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‘Matt!’ Vince sounded desperate.

‘See you around some time then?’ Zennor said, her spirits plummeting at the prospect of Matt leaving.

‘Yeah. I have to go. Enjoy the rest of your day.’

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

The wind had freshened so Zennor untied her hoodie from her waist and pulled it on. She shivered at the way she’d just been dismissed with a startling finality.

It had been a day of memories resurfacing and just as Zennor was trying to come to terms with her reaction, another one was triggered.

When she walked on to the Surf Club terrace, Trev was by the new glass balcony chatting to a shaven-headed guy in tight white trousers, a black silk shirt and Ray-Bans.

Trev had a glass of wine in his hand and was leaning towards the guy, giving him the full star treatment. At one point, Trev even guffawed and clapped him on the back.

Zennor felt as if a curtain had been lifted to reveal the past: the old Trev, in his element, when steering a deal. The guy was positively basking in the attention and it was no wonder – Trev was an imposing figure and he had never looked more handsome. People were bound to be drawn to him, and so his explanation for the waitress was perfectly feasible … even so, Zennor had been troubled by it ever since he’d told her.

She could have walked away but she wanted to see if Trev would mention the youth theatre donation so she approached them, although her heart was beating faster than she liked.

He smiled broadly when he saw her. ‘Zennor, your ears must be burning. We were just talking about you.’

‘Why’s that then?’ Zennor asked lightly, accepting his kiss on the cheek.

‘I was telling Chad here about Kernow Entz and how you’re brilliant at finding performers for events. Chad is the genius behind RumJar.’

Chad shook her hand, which mercifully was a brief, if sweaty, handshake.

‘Good to meet you, Chad.’ Zennor vaguely recognised Chad Reynolds from a Cornish lifestyle mag feature earlier in the year. RumJar sponsored a few local events at which her clients were involved, though she’d never met him before.

‘I wouldn’t say I’m a genius.’ Chad grinned, showing a set of teeth so bright they could have illuminated the beach stage without need for a lighting rig.

‘And I expect Trev has exaggerated our brilliance?’ Zennor said, torn between bigging up her company and being wary of what Trev might have told this Chad.

‘So, you’re the famous Zennor?’ Chad looked her up and down. He had a tan so deep it could only have come courtesy of a bottle or sunbed. ‘Trev’s other half?’

Zennor’s heart sank. Even though she was used to saying she was divorced, it was beyond awkward to have to correct this man in Trev’s presence.

‘Gosh, I’m definitely not famous and actually, Trev and I are divorced.’

‘I did say my ex-wife,’ Trev said lightly and she felt his fingers brush the small of her back.

‘You could have fooled me, the way Trev goes on about you. Still carrying a torch for her, eh, Trev?’

‘Who wouldn’t?’ Trev said. ‘And Zennor and I have recently reconnected since I moved back to the area.’

‘Reconnected?’ Chad smirked. ‘That’s one way of putting it, I guess.’

‘Only in a business sense,’ Zennor said, more brusquely than she’d meant. ‘I’ve been providing some clients for the St Piran’s Spa.’

‘OK …’ Chad touched the side of his nose, as if he were privy to a great secret.

‘We may be exes, but we are on good terms,’ Trev said. ‘No point being any other way, is there, Zen?’

Even though she sensed Trev was looking for affirmation, Zennor could hardly disagree. ‘No,’ she said with a smile.

Chad stayed chatting for a few minutes and was more interested in bigging up his business than listening to anyone else, which suited Zennor fine. She didn’t want to have to speak to him anyway. With her jaw aching from a polite smile, it was a relief when he was claimed by someone else wanting to schmooze with him.

Her shoulders slumped when he was out of earshot.