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‘I – realise that,’ Zennor said, glancing at Matt, who seemed in agony. She turned back to Sybil. ‘But I wish you had told me a long time ago. I’d have respected your honesty. I might have been angry and upset at first, but I’d have come round. I’d have—’ Zennor stopped, unable to bring herself to say the words ‘forgiven you’.

Sybil shook her head sadly. ‘Oh, my lovely, I don’t think you would have. I love you and I have enjoyed having you as my surrogate niece. I didn’t want to lose you – you looked up to me and I flattered myself that I nurtured your creativity, that this was a place you could say what you really felt.’

‘I did. I did.’ The tremor Zennor felt in her heart fed into her voice. Her words were a cry of anguish, of loss – loss of the person she’d considered to be a perfect model of independent womanhood. ‘Is there anyone around here who isn’t a liar? Who wouldn’t lie to save themselves?’ She knew her accusations were wild but they came from the tempest of anger, shock and hurt that had been unleashed.

‘It’s not that simple. People aren’t perfect but don’t blame Matt. He’s done nothing but want to protect me – and you!’ Sybil leaned forward, arms outstretched. ‘Oh, lovely. I can’t bear this. I’m sorry. Please, Zennor.’

Zennor flinched away from the embrace. ‘No. I’m sorry too but I can’t do this. I need time.’ She stumbled out of the garden.

‘Please. Wait.’ Matt ran after her. ‘I can’t let Sybil take all the blame for this. I can’t even let Trev because I did keep everything back. I could have shared it with you at any time. I tried – but not in the right way and then I didn’t think it was my place. I thought – hoped – you might work it out for yourself.’ He thrust his fingers through his hair. ‘I have made some shit decisions in my life. I keep getting it wrong but I do love you. I know you feel the same. Please can we work this out somehow?’

Zennor got in the car. ‘It’s not your fault that my dad and Sybil had an affair but I can’t handle the fact you kept it a secret from me for so long.’ She gripped the wheel until her knuckles whitened. ‘I’m sorry, Matt. I’m not in any kind of place to work anything out. I just need to be alone.’

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

Matt trudged to the bins behind the Surf Club with several stinking bags of rubbish. Gulls screamed above him, hoping he’d spill one so they could pounce.

Tyler had turned up, along with Vince and a dozen other members, braving the mizzle blowing in off the sea. In the aftermath of the fire, everyone had devoted their time and energy to helping clear up the beach and now, two days later, the mess at the club was still being sorted.

He threw the bags in the bin, slammed the lids, and was about to return for more when he caught sight of the beach. The sand was pristine again, free of any marks of the fire – unlike the bittersweet memory that was seared across his heart.

She loved him.

Zennor had opened her heart and offered him everything he’d ever wanted, gift-wrapped with a bow, while fireworks had exploded all around.

It was the gift he’d longed for, fought for – and couldn’t take.

He hadn’t been able to erase the memory of her expression as she’d rushed away from Rosemergy yesterday – the disappointment and sheer desperation to get away from him.

How could she love him now that she knew the lies he’d told to protect Sybil – and, he’d mistakenly thought, Hayden’s reputation? He wasn’t sure he would even change that decision if he had his time again so how did that qualify him for a life with Zennor, who had already endured so much deception and dishonesty?

The mizzle wet his face, and yet he wasn’t sure the moisture on his cheeks was entirely weather-related. He shook himself as Dawn appeared, wearing a yellow mac and sou’wester that brought the briefest of smiles to his face.

‘Matt. How are you? I know you were in the thick of that terrible fire. How’s Zennor? I’ve sent some flowers to Sybil and I’m going round to see her later. I had to fit in with her busy schedule of her swimming group and a load of actors. She’s a popular lady.’

‘Yeah, she is. I’m fine and so is Zennor, I think. I saw her yesterday.’

‘Oh? I hear you carried her away from the tent. You total hero!’

‘I don’t think she thinks so,’ he muttered, cringing with embarrassment. ‘It was for her own safety. She’d have run right into the fire if I hadn’t. She’s the real hero, risking her life to find Sybil.’

‘You two,’ Dawn said, shaking her head, ‘are as bad as each other.’

Matt wasn’t sure what she meant but luckily she moved on. ‘Have you heard any more about how it started? It seems obvious those fire jugglers were involved.’

‘I honestly don’t know …’

‘Hmm.’ Dawn gazed out over the beach. ‘Anyway, at least no one was badly hurt and Sybil seems to be on the mend. Thanks for coming to clear up, especially in this horrible weather. And thanks for helping out with the children’s demos and tryouts. Vince told me you were brilliant.’

Matt snorted. ‘I don’t know about brilliant. I’m very rusty with this stuff but I was happy to help.’

‘He said you seemed to be enjoying yourself.’

Matt hesitated, guessing where the conversation was heading but unable to lie to Dawn. ‘Yeah. I did. More importantly, the kids seemed to have a good time.’

‘We already have several new recruits for the Nippers programme whose parents mentioned you as being a big factor in them wanting to join the club.’ Dawn’s eyes twinkled. She really did know how to press people’s buttons.

Matt smiled. ‘That’s good to know but I’m sure I had nothing to do with it. Most kids only need a little encouragement to try something new and, as you know, once you get out into the water, you’re hooked.’