And she loved him, but was that enough to overcome everything else? And even if it was, would Gabe really want to stay in Porthmellow after the festival was over? Come back to the humdrum everyday rhythm of life there? The adulation he’d received at the festival had shown her how far he’d moved on in his life.

‘I can’t handle this now. I need to go to Zennor and Ryan. Give me some time to take it all in. Please.’

She walked out and across the road. The last light streaked the sky. The music had stopped below in the harbour. She gazed up at the sky, searching every star for a brighter one. Any sign that she wasn’t alone in her decision-making. ‘Mum, I’ve no idea if you can hear me, but if you can, please tell me what to do. Forgive? Forget? Neither? Both?’

Then she hurried over to Wavecrest Cottage, let herself in and closed the door behind her. A cacophony of sobs, squeals and pig-wheeking greeted her. The Lovells were finally back together again, but she still had no answer to her questions.

Chapter Forty

Chloe finished putting her hair up and went into the sitting room where Hannah was zipping up Ruby’s day bag. What a load of paraphernalia a little one came with. She’d forgotten how much. Ruby was making her wobbly way between the furniture in her dungarees and T-shirt. The sunshade was on the buggy.

It was now Tuesday afternoon and Hannah was going to the beach with Ruby. Fraser had left on Monday evening, driving home to Surrey. The marquee and stage had gone, the streets were being cleared up and Porthmellow was a lot more … mellow. It would not be as easy to clear up things between Jordan and Hannah. Hannah had already called him. He was Ruby’s father, after all. He did want to see his daughter and he’d have to be responsible for supporting her, alongside Hannah. Hannah wanted him to be a part of Ruby’s life if it was possible.

After she’d helped Ruby and Hannah down to the ground floor, she went back upstairs. The Crow’s Nest was unnaturally quiet, and, briefly, Chloe had a reminder of what life had been like just a few days ago. Hannah and Ruby would stay with her while they got themselves sorted out, but Hannah planned to get a job. Chloe was going to help with the childcare, but Hannah had insisted she had her own career and Ruby would need some extra nursery care. That was all in the future. All up in the air.

Chloe had to start preparing for her next event soon – but first, she had a more important job to do. It was a hot July morning so she pulled on a sundress she hadn’t worn for a couple of years and casual pumps, and went out onto the balcony.