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Smoke obscured the stage and in moments it was transformed into a pirate ship, with kids swarming around Sybil, climbing rigging, swabbing decks, and singing ‘It’s A Pirate’s Life For Me!’

Although it was all hokum, Sybil seemed to be in her element, thank goodness, and Zennor looked forward to catching up with her after the show.

Sybil’s plea to be kind to Matt was still ringing in her ears. He was Sybil’s godson and she was bound to take his side but there was an element of desperation in it. Maybe she would ask Sybil what she meant at some point, but not today.

After the show ended, the lifesaving demo drills were in full swing.

The kids and teens raced into the sea and swam round a buoy before running back up the beach to do CPR on dummies. Others were showing the watching crowds how they could paddle out into the surf using their boards to rescue people.

Matt was on the beach, wearing a wetsuit and rash vest and blowing a whistle.

He was smiling and energised.

The audience were then invited to take part in the land drills if they wanted to. Zennor was well aware that Matt had never been a big surfer. He was only really interested in so far as he could paddle the board in a rescue, although he was always competitive in the swimming races.

About twenty children came forward – or were urged forward by parents – to try ‘paddling’ the boards on land and then on the water. Some were super keen and confident but a few were very shy, even as they were helped into wetsuits by volunteers.

Zennor shuffled closer, realising Matt was too intent on helping the children to notice her standing a few feet from him.

Crouching low on the sand, he spoke to a little boy of about seven in a wetsuit too big for his skinny frame and a slightly older girl who seemed hell-bent on trying to shrink herself as small as possible.

‘Would you like a go?’ Matt was asking them both. ‘I can find you a board each. It’s fun and you’re on holiday so why not take the chance to have a go at something you can’t do at home? Who knows, you might want to be a lifeguard one day.’

A fist-sized lump of emotion settled in Zennor’s throat. He was so patient and kind to the kids, coaxing them out of their shells.

Briefly, he caught sight of Zennor and she gave him an encouraging smile. He immediately refocused on the children and under his gentle encouragement, both of them eventually tried out paddling the board on the sand and ended up laughing at jokes Zennor couldn’t hear.

Matt’s skills with the children made her think about her love for teaching and how she wanted to carve out some time from Kernow Entz to lend a hand at the theatre. And Matt really should make time to help out at the club: she’d never seen him smile more than today. At least, not since they were young.

Half an hour later, a group of the watching children were confident enough to have a go at paddling out their boards to shallow water. They emerged from the surf tent in wetsuits and rash vests. Matt was encouraging the two shy kids who were now laughing and squealing with excitement.

‘I never thought I’d see our Olivia on a surfboard,’ the girl’s mother, standing next to Zennor, said. ‘She loves swimming in the pool at home but she’s always been a bit scared of the waves. I wish we lived down here, not so far from the sea.’

‘She could join a club at home,’ Zennor said. ‘When she’s older, there are lifeguarding courses all over the UK.’

‘I’ll look into it. She struggles with her confidence at school sometimes but she seems to be in her element here.’

‘She’s a natural,’ Zennor said, watching the little girl paddle out into the gentle waves with Matt watching over her like a hawk.

‘That’s it! Paddle, paddle, paddle!’ he called, then applauded. ‘Good work! Well done!’

Tears stung her eyes. She didn’t know why she wanted to cry. Was it happiness at seeing the kids blossom under his guidance? Or seeing Matt so at home? Or was it grief at what she’d lost – her marriage, Trev, Matt, her father?

When the session ended, she spoke to him. ‘That looked like fun. Exhausting but fun.’

‘It was. I’m knackered.’ He gave a wry smile.

‘I thought you were going to stay on the sidelines.’

‘I intended to but that’s not how it worked out. The kids were having so much fun and some of them needed a little extra support. I couldn’t let them down.’

‘Hey, Matt!’ Vince jogged up. ‘Can you come and help set up for the canoe demo?’

‘Sure,’ he called back.

‘Catch you later?’ Zennor said without knowing why she’d even said it. ‘If you’re staying for the band? It’s the Driftstones.’

‘I don’t know,’ Matt said with a wary look. ‘I wasn’t thinking of hanging around. I’ll probably head home after I’m done here.’