‘But she’s our daughter, Imelda. Of course she can come home! I’m going to phone that convent right now and tell her so! How could you be so heartless?’ Larry raged at his wife