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‘We all benefit from stepping out of our comfort zones … and I do hope you’ll consider repeating the experience. Your skills would make a great addition to the training team. You used to enjoy helping the kids when you were young. Younger,’ she corrected.

‘I – Can I have a think about it?’ he asked, not wanting to hint at a thought that had niggled at him since he’d left Sybil at Rosemergy: that he might move away from St Ives again.

‘Of course. There’s absolutely no pressure. You’ve already done more than enough for this club. Your Harry would have been so proud of you.’ She touched his arm, inducing a rush of emotions in Matt that he struggled to hide.

It was pride in the club, along with a wave of grief for the death of his grandad and the loss of Zennor. He couldn’t see a way of healing that rift, not yet – and perhaps he shouldn’t try.

‘Thanks, Dawn.’

After Dawn had left, Matt threw himself into the rest of the clearing-up. The rain had blown over and the clouds parted just as he dumped the final bag of cans and bottles in the bins. He was soaked but then the sun came out and, with perfect timing, a soft-top Merc glided into the car park.

By its gleaming paintwork and shiny alloys, it had obviously just been valeted. In stone chinos and a white shirt, Trev matched his immaculate sports car. In contrast, Matt was sweaty and dusty with a possible fragrance of eau de bin.

He thought of marching off because the man was making a beeline for him, probably intent on provoking him. Then anger boiled up and he decided to stand his ground.

Trev curled his lip. ‘Doing good deeds again?’

Mat refused to bite. ‘The place needed a clear-up. Everyone’s been too busy mopping up after the festival until today.’

‘Yes. That was a terrible business.’ He frowned in mock sincerity. ‘How’s Sybil doing?’

‘On the mend. She’s a strong woman.’

Trev bared his teeth in a kind of smile. ‘She certainly is a character.’

‘She is. Sorry, I can’t hang around chatting. I’ve finished here and I’ve a work appointment in St Just.’

‘Don’t worry, I’ve no plans to detain you. I was only going to ask if you’d seen Zennor. I assumed you and she would be spending a lot of time together at the hospital and with Sybil.’

So that was Trev’s game. He was angling to find out if Zennor had discovered the truth yet. Matt was not going to help him one bit.

‘She’s fine. She’s a strong woman too but I haven’t seen her since we gave Sybil a lift home from hospital yesterday.’

‘Oh? Hmm. Maybe I should pay her a visit. Sybil too. Take some flowers.’

Matt’s anger bubbled up. If Trev went anywhere near Sybil, he would be round there in a flash to make sure he got a very clear message to keep away. Then he realised that Sybil and Zennor were perfectly capable of dealing with Trev themselves. It wasn’t his privilege to tell Trev that Zennor knew what a manipulative shit he was.

The thought made Matt smile and he had the satisfaction of seeing a momentary flicker of confusion in Trev’s eyes.

‘The best thing we can do for Zennor is give her some space. I doubt she wants to see either of us.’

‘She may not want to see you.’ There was a gleam of triumph in Trev’s eyes that sickened Matt. ‘But she has messaged me.’

Matt shrugged. ‘I’m not her keeper. She makes her own decisions.’

‘She does. In fact, she’s asked to meet me to talk things through, face to face. I think she’s finally beginning to realise what she’s been missing.’

With a smirk, Trev left Matt by the bins.

Matt watched him swagger off to the clubhouse and murmured under his breath, ‘Good luck with that.’

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

‘Should you be in work?’ Roo asked Zennor in the office that same Monday morning.

‘I absolutely should be in work.’

With folded arms, Roo frowned down at her. ‘I thought you’d need a couple of days off. That fire was a hell of a shock and you were trying to play the heroine.’