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‘No, it doesn’t,’ Sybil declared. ‘That’s the way you’re meant to feel when you perform, particularly with your friends. It doesn’t always happen but sometimes everything aligns and it can be that magical. I can’t say I feel it now … maybe occasionally with a really good audience, but when I was in the theatre, if we had a good night and a great audience, at the end, I could have soared off the stage. We’d all be high as a kite for hours afterwards. I’d hardly sleep all night.’

The remaining cows trailed up the road after their obstinate friend and into the other field. Matt reached over and patted her hand. ‘You’re right as usual. It’s just – the whole thing was so draining and yes, the singing with the choir was incredible, but after that … things went a bit tits up.’

‘Oh dear.’

‘Can I ask who told you about me singing at the launch?’ he asked as pleasantly as he could.

‘Zennor, of course. We had a quick coffee in town.’

‘Ah. Is there anything else she told you?’

‘Only that it was pretty intense and emotional.’

Matt nodded. ‘You could say that.’

Another cow had decided to stop. Matt sighed. ‘Good job we left lots of time to get to the event.’

‘Yes. Look, if you don’t want to offload, then that’s fine. Zennor wasn’t keen either other than giving me a few details about the singing. By the way, she said you brought tears to her eyes.’

‘I’ve done that a few times,’ Matt murmured.

‘You certainly seem to arouse strong emotions in each other.’

‘Hmm. Did she say that Trev was at the launch?’

‘She mentioned it.’

‘He’s muscled in on the fundraising, offering a sponsorship package for trainee lifeguards.’

‘I’m guessing you aren’t happy?’

‘I’m not but I can’t do a thing about it. I – was upset and feelings were running high and I may have let her know how I felt about Trev taking over.’

‘Oh.’ Sybil let out a sigh. ‘Zennor didn’t say anything about a row between you.’

‘Well … I did exactly what I’d vowed not to: tried to warn her about Trev. Said stuff about him. Jeez, I wish I hadn’t!’ He banged on the steering wheel. ‘Shit. I’m just so worried – worried she’ll go back to that bastard.’

‘She won’t.’ Sybil sounded adamant.

‘She might. She said it was her decision if she did and it was none of my business.’

Sybil shook her head and sounded exasperated. ‘What do you expect her to say if you back her into a corner? If you do exactly what you promised not to and what she was dreading?’

Matt gripped the wheel. ‘I – just can’t bear for him to con her again. I can’t let it happen.’

‘But you may have to let things happen. Don’t you trust Zennor’s judgement?’

‘I – Yes, but Trev is a cunning character. He’s trying rewrite the past by fooling her into believing he’s a new man, when I’m sure he’s every bit as much of a tosser as he always was. It would tear me apart. I think – Sybil, I think I’m going to have to walk away or ruin things for everyone. I – might move away again, start somewhere else. And I mean a long way away. I can’t watch her be taken in by him again.’

‘No. I don’t want you driven away from your home again!’ Sybil said.

‘What else can I do?’ Matt asked.

‘Play the long game, let events unfold, and trust her to do the right thing.’

‘Which might not involve me?’

Sybil’s pause told him everything. ‘Now that I cannot answer.’