Chapter Twenty-Four
In his office at Veryan Developments, Matt had run out of ideas. He’d finished his last task at Kernow Entz a couple of days previously and it was obvious to him that Zennor was suspicious about his frequent visits to fix stuff.
His mind had also been on the scene he’d witnessed in the deli café the other day. He’d called in to discuss an extension to the kitchen with the owner – a friend of Tyler’s – but had struggled to keep his mind on the job and off the scene he’d witnessed through the serving hatch.
When he’d arrived, Zennor and Trev were crammed into a table in the corner. While the owner had answered a query from the staff, Matt had had every chance to watch the two of them – and hear Zennor laugh. At one point, he’d seen Trev touch her hand. She hadn’t seemed to mind.
He’d had a sickening feeling in his stomach, feeling as if the years since their marriage hadn’t happened. They looked – happy. Trev was clearly in his element, having Zennor to himself, but she seemed relaxed and smiley too. They’d left with two older women, whom Trev had clearly charmed.
The incident had bugged him ever since he’d left the café, affecting the rest of his work day. He supposed it was inevitable that Zennor and Trev would be in each other’s company now he’d bought the hotel, yet did she have to look so pleased about it?
His mind kept wandering to Zennor and their last conversation at Kernow Entz. She’d seemed to be trying to build bridges with him, yet also wary of getting too close – perhaps she was regretting their kiss.
Matt wasn’t sure. He knew they’d made big strides from that first spiky encounter at her office but she was still holding back from him. Maybe Trev’s reappearance was making her nervous about getting involved with anyone from her past.
With a curse at his toxic thoughts, he went back to totting up the full cost of the materials and labour he’d supplied for the Surf Club when an insistent rap at the door made him start in his seat.
‘For f—’ Matt bit back the expletive.
The CCTV revealed Trev standing at the outside door to the unit, scrolling through his mobile. Matt allowed himself a deep breath. The guy turning up unannounced could only mean trouble.
Matt opened the door, pasting on a vaguely welcoming smile. ‘Hi. This is a surprise.’
‘Is it?’ Trev grinned and pointed at the unit. ‘Decent set-up you have here,’ he commented, as if he had expected to find Matt running Del Boy’s market stall. While functional, the unit was the ideal base for Matt and his contractors to park vans and store equipment and materials.
Matt managed a brief smile. ‘It’s not as glamorous as the St Piran’s, but it does the job.’
‘Yes. You’ve certainly come a long way since the old days.’
Ignoring this comment, Matt kept Trev standing outside the unit. ‘How can I help you? Is this visit work-related or a social call?’
‘It was – a surprise to see you at the music night,’ Trev said, bypassing Matt’s question. ‘You were the last person I thought would turn up at an event of mine.’
‘I was being honest when I said I’d do anything to help the club.’
‘Yeah. I swung by this morning. You and your team have done a good job on the renovations, I’ll give you that. I’m impressed. Those changing rooms and toilets were well past their sell-by date. Wouldn’t have wanted my kids using them – if I had any, but you know what I mean.’
Matt wasn’t sure if Trev was alluding to any kids he might have had with Zennor so he ignored this comment too.
His reaction at seeing Trev so cosy with Zennor at the café was affecting his judgement.
‘Thanks, though I can’t take the credit, as you know.
Everyone has mucked in. I’m guessing you’re not here to compliment me on the quality of the urinals … ’
Trev curled his lip in a semblance of a smile. ‘No. Actually, I did want a word about something else.’
‘OK. If it’s work-related, I’m a bit busy right now but happy to make some time the week after next – once the Surf Club relaunch is over.’
‘It’s not work at all.’
‘In that case, I’m surprised you haven’t brought bouncers,’ Matt said.
Trev’s eyes darkened.
‘Trev. I’m joking.’ He sighed. ‘Come into the office. I’ve got five minutes.’
Trev curled his lip. ‘Generous of you.’
‘I’m like that. Want a seat?’ Matt indicated a battered office chair.
‘No, thanks. I’ve no intention of taking up more of your precious time than necessary.’
Suit yourself, Matt decided, determined not to show any sign of apprehension. Unpleasant vibes clung to the man like a lingering bad smell.
‘It’s about Zennor,’ Trev said, ‘which won’t surprise you.’
‘And about Roz aka Marielle?’ Matt asked, also remaining on his feet.
Trev’s eyes narrowed, instantly wary.
‘You hired her for that fundraiser. You must have known it was her,’ Matt said. ‘Zennor clearly didn’t.’
‘I didn’t know she was in that band. I’d seen one video on my phone and I didn’t recognise her.
Why would I? Do you honestly think I’d have booked them if I’d known?
And as for Zennor, why the hell would she realise who Marielle is?
She’s never met her and besides, nothing happened.
Certainly not what you accused me of in front of my wife and family and friends, anyway! ’
Matt’s skin prickled unpleasantly. Trev must be here to purely to wind him up. ‘I agreed to this conversation because I thought there was a slim chance it might be helpful for all of us. It seems not and so I think we should leave things here.’
