Once the tea was made and as it was only the four of them this evening, Sam kicked things off. Troy folded his arms and subsided back into his seat with an eye roll. Drew exchanged a glance with him, and a small smile before Sam started to talk about road closures, an issue that Troy had plenty to say about, as he was liaising with the harbour authority and local council. It seemed an odd choice, given that Troy’s methods of diplomacy made Donald Trump look like a model of tact, however, Troy did know everyone. No one was offended by his plain speaking because he was rude to everyone. And anyway, no one else wanted to do it or had the time. The upshot was that the roads would be closed for the required period and the harbour authorities were reasonably happy with the arrangements. Chloe had rapidly learnt that ‘reasonably happy’ was a major victory as far as volunteer committees were concerned, so that was another problem that could be ticked off the list.

Sam ran quickly through a list of points, including car parking, first aid, liability insurance and the final tally of food stalls and exhibitors. Hearing the roll call made Chloe proud. As the festival had grown, more and more food and related businesses had clamoured to have a pitch and the stalls had now spread around all three sides of the harbour to the small recreation field and several side streets. Over fifty were booked, offering something to tempt all taste buds including a champagne oyster bar, locally distilled gins, ice creams, cupcakes, pulled pork, Cornish sushi, vegan treats, Thai curries, Spanish paella, cream teas, craft beers tent … Even reading the list of stallholders and exhibitors was enough to make Chloe’s mouth water.

By nine o’clock, the sun had set and a blue twilight had crept over Porthmellow. Chloe glimpsed the lights of streetlamps and cafés shimmering on the harbour. The meeting had lasted two hours and she sensed people twitching in their chairs.

Troy tapped his watch and said in a mock polite voice: ‘I hate to mention it, folks, as we’re all having such a lovely time, but are we ever going to get to the pub?’

Soon after, they had packed up and headed for the bar of the Smuggler’s. Their route took them past the Net Loft and as they passed by, a man and a woman walked out. The woman – a local estate agent – locked the door and shook hands with the man who Chloe instantly recognised as Gabe Mathias.

Drew broke into a smile and as for Sam … Chloe might have been imagining it or did her face blanch?

Troy wasn’t so shy. ‘Well, well,’ he called to Gabe. ‘Hello there, again.’

Chapter Fourteen

Sam could have sworn her heart stopped momentarily as Gabe walked over to them.

‘Looking at expanding your empire?’ Troy said.