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‘Sorry about the misunderstanding. I did tell Chad we were exes,’ Trev said.

Zennor watched him holding forth to a group of club members by the bar. ‘It’s OK. I don’t think he listens to much of what anyone else says.’

‘Yeah. Maybe he’s a bit of an egotist but he is a good contact to have. RumJar have links with so many venues across the southwest – nationally too. He could be a great connection for your agency if you’re planning to expand beyond the area.’

‘Thanks, but we’re still trying to get established in Cornwall,’ Zennor said. ‘We do have plans but we’re not ready yet. I think Chad would probably have expectations that we wouldn’t be able to meet.’ And wouldn’t want to, Zennor thought.

‘Oh, come on, you know you could make the agency huge if you wanted. Don’t confine your ambitions to our little corner of the world.’

Zennor’s patience was wearing thin. ‘But you returned, Trev. You said that you came back here yourself because your perspective had shifted after losing your mum.’

‘Yeah.’ He shrugged. ‘I did – but that’s because the area had other attractions …’ He looked at her and smiled. ‘You look stunning today, Zen. You always do but there’s something about you that – I don’t know – has caught the light.’ He smiled. ‘Look, I only introduced you to Chad because I thought he might be useful. It’s your decision how you run your business. I’m not trying to interfere. I promise.’

‘Thanks for the introduction. I’ll keep it in mind. Now I had better get down to the stage. I can see the jugglers having a warm-up and the band have arrived. I want a quick chat before they go on.’

‘Wait just a moment. I’ve been meaning to tell you something …’

‘Is it about the youth theatre?’

‘Yes, how did you know? I – Has Paul told you?’ He groaned. ‘I asked him not to share it with anyone until I’d had time to tell you.’

‘Please don’t blame him. He accidentally let it slip when I bumped into him in town yesterday.’

‘Jeez.’ Trev snorted. ‘That man couldn’t keep a secret to save his life. I wanted it to be a surprise. I hope you approve?’

‘I – It’s very generous though you don’t need my approval.’

‘Maybe not but I’d still like to have it. I know that theatre is very dear to your heart and I’ve got some money tucked away from Mum’s inheritance. After we spoke at the Minack, I thought: What better way to spend it?’

‘It – I think it’s a great idea but it feels like a big responsibility to influence what you do with your money. I hope you’d have done it without my input.’

He frowned. ‘Being honest, it probably wouldn’t have occurred to me but you sowed the seed in my mind. I thought it would make you happy.’

‘It does – it’s fantastic for the theatre and I am glad you’ve done it. I’m not sure I should take any of the credit,’ she said, keeping things light while wanting the conversation to end.

He shook his head, smiling down at her indulgently. She was transported back to that moment in the wedding pavilion in their first moments of married life, as if the past five years had never happened.

‘Oh, Zennor, Zennor. You might be a sophisticated, successful businesswoman but some things never change. You never did think enough of yourself. Of course you have influence. People would do anything you wanted. But it’s nice you still don’t realise that.’ He lifted his hand to her cheek but Zennor moved away with a forced smile. ‘You’re still the girl I fell in love with.’

‘Listen,’ she said, ‘that’s the band warming up and you can see the jugglers lighting up behind the stage. I really have to go. I can’t miss this.’

Trev glanced at the stage and curled his lip. ‘OK, but it would be a lot more fun to stay up here and chat. Another time, after all this’ – he waved his hand dismissively at the festival – ‘is over. There are things I want to talk to you about. I mean it.’

‘I have to go.’

She hurried away, hoping he wouldn’t follow. First Paul and now Chad thought she and Trev were back together.

Ahead, Matt was rinsing out kids’ wetsuits and hanging them on a rail, not leaving someone else to tidy up. He was happy to get stuck in and do all the tedious jobs, the ones that weren’t glamorous or fun.

She thought of Matt helping the children – not to impress her or make her feel grateful but because he genuinely cared. He couldn’t not help people, even when that help went too far.

Zennor had to stop at the bottom of the steps and catch her breath. A powerful rush of emotion surged through her, so strong it almost made her stumble.

And she knew in an instant what the feeling was. There was no denying it: it was love with all the terrifying and wonderful consequences that brought.

She would have to tell Trev how she felt – or didn’t. He was clearly hoping to get back with her and she knew that could never be. There would be no second chances for them.

That was a devastating thought but the other side of the coin was even more terrifying: she was in love with Matt, had always been, and he was in love with her.