‘You took your time about it, but I’m that happy for you,’ said Troy, recovering at last. ‘Will it be one of those vegan weddings?’

Ben smiled but the attention was clearly too much for a young man with social anxiety/chronic shyness. ‘Probably,’ he mumbled, his knuckles whitening as he gripped Zennor’s hand tighter.

Zennor’s eyes were dancing with delight. ‘You’re all invited, of course, when we eventually get around to it. We need to find somewhere to live first. Ben’s chalet isn’t big enough for two.’

Sam felt she might burst too. She’d been the first to know about Zennor and Ben, and had had to keep it a secret. It hadn’t come as such a huge surprise as it once might, seeing as Ben had spent most of his nights at Wavecrest while Sam had been with Gabe. It seemed that Ben had been keen for a while but Zennor hadn’t wanted to leave Sam on her own.

‘Let’s raise a toast,’ said Chloe. Sam couldn’t help but notice she and Drew had arrived at the meeting together and seemed very close.

Drew laughed but raised his glass. ‘With lemonade, but the sentiment’s there. To Zennor and Ben. Congratulations!’

Troy lifted his mug. ‘Well, I bloody hope we’re going to celebrate with a real drink when we’re finished here.’

‘Definitely,’ said Gabe. ‘I might even get the first round.’

Sam felt his hand on the small of her back, a soft firm touch through her T-shirt. She had the strangest feeling that from now on, he would always be there by her side. She cleared her throat and began.

‘OK. Before we can all go and party, we need to discuss the main item on the agenda. The inaugural Porthmellow Winter Solstice Festival in December. We don’t have long, so does anyone have any bright ideas?’

THE END

Acknowledgements

When part of your job requires eating, drinking and visiting food events, I think you can safely say you’re living the dream. This book was originally inspired by a visit to a food festival in a Cornish harbour town, although I stress that everyone in it is completely fictional and I have made up all the incidents!

Huge thanks go to some great people in Porthleven including Julia Schofield, the co-founder of fabulous Porthleven Food Festival, and Chris, chef and owner of Sea Drift restaurant, for their insight and help with the logistical aspects of organising a festival. Also thanks to the renowned Cornish photographer Carla Regler, whose famous photographs of the town in a storm provided inspiration for this story, and to the Albatross Gallery for their help.