‘I was too ashamed to come back to you for help and too afraid you’d find out what I’d really been planning. I was at rock bottom again until Gabe turned up. He tracked me down and became my sponsor and supported my rehab.’

She stared at Gabe. ‘You paid for Ryan’s rehab?’

‘I was doing well and I could help, so I did.’ Gabe spoke quietly.

Sam was torn between anger at Gabe’s deception and gratitude for his help. It could have been so much worse for her brother if Gabe had stayed silent in the first place or not helped him back on his feet.

‘Look, Sam. You can’t blame Gabe, it was all my fault. I begged him not to tell you or Zennor what might have happened. I promised things would be different when I came out. I swore I’d make a fresh start. I did – eventually. It was harder than I’d thought. Much harder, but with Gabe’s support, I got there and turned my life around.

‘I’ve been working as a counsellor for a gambling rehab charity for a while now. They’re opening a new centre in Truro and when I saw the chance, I applied. I took it as a sign that I should take the next step. Making amends to the people you’ve hurt is part of the rehab process … but I wanted the festival to be over before I dropped a bombshell like this. I’m sorry I couldn’t keep away over the weekend. I tried but I wanted to see you and Zennor – everyone here – again, before I came out with all this.’

Gabe put his hand on Sam’s shoulder as Ryan continued. ‘There’s plenty of time for us all to say whatever we want to. I’m not expecting to be forgiven. Understood, maybe, but not welcomed back with open arms. I just wanted you to know. I knew Gabe was back here and I was offered this opportunity. The stars – fate, any of that stuff – seemed to be telling me to come home.’

Sam sat down on the kitchen stool. ‘I don’t know how I’m ever going to explain this to Zennor. I don’t know if I even should. Oh, Ryan, I don’t know what I feel.’

‘It’s not your job to explain to her, it’s mine, and I’m going to see Zennor now. Zennor can handle it. She’s grown up. We all are.’ He gave a sad smile. ‘Even me.’