids took part.’

‘That’s me,’ Zennor said, racking her brains but failing to recall Kate.

Ginny’s eyes flicked from Trev to Zennor. ‘Are you two still married? I heard you were divorced?’

Zennor cringed. ‘We are.’ She qualified. ‘Divorced, I mean. But we’re – still friends.’ She exchanged a look with Trev, who telegraphed his own embarrassment with an awkward smile.

‘Look, can I give you ladies a lift home?’ he offered. ‘You don’t want to be waiting for a bus, especially as they’ll be rammed with tourists. And the taxis will be as rare as hen’s teeth if you haven’t prebooked.’

‘Oh, but we live in Lelant,’ Ginny said, shaking her head. ‘It’s out of your way.’

‘It’s only ten minutes on from the hotel. Honestly, it’s not a problem.’

Kate cut in. ‘Well, it would be a relief not to hang around waiting for a bus. If you’re sure?’

‘I am,’ Trev said with impressive firmness that made Zennor smile. He could be very disarming when he wanted.

Ginny sighed. ‘Thank you, but please finish your coffee first. We don’t want to spoil your morning.’

‘I need to get back to work anyway,’ Zennor said, after draining her cup.

‘I’ll fetch my car and pick you up outside,’ Trev offered.

‘It really seems like an awful lot of fuss,’ Ginny said. ‘But thank you. It is so stuffy this morning.’

Trev followed Zennor out of the café.

‘That was kind of you,’ she said.

‘It’s no trouble. Ginny doesn’t look well though I’m sure she’d hate me saying it and …’ He had a wistful expression. ‘I guess she reminds me of Mum.’

‘Well, it’s very good of you. I’m sure they appreciate it.’

‘They don’t need to and I’ve done my good deed for the day.’ He grinned. ‘See you soon, I hope. I’ve enjoyed bumping into you, even if it ended prematurely.’