Chloe laughed. ‘Thank you, Troy, but not anymore. I’m not having a big party but I couldn’t possibly let the occasion pass without celebrating with the people who’ve made this incomer so welcome in Porthmellow. So, if you can make it, I thought we’d have a bring-your-own-supper evening on Saturday the fifteenth. It’ll do us good to have a bit of R&R before the preparations turn completely manic. I’ll provide all the booze, of course, and cook something, but if anyone wants to bring along a favourite dish, that’d be fantastic. Evie’s invited too, of course,’ she said to Troy.

‘She’ll like that. She’s a good cook, my Evie, one of the best.’

‘That sounds brilliant,’ said Sam, delighted to have a distraction from anything Gabe-related.

‘Thanks. Don’t think you have to make anything, Sam,’ Chloe said. ‘I know it’s your day job.’

‘I’d love to bring something.’

‘OK.’

‘Are vegans included?’ Ben piped up, reminding Sam of a baby bird worrying if he was going to get his share of the worms.

Chloe smiled at him. ‘Absolutely.’

Troy huffed. ‘As long as it’s not rabbit food.’

‘We can both rustle up delicious vegan meals,’ Zennor cut in, much to Sam’s amusement. She was like a big sister, defending her little brother.

‘Well … some of them are really nice …’ he mumbled.

‘Your veggie chilli is amazing,’ Zennor declared.

Troy looked as if he’d swallowed a wasp but stayed silent, much to Sam’s relief.

‘Sounds good to me, Ben,’ said Drew. ‘I love chilli and it’s a great idea to have different types of food. I’ll do my best. It won’t be gourmet cuisine and it’ll probably involve fish.’

‘I love fish,’ said Chloe. ‘And um … I was going to say that partners are invited too, of course, if you – if anyone – wants to bring someone. Unless you think they’d be bored with us all talking shop about the festival.’

Chloe had directed this last remark at the whole committee, but Sam suspected she meant it for Drew mostly, and she supposed herself. After all, Evie and Troy were obviously going to come along together, as were Zennor and Ben even if they weren’t officially a couple.

‘I think we’d drive any outsiders mad,’ she said lightly. ‘So, it’ll just be me.’

Troy tutted. ‘You’ll have the floor of that flat down on top of your neighbours if you ask any more and that old balcony can’t be rated for more than half a dozen folk.’

‘Troy’s right about the health and safety,’ said Drew with uncharacteristic seriousness before breaking into a smile. ‘I’m joking, Chloe, but Sam’s right. I don’t know how anyone else would put up with us, so I’ll be on my own too.’