Chapter Forty-Three
Nine months later: White Rocks Boutique Hotel
‘And the award for “Best Newcomer” in the Band category of Shakey’s Cider Cornish Live Music Awards goes to …’ Shilpa seemed to take an age to remove the card from the gold envelope.
It was May and the start of the new events season. So many of Zennor’s friends and associates were at the awards, including Paul, whose award for outstanding contribution to Cornish music stood on the table in front of him and his partner.
Fumbling with the envelope, Shilpa gave a wry grin. ‘Sorry, folks … Oh …’
‘I wish she’d get on with it. This isn’t the Strictly final, for God’s sake …’ Roo whispered to Zennor as the pause lengthened to comic proportions.
Finally, Shilpa held the card aloft. ‘It’s the Driftstones!’
The room erupted in applause and cheers.
‘Whoop!’
‘Way to go!’
Zennor and Roo rose to their feet, alongside the Driftstones’ members’ families, who were sharing a table in the White Rocks function room.
The band members filed on to the stage, grinning madly and led by Marielle, who looked stunned.
Matt stood too. He was seated at the adjacent table with his mates from the Fishermen’s Choir, who’d been nominated in the Cornish Traditional Vocal category.
He caught her eye and smiled, looking impossibly handsome in a velvet jacket the colour of the night sky.
Every time she looked at him, her heart still fluttered.
They’d had their moments, as all couples did, and life would surely throw more in their way, but after all they’d been through, she knew that they could withstand the fiercest of storms.
Did Matt know how she felt, watching him laughing with his mates, seeing him happier than she had ever known him – and feeling that, finally, she had reached a place in her life where she was fulfilled and with the person she truly loved?
With the awards over, and a break before the band came on stage, Zennor left him enjoying the moment with his friends at the bar. She had the rest of her life to spend with him.
At that thought, her heart seemed to skip a beat and she felt the need to be alone, if only for a few moments, to appreciate how far they’d come since the start of the previous summer.
She headed outside to the terrace, gazing out at the sunset, and thanked her stars over and over for the way her year and life had turned out.
She could barely believe that she and Matt would be going home to their new house overlooking the sea. He’d sold his flat and Zennor was renting hers out, unable to bear the thought of parting with the home that had been her first as a single woman.
She wasn’t alone for long. At the other end of the terrace, Marielle emerged and was taking a few breaths before her set. Like Zennor, she was probably trying to come to terms with her recent success.
Zennor made her decision and went up to her. ‘Congratulations!’
Marielle’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. ‘Oh … thank you. I can’t believe it.’
‘Believe it,’ Zennor replied. ‘Enjoy every moment.’
‘Thanks.’ Marielle smiled but then swallowed and shook her head. ‘Zennor, I can’t go on like this. I can’t …’
‘It’s normal to be nervous and feel overwhelmed when your life changes and you finally get your dream. It takes time to come to terms with it,’ Zennor reassured her.
‘No, it’s not that. I want to thank you for hiring me and giving me – the band – a chance. It’s down to you that we got our big break. I know this is hollow and I should have told you before – but I’m telling you now.’
‘Telling me what?’ Zennor felt the cold for the first time that evening.
‘There’s something that’s been bothering me.
It’s been on my conscience for a long time.
Now that Trev has moved away and you are so happy with Matt …
who, for what it’s worth, is ten times the man that Trev is …
and even if I know this might be the end of our professional relationship, I have to tell you while I have the courage.
I was at your wedding. Well, not at it. I was working in another part of the hotel, but I saw Trev—’
Zennor’s heart beat a little faster but she steadied herself. ‘You’re the waitress who Trev was kissing?’
‘Yes. I am so sorry. I have regretted it for so long – getting involved with him and not being honest with you.’ Marielle seemed on the verge of tears.
Zennor paused before replying. ‘Thanks for telling me now. If it’s any consolation to you, I did know.’
Marielle’s eyes widened. ‘Did Trev tell you?’
‘No. Matt did, a while ago. I was – a bit shocked and disappointed, but to be honest, I also felt sorry for you.’
‘For me?’
‘Yes, and for any woman who gets entangled with a narcissist like Trev. I assume it wasn’t a happy relationship.’
She shook her head emphatically. ‘No. It was – awful. I was mad on him. I thought he loved me and it made me do things I’ve regretted ever since.
We had a fling well before you came on the scene but Trev broke it off pretty brutally when he met you.
It was clear he was crazy about you and I was gutted.
That’s no excuse for what happened at your wedding, though.
I – am so ashamed. When he paid me attention, I was flattered that he still liked me.
’ She closed her eyes in horror. ‘Even on his wedding day. I suppose I was jealous but I have regretted it ever since, especially when you have been so amazing and so kind. I just had to get it off my chest.’
Zennor waited to feel angry or hurt and yet she only felt sad – for Marielle, but not herself. ‘I’m glad you told me.’
‘Are you? For what it’s worth, I’m so happy for you and Matt, genuinely. Can you ever forgive me?’
‘I already have. I know Trev better now and … well, there’s no point in ruining our connection over something that’s consigned to history.’
‘Thank you. I am so grateful.’
‘No need. Actually, since you’re out here, I want to ask you something else. I’d like to hire you for a wedding.’
‘You would?’ Marielle gasped in astonishment. ‘No way! Whose is it?’
‘I’ll let you know …’ Zennor smiled. ‘When I’ve asked him.’