‘I’ll look forward to it. Is it a special occasion?’

Chloe pulled a face. ‘In a way. Landmark birthday.’

‘I’m not going to guess,’ Gabe said.

Troy’s bushy brows lifted. ‘It’s the big four-oh but you don’t look it, Chloe, maid.’

Gabe’s eyes widened. ‘You look great. Must be all the healthy food.’

Chloe seemed flustered and looked down at her hands. Wow, thought Sam, she really did have a crush on Gabe.

Chloe laughed. ‘It’s very flattering of you to say so, but believe me I feel a lot older than forty sometimes.’

Eventually, Troy left to go home to Evie. Gabe and Chloe still had half-full glasses in front of them.

Sam yawned ostentatiously. ‘Whoops. Sorry. It’s been a long day and I need my beauty sleep.’

‘Me too,’ said Drew and drained the last of his glass. ‘Walk you as far as the post office.’

‘Go on then, you never know who’s lurking in Porthmellow after dark.’

Drew smiled, but Gabe and Chloe were engrossed in something on Chloe’s phone and talking about Chinese food.

Drew and Sam exchanged an eye roll.

‘Come on. Let’s leave them to it,’ she whispered to Drew, her stomach swirling with unpleasant feelings that were suspiciously like jealousy.

They left the pub and Sam kept up the chirpy banter until she and Drew parted in the town. Only then did she allow herself to dwell on Chloe and Gabe, their shoulders almost touching, laughing over their phones.

It had only been her second meeting with him and it had been difficult but she’d coped. She had no choice because like it or not, he was now a key part of the festival and would be up and down to Porthmellow on a regular basis. He certainly seemed keen on Chloe.

Sam reminded herself she really couldn’t have her cake – or her Gabe – and eat it. She’d made it very clear that she wasn’t interested in reviving her relationship with him, so why shouldn’t he enjoy a little light flirtation with Chloe – or even a whole lot more?

Chapter Fifteen

@moaningoldminnie: Absolutely dreading this festival. More tourists, noise and pollution not to mention parking issues. To think how peaceful Porthmellow used to be …

@pastyman: LOL. Shit innit?

@moaningoldminnie: There’s no need for foul language but I do tend to agree with you.

@Metallicafan: My Sacha hates it.

@Porthmellowchick: @Cornishmaid #eyeroll #Hatersgonnahate #trolls

After their meeting in the pub, Sam heard from Chloe that Gabe had indeed returned to London as he’d hinted. Apparently, he’d said he’d be back ‘soon’ but given no precise date. Sam felt a mixture of relief and disappointment when he’d left, but at least it meant she had no distractions to pull her mind away from the myriad jobs on her list now the festival was only four weeks away.