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‘Yes,’ she said breathily. ‘Exactly there.’

‘I wonder what I ought to do about it …’

Maybe you should kiss it away … Matt didn’t say those words, yet they galloped through Zennor’s mind anyway.

Matt didn’t have to say anything. All he had to do was look into her eyes and Zennor knew he wanted to kiss her too. They were so close that, in a heartbeat, their mouths would meet and they’d be kissing in full view of everyone at the club …

The club!

Heat flew to her face and she moved a metre away, frantically unscrewing the top of her water bottle.

‘You’d – um – better go and wash it off,’ she mumbled. ‘Or I can – er – give you water on a tissue.’

His shoulders slumped. ‘Yeah, but frankly, I don’t care how I look.’

She downed a gulp of water, hoping it would cool her down. They were only a few paces from other people – people they knew. She’d touched him and he’d touched her and they were on the cliff edge of actually being in each other’s arms.

‘I’d better grab something to eat,’ she said quickly, eager to put distance between them. ‘I’m off to check out a potential client shortly and I can’t be late. It’s a band. They’re called the Driftstones.’ Zennor knew she was babbling.

Matt sipped his beer and then shook his head. ‘The Driftstones?’ he said, sounding as if he couldn’t care less. ‘Nope. Name doesn’t ring a bell but I’m not into the music scene these days.’

‘Well, they might not be any good, but please keep that to yourself in case we don’t sign them.’

‘Like I said, the music scene’s of no interest to me these days.’ He checked his watch. ‘I’d better get back to the clubhouse and help clear away. It’s time everyone packed up. Catch you later, maybe?’

‘Hmm …’ Zennor wasn’t sure who was keenest to get away from the other. All she knew was that she’d let her guard down and wanted to touch him – had touched him and then got cold feet. It was hardly surprising he was confused. It wasn’t fair to flirt with him when the last thing she wanted was to start up a relationship.

Her life was complicated enough with the season in full swing and Trev back in town. He’d already messaged her asking if Kernow Entz might be interested in supplying some artists for the hotel events programme.

Zennor stayed only long enough to grab a burger and drink before a hasty wash and change in the new locker rooms. The ladies’ had already been refitted with new tiles and showers. She was stunned by the transformation. The walls still needed a lick of paint but gone were the broken basins, chipped tiles and showers that produced, at best, a dribble of lukewarm water. In their place were smart, modern facilities which were exactly what you needed when you came off the water cold, sandy and salty. There was underfloor heating for the winter, too, which meant training could continue all year round.

She had to hand it to Matt and his team: they’d done a cracking job. Harry would have been gobsmacked and very proud. Zennor had a lump in her throat just thinking about Harry’s reaction so she could only imagine how Matt felt. It had been an emotional day – in more ways than either of them had expected.

He’d always had good intentions – that was part of the problem. He just didn’t know when to let people go their own way.

She caught her breath. Was time softening the way she felt about him? It certainly hadn’t dimmed her physical attraction to him in any way, judging by her reaction to him at the club earlier.

All she knew was that every time she thought they could settle into being friends, she’d no idea how they could ever reach that point.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

On Monday morning, Roo hurried in through the rear office door and immediately flopped down in her chair with a dramatic sigh.

‘I bloody hate the school run. Almost late again, Freddie was moaning, and I’d forgotten Sierra’s lunchbox so we had to call at that rip-off deli for healthy stuff. I can’t wait for the holidays.’

Zennor grimaced in sympathy. ‘Sounds like a nightmare. How is Freddie?’

‘He’s OK. He thinks he’s on the mend and can start bowling but his doctor says absolutely not. So I bailed from the painting party and we all went for a run around and a burger.’

‘Poor boy. It must be gutting to sit on the sidelines.’

‘It’s not for much longer – hopefully – and I can’t police what he’s up to when he’s in the playground.’ Roo shuddered. ‘Don’t even want to think about it. Now, I’m going to make us a drink in our fantastic new kitchenette and then I want to hear all about the painting party and the bands. How were they?’

Zennor’s spirits rose instantly; she loved spotting and nurturing new talent and was always excited to find it. ‘Actually, good. The first lot are older and their repertoire is mainly swing and the Great American Songbook. We don’t have anything quite like them on the books and they had a great rapport with the audience. The lead guy has a good line of banter and I think they’d be ideal for the more mature crowd at parties, quirky stuff and vintage festivals.’

‘OK, let’s sign them up!’ Roo said. ‘What about the function band you saw at White Rocks – Driftwhatsit?’

‘The Driftstones.’ Zennor smiled. ‘I’d expected just another average five-piece covers band but they were a cut above. A great repertoire, lots of energy – they’d suit a broad age group plus the female vocalist, Marielle, is excellent. She could go solo if she wanted. It was hard to believe that this was only their first wedding. They’ll go down a storm at the big hotels – New Year’s Eve type stuff – and corporate events.’