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She waited for the flicker of alarm in his eyes but instead he smiled. ‘That was kind of you. You’ve always been good to her, considering she’s no blood relation.’

‘She doesn’t have to be related for me to care about her. And I do care about her … and for your information, she’s OK, physically anyway. She’s on the mend from the smoke inhalation and she will recover because she’s strong.’

‘I’m sure she will. So, is that why you’re here, to tell me how Sybil’s getting on? While I appreciate the update, I doubt it’s the main reason.’ He indicated a bench. ‘Why don’t you sit down?’

She didn’t want to sit but refusing looked as if she was angry and not in control. She was determined to take the lead in this conversation no matter what tactics Trev tried.

‘When Sybil was in hospital the last time, you sent those flowers to her as a warning, didn’t you? They were a threat.’

‘Flowers? A threat?’ He scoffed. ‘That’s one hell of a leap.’

‘Laugh it off all you like, but I know everything, Trev. I know that Sybil saw you with your PA at a hotel, and I know you blackmailed her because you knew she was sleeping with my dad. I know you warned her to stay away from our wedding and I know that you’ve lied to me again and again.’

Did he grow pale under his tan? Zennor wasn’t sure but he was, momentarily, struck dumb. That took something with Trev. His expression hardened and he opened his mouth but Zennor cut him off. ‘You manipulated me and blackmailed Sybil.’

He feigned hurt. ‘I have never “manipulated” you or “blackmailed” anyone.’ He bracketed the words as if they weren’t real. ‘No one could make you think anything you didn’t want to. And as for Sybil: she was sleeping with your dad and more than once. She was doing the same thing – only worse because it was with your own father. We’re two of a kind.’

‘You will never be like Sybil!’ Zennor snapped, losing her temper in a way she’d vowed she wouldn’t.

He stared at the ground, and then curled his lip at her. ‘OK. OK. I do regret lying but what good has it done you to know the grubby truth?’

‘I now know what kind of a man you are.’

‘And Sybil and Matt? They all lied to you.’

‘Because they love me. Not because they need to score points and get what they want at any cost. You don’t love me, Trev, you care about winning and about getting one over on everyone else. I can forgive people who do the wrong thing from the right motives, but not … Have you ever really loved me?’

That question was the last one Zennor had planned to ask when she’d been on her way to see Trev. Somehow it had slipped out against all her expectations. She was angry because it sounded needy when it wasn’t meant to be.

His eyes widened in surprise and then he snorted. ‘What? Have I ever – Christ, Zennor, isn’t it obvious that I have always and still do love you? Haven’t I been trying to make you see exactly that since I came back here?’

‘I don’t really know what you’ve been trying to do. You said your mum’s death had given you a new perspective on life.’

‘It has. It did. It’s made me not want to waste any more time, which is why I’ve come back here and tried to reconnect with you.’ He sneered. ‘I guess I’m not the only one.’

For the first time, Zennor wondered if Trev had come back to Cornwall precisely because he’d heard Matt had returned.

‘But I guess Matt’s off the list, along with me, now you know the truth.’ He couldn’t keep the gleam of triumph out of his eyes.

‘Matt has nothing to do with how I feel about you. Whether he came back or not, I had no intention of us ever getting back together – and that was even before I knew our marriage was built on a lie.’

‘It wasn’t a lie. I never saw Tara again after that night at the hotel and I got rid of her.’

‘Actually, I feel sorry for Tara now. You always have to be top dog and get your own way. People aren’t trophies.’

Trev shook his head, injecting sorrow into his voice. ‘You’re wrong if you think I don’t love you or that I looked – look – on you as a trophy to be won. From the moment I saw you, this ethereal, otherworldly woman – I fell for you.’

‘Then why did you cheat?’

He shook his head. ‘Don’t think I haven’t tormented myself about this many times. I still don’t know. Tara flattered me and I knew, because I was engaged, it couldn’t go anywhere. I thought it might be good if I got it all out of my system before I settled down for a lifetime of faithfulness.’

‘Got it out of your system?’ She gasped. ‘And were you – faithful – after we were married?’

‘Oh yes. Yes, miraculously I was – and believe me, I had plenty of opportunities not to be.’

Zennor could barely believe it: he sounded almost proud, though whether he was proud of the offers or his self-control, she couldn’t decide. Both, knowing Trev, especially now that she was fully realising the extent of his narcissism and arrogance.

‘I was faithful until the moment you walked out of the house and told me you were starting the divorce proceedings. You can hardly blame me for seeking solace once I knew I’d lost you.’