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‘Not in the town itself. I’ve bought a flat in Hayle, not that I spend much time in it. I’m always out working …’

‘Hayle?’ The nearby estuary town was far too close for comfort. ‘Nice for you, but I, um, I’m still not sure what your business has to do with me – and Roo,’ she added, trying to moderate her tone. No matter how taken aback she was by Matt’s reappearance, she regretted her initial hostility and didn’t want to come across as childish. It would be better if she could feign a polite level of indifference and get rid of him as quickly as possible, along with the bittersweet memories he’d brought with him.

‘Well …’ The slight hesitation and almost imperceptible lick of the lips made Zennor’s antennae twitch. ‘You know I always liked working with my hands and, as I mentioned, I now specialise in acquiring and managing commercial property …’

Her skin prickled. ‘No. No, you don’t mean …’

‘If you’re referring to this place,’ Matt said, waving his hand around, ‘then yes, I have bought it. I signed the contract with Mikey Sawyer yesterday. This building is now my responsibility.’

Her gasp was impossible to suppress. Surely she’d misheard. ‘But how?’

‘Mikey needed a buyer,’ he said, his gaze shifting from Zennor to the window.

‘But why – why this building?’ Zennor blurted out. ‘You knew. You knew it was my – our – business.’

He seemed fixated by a seagull staring in through the rotting window frame. He certainly seemed unable to look her in the eye.

Finally, he swung round, arms folded across his chest defensively. ‘Yes, I knew.’

‘But why didn’t you tell us what you intended to do before you actually did it? You could have consulted us. Why didn’t Mikey warn us?’

‘Because I asked him to keep the deal discreet. He’s been having some financial difficulties and he asked me if I’d consider taking the place on.’

Zennor knew that Mikey had been avoiding doing repairs for a long time and now understood why – he must be struggling. Even so, she was incredulous. ‘Mikey really wanted you to do that?’

‘Yes, and I wanted to help him. His son, Tyler, is a good mate of mine and he’s been worried about the stress on his dad.’ Matt nodded at the window. ‘You must have noticed the state of the place. It’s falling apart and it doesn’t even meet current building standards or fire regs.’

‘We’d noticed …’ Zennor shot back, hearing the kettle come to the boil in the kitchenette and longing for Roo to come back in.

‘Then you must have suspected Mikey was struggling to look after the property.’ Matt softened his voice. ‘Tyler says he’s been embarrassed and worried about the state of the building to the point of being ill. When I suggested I take it on, Mikey was relieved to get the place off his hands. He actually told me that you and Roo deserved a better landlord who could bring the place up to scratch. It needs to meet the requirements of a modern premises and that can only help your image and attract more business.’

‘So, have you come here to tell me you’re hiking the rent because we can charge more for having a fancy office?’ She couldn’t help herself. So many shocks piling one on another had stripped her manners clean away. Matt was bringing out all her buried hurt and resentment.

‘Actually, I’m offering you the place on the same terms, albeit that I want to make a few improvements.’

‘Improvements?’ she echoed.

‘A rewire. New kitchen area. Fix the leaky roof. Make it fire safe. It’s all in the contract. Up to you if you sign or move.’ He glanced at the splintered window frame and then back at her. He picked up his car keys. ‘For now, I’m sure you want to think it over but I’d appreciate a swift reply.’

At that moment, Roo ventured in with a tray and three mugs.

‘Thanks, Roo.’ Matt treated her to the warm smile that had once ignited a glow in Zennor’s heart. ‘I’m afraid I’m already running late for another appointment. My legal team has emailed all the details of the new tenancy agreements and sent a copy in the post. When you’ve had a chance for a good look through – and if you’re happy—’

Zennor couldn’t suppress a huff.

‘If you’re in agreement and want to continue the tenancy, let my team know. Now, I really have to go.’

‘Thanks,’ Roo said.

Matt flashed a brief but friendly smile at her. ‘You’re welcome.’

He left by the front door, quickly swallowed up by the crowds on the Wharf.

After a moment of silence during which she wondered whether Matt Veryan waltzing back into her life, announcing he owned her business premises and declaring he had a direct effect on its future had been a nightmare, Zennor clenched her fists and let out a strangled scream of frustration.

‘Gah! Well, that’s just brilliant, isn’t it? Typical Matt. Thinks he’s right. He hasn’t changed a bit.’

Roo leaned back in her chair, hands cupped around her mug. ‘Wow, why don’t you say what you really feel.’