Page 69

Together with the contractors and some of the members, he’d worked day and night over the past week to get the club ready for the launch party. Now it was here, he felt like a fluffy bunny in the headlights of a truck.

‘Are you OK? I can delay a little while if you need a few moments. This must be quite emotional for you …’

‘No. I mean, yes, it’s a big deal but in a good way.’ He smiled at Dawn. ‘I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.’

He accompanied Dawn to the front of the refurbished club function room, where a small area around the plaque on the wall had been cordoned off with chairs and a rope. People had started to gather, making their way in from the terrace and the bar area.

‘I’d no idea so many people would turn up.’ It was a hot and sticky day and more and more bodies were piling in. The smell of fresh paint lingered and made him feel faintly nauseous.

‘Really? This is by far the busiest the club’s been for years. I wish we’d sold tickets. Only joking. OK, let’s call everyone to order.’

‘Hello, everyone! I said: hello, everyone!’ Dawn waved her hands. ‘I know you’re all having a great time, drinking and catching up, but I just want to say a few words before I unveil the plaque to commemorate the Harry Veryan Clubhouse.’

Cheers and whoops rang out, and faces fixed on Dawn and Matt. The attention was like a fire whose heat grew more oppressive by the moment. He’d been a performer once, although he hadn’t done it for the attention but to experience the joy of singing alongside his friends and share his love of music with the audience.

And while he’d known this moment was coming, and thought he’d prepared for it, he hadn’t prepared at all.

‘Some of you here had the privilege of knowing Harry and were proud to call him a friend,’ Dawn continued. ‘A few of you won’t remember him, but can’t fail to have heard of this giant of the Cornish lifesaving scene. He was the founder of this club, and a stalwart throughout its history until he sadly passed away three years ago.’

Matt had to glance at the ground briefly.

‘It’s thanks to Harry that the town has a Surf Lifesaving Club at all, and thanks to him there are at least forty families whose loved ones are alive today. I am delighted to say that we have several of those families here now.’

Matt’s lips parted in shock. He hadn’t realised that survivors’ families would be there. He looked out on the crowd and noticed faces smiling at him in gratitude. Zennor was also watching him and then, behind her, he saw Trev.

‘Unfortunately, Matt’s parents – Harry’s son and daughter-in-law, Chris and Zoey, can’t be here tonight, but they have sent a message from their home in Australia.’

Dawn read the message out and for this, at least, Matt had been prepared. His dad had apologised for his absence and said how proud he was of the plaque and of the club being named after Harry. It was Matt, however, to whom Harry had been really close, with their shared love of singing and the Surf Club.

After the respectful applause following the message had faded, Dawn went on excitedly, ‘So, now, I’d like to ask Matt to unveil the plaque.’

The plaque had been fixed on the wall set in a piece of granite from the beach.

With fingers not quite steady, Matt removed the dark cloth covering the plaque. The bronze plaque read:

THE HARRY VERYAN CLUBHOUSE

IN MEMORY OF THE FOUNDER OF THE ST EIA SURF LIFESAVING CLUB

There was cheering and applause as Matt smiled and tried to keep eye contact with the audience while being dangerously close to crying, running away, or both. He’d had no idea that the launch would have such a powerful effect on him.

Zennor, lips pressed together with suppressed emotion, applauded with her hands high in the air. His heart warmed to her even more. She was a good person – too good for him.

He wished Trev wasn’t behind her, also smiling and applauding. He wished he was at Zennor’s side. He was in love with her – he loved her and there was nothing he could do to change that.

Dawn waited for a lull before continuing. ‘And most of all, I – and the rest of the club – would like to thank Matt himself for funding a substantial amount of the cost of renovating the clubhouse and changing rooms, not to mention project-managing the work. I’m sure that Harry would be delighted that all the members now have modern, up-to-date facilities and would be very proud of Matt’s generosity and hard work.’ She paused for breath as more cheers rang out.

Matt held up his hands as if to quieten the audience. This was too much. He felt exactly like his grandad would have, yet hadn’t the dry quip ready.

Dawn went on: ‘And I’m thrilled to announce another piece of good news. In addition to the clubhouse renovation, I’m delighted to tell you that the club has also decided to launch a brand-new training bursary resource for young members called the Harry Veryan Fund. It has been founded thanks to the generous donations from a number of local businesspeople and the fundraising for it will be ongoing.’

This was the first Matt had heard of the fund in his grandfather’s name. He’d only provided the money for the renovation works, which was a not insignificant sum.

Everyone clapped and cheered, yet Matt felt his face grow fiery with embarrassment. He really didn’t want to be thanked, especially not in public.

‘And now,’ Dawn said, smiling, ‘over to you, Matt.’

Knowing he’d have to say a few words, Matt had thought long and hard about what they might be, yet now he was put on the spot, he struggled to remember any of his prepared speech.