Page 79

Over the past few years, without him ever acknowledging it to himself, Matt had thought – hoped, dreamed – that if he’d told Zennor how he really felt about her when they were young and before she married Trev, they would have stayed together.

Sybil scrolled through her phone while Matt brooded as he had done for days, months and years.

Even now he was back, vowing to keep out of Zennor’s hair, he’d imagined that if he’d only been honest about his true feelings then – and now – she would have said, Oh, that’s OK then. If I’d known you loved me and you feel the same now, then let’s get together and live happily ever after.

It stung – it stung like salt in a wound – that she’d thought they were so wrong for each other.

However, Zennor was bang on about one thing. He was jealous – Trev had once again barged in on something that meant so much to him. And it had happened at the very moment when he might, despite everything he’d said to Sybil, have begun to nurse the faintest spark of hope that he could possibly one day gain her forgiveness – and perhaps more.

He’d come back to St Ives convinced that the time was right to return to his roots, honour his grandad’s legacy, help Tyler and restore the Surf Club.

Matt had given himself so many good reasons for returning home, yet he knew that they all paled beside the real reason: the one he’d refused to admit to himself until now.

He’d come back for Zennor. To save Zennor and sweep her away like a knight in shining armour. After finally admitting that he was more in love with her than ever, he’d arrogantly assumed that if he only told her how he felt, she would run back into his arms.

A horn honked insistently from behind.

‘The cows have gone,’ Sybil said. ‘We need to move on.’

Matt drove off. Zennor didn’t need saving from anyone – least of all by him.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

The signs at the entrance to the festival didn’t undersell the event, Zennor thought while parking at the club.

SEA FEVER

Yo ho ho, land lubbers! It’s time to shiver your timbers

at this spectacular family celebration of the sea’s power and mystery

Featuring:

The Driftstones, The Shanty Singers, Sybil the Storyteller,

Fire Down Below, Circus Kernow, Tied in Knots, St Eia Youth Theatre

Interactive pirate show, shanty choir singing, rope skills workshops

Be a lifeguard – demos by St Eia Surf Lifesaving Club

Drinks sponsored by RumJar Coastal Spirits

Seafood Barbecue, Kernow Curry Hut, Trewin Tapas, Coffee and Cakes

Matt was one of the first people Zennor saw when she walked on to the beach in front of the Surf Club where Sea Fever was being held.

He was setting out cones on an area to the side of the temporary stage when Zennor walked down the steps to the sand. She hadn’t spoken to him since their row on this very beach after the club relaunch.

Watching him jog up and down with cones, her heart did a thousand somersaults and she was catapulted back to her youth. He was wearing red shorts and a yellow vest that showed off his toned arms and broad shoulders to the max. It was the physique of a strong thirty-something man, not a nineteen-year-old, and her stomach tightened with lust.

She shook herself.

He caught sight of her, so she went over. It would have looked churlish to ignore him and she was keen to get the greeting over with.

‘I didn’t know you would be here.’

Matt gave her a smile, yet his expression was wary. ‘I knew you would, but if it helps, I never intended to be here. Dawn was, and I quote, “absolutely desperate” for help with the lifeguarding demos. Most of the usual helpers are doing events around town.’