‘OK. Let’s agree to disagree on the subject of what you claimed to have seen at the hotel. My sole intention is to make sure that Zennor isn’t hurt again.’ His voice dripped with intent. ‘By either of us.’
‘I’d never hurt Zennor,’ Matt snapped.
‘Neither would I. But you already did – we both already did. The question is, are we going to upset her again by dragging up dirt on me from the past?’
‘What makes you think I have any more dirt on you to drag up?’ Matt said. ‘Are you here to warn me off?’
Trev snorted. ‘I’m only here to make sure that we’re both acting in Zennor’s best interests. I know what I think is best for her. You have to make up your own mind.’
Matt opened the garden gate at Rosemergy late in the afternoon to be greeted by dramatic music and Sybil’s voice intoning, ‘Tonight, I’m going to tell you about the legend of the Black Dog of Penzance, the Helston Hell Hound, the Beast of Bodmin.
Whatever name that myth has given these terrifying creatures, you can guarantee one thing: they are always a harbinger of doom for anyone who has the misfortune to encounter them … ’
Matt sniffed and coughed. He thought he could see smoke curling around the rear of the cottage. Even though his mood was grim, the Hammer Horror-style music and melodramatic tone made him smile. Sybil was clearly in her element rehearsing for a show.
Wafting it away, he rounded the rear of the cottage just as the music reached a crescendo.
‘Hello!’ he called. ‘Is anybody there?’
Hearing no answer, he walked on to the terrace.
‘What the bloody hell?’ A furious Sybil appeared, brandishing a garden rake. ‘Matt. For God’s sake! You nearly gave me a heart attack!’
Laughing, Matt raised his hands in surrender. ‘Sorry, but you can put the weapon down? I’m not the bogey man or the Labrador of Launceston or whatever.’
‘The Hell Hound of Helston!’ Sybil barked. ‘And I hope you’re not a harbinger of doom.’
‘Well …’ Matt’s mood deflated. ‘I’m no happy-go-lucky sprite either. I need to talk.’
He’d found it impossible to keep his focus on work after Trev had turned up.
Although he hated to acknowledge it, the man was right about the consequences of ripping open old wounds.
If Matt started flinging accusations around, he would hurt Zennor again – and other people he loved dearly.
Was it possible that Zennor was interested in reviving her relationship with Trev?
He’d decided to see how Sybil was and gauge her reaction.
‘Oh dear, when people say they need to talk, it’s rarely about anything uplifting.’
Matt managed a wry smile. ‘I’m not an uplifting person.’
She rolled her eyes and patted the garden chair. ‘What’s the matter?’
‘Everything.’ Matt sat.
‘Ah, easy to fix then.’ She rested her cheek on her hand. ‘Come on, spill.’
‘Holding it together is killing me. I’m not sure I can do it.’
‘I presume this is about Trev and Zennor?’
‘Of course. I feel as if we’re making progress. We’re not at each other’s throats and sometimes I think she’s forgiven me and we’re growing closer—’ He hesitated, remembering that kiss again. Not that he would ever reveal that to Sybil. ‘Keeping all these secrets doesn’t feel right – for anyone.’
Sybil sat back with an exasperated sigh. ‘You always have to save people, Matt. That’s your problem. You can’t. Sometimes you must let them make their own mistakes.’
He leaned forward. ‘But what if it’s too late to stop them walking off a cliff?’
‘I suppose it depends on the cliff and how badly they want to walk off it. And,’ Sybil added sadly, ‘you have to be absolutely certain that walking off the cliff will do them harm.’
‘How could it possibly not where Trev’s concerned?’
Sybil gave a brief, sad smile. ‘Then you need to trust her to make the right decision. Her own decision. But you know that by now, don’t you?’
He shook his head in frustration. ‘I’m not sure about anything these days.’
Sybil blew out a breath. ‘Then you’ve definitely come a long way since your youth.’
‘Yeah.’ Matt was about to reveal that Trev had visited him but stopped himself.
‘Do you honestly believe there’s a realistic prospect of Zennor getting back with Trev?’ Sybil asked, sounding incredulous.
‘No. No … I don’t know. I’d have ruled it out at one time but lately, she thinks he’s reformed. She thinks he’s a “new man”.’ He bracketed the words with a sneer. ‘I can’t say she wouldn’t and that’s what’s eating me up.’
‘And do you think there’s a realistic chance of her getting back with you?’
He scoffed. ‘No, no … but I want her to and – sometimes, lately, I have begun to think that we might have a chance. Especially if Trev hadn’t come back on the scene.’
‘Why would he affect your chances?’
‘Because he reminds her of what happened the last time the two of us got involved in her life and it scares her. She doesn’t want to be hurt again and yet …’ Matt was drawn back to that scene in the café.
‘And yet what?’ Sybil said.
‘I don’t know.’
She leaned in and patted his arm. ‘I can’t say what’s going to happen but I know you still harbour a real hope where Zennor’s concerned. That’s really what’s eating you up, isn’t it?’
Matt nodded slowly, his heart sinking. ‘And we both know it’s the hope that kills you.’