Oh crap. Sam had hoped to creep upstairs and change without waking Zennor, but her sister called from her room before she’d even reached the landing. She’d already given up any hope of sleep. After she and Gabe had had sex the first streaks of light were already showing in the sky.

She leaned on the door frame of Zennor’s room. ‘I got your message about Gabe. We had hot chocolate and a long talk and er …’

Zennor pulled up the hood on her unicorn onesie. The padded horn bobbled. She slapped her hands over her ears. ‘Stop. I don’t need to know any more … I don’t suppose you want breakfast if you’ve already had it at Gabe’s,’ she said, loading the words.

‘I didn’t say I’d had any breakfast,’ Sam said warily. ‘I’ll put the kettle on.’

Zennor joined her in the kitchen. Gareth and Harry were up, wheeking around their palace, exploring it like they’d not seen it a thousand times before.

While the kettle boiled, Zennor lifted Gareth out and nuzzled him.

‘Are you angry with me for staying with Gabe?’ said Sam.

‘Do you care if I am?’ Zennor kissed Gareth.

‘You know I care, but I didn’t plan on him coming back to Porthmellow or taking part in the festival. I didn’t plan last night or ask for it all to start over again.’

‘Start over again? You were in bits the last time. I was young but I could see the pain you were in. I was hurt too, worried about Ryan, still missing Mum. I still miss her now. No, Samphire, I’m not angry but I am worried. I hope you know what you’re doing. I don’t want to see you hurt like that again.’

Sam flinched. Zennor’s eyes burned with a fierce fire. Backlit by the rising sun, in front of the sink unit, their mother was brought back to life for a few seconds. How could she not have noticed Zennor growing so like her? Sam squashed down the lump that clogged her throat and the voice that came out was scratchy with emotion. ‘That’s what Mum would have said.’

‘Yeah, and she would have been right. Does this mean you’ve forgiven him, then? Just because you have, doesn’t mean I have to.’