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.’
‘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.’