‘You’ll know it’s bad when the fishing fleet ends up berthed in front of the post office,’ said Drew.

‘Or the bin lorry gets washed out to sea,’ added Sam.

‘Now you’re having me on!’ said Chloe.

‘Nope,’ said Drew, Sam and Gabe altogether.

Gabe nodded. ‘The bin lorry thing happened when I was at school. There’s some footage on YouTube. Take a look if you don’t believe us.’

‘Yes,’ said Drew. ‘And worse.’

Chloe burst out laughing. ‘You’re all so funny,’ she said, pointing a finger at Drew.

She looked up to find everyone looking at her. No, they really weren’t joking. ‘Well, even if the Crow’s Nest is one day swept away by a giant wave, I still absolutely love the picture. It’s magnificent. And … I wasn’t going to make a speech …’ she began. She took another breath, knowing that, finally, this was the moment.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Her friends had shown her so much kindness and honesty, they deserved to know the truth about her. Chloe only hoped they’d be as generous after they’d heard as they had been before.

She cleared her throat and made the mistake of catching Drew’s eye. He looked at her expectantly, perhaps a little puzzled. This was so hard. She felt light-headed.

‘There’s something I have to say. When I moved to Porthmellow last autumn, I was not in a good place. You all know I came here to make new memories somewhere I’d been happy, but it was a hope. I had no idea if it would work out and I don’t mind admitting that behind the Chloe you might see, I was pretty terrified.’

‘Of us? Why, maid?’ Troy murmured.

‘Shh.’ Evie poked him.

‘Because I was the stranger, the incomer. That woman from Surrey with the hoity toity accent who looks a bit different.’

Evie nodded. Drew gave her an encouraging smile.

‘I don’t mind admitting that there’s been the odd person in Porthmellow who hasn’t welcomed me with open arms.’

‘Funny buggers,’ Troy muttered.

His comment made Chloe smile and gave her courage. ‘But you – the committee – have made me feel like a friend, not a stranger. I know I’ll never be Cornish like the rest of you –’ Everyone laughed, and looked at her expectantly, boosting her confidence further ‘– but I do feel like part of Porthmellow. You made me feel like part of the community and part of your lives. And that is why I want to share something – a few things – with you that you don’t know about me.’

Her stomach twisted as the words came out. She hadn’t known until a few moments ago what she was going to do.

She saw people exchange glances. Zennor’s mouth opened. Evie straightened in her chair.

‘It’s about my daughter, Hannah, and …’ She paused for breath. ‘My granddaughter, Ruby.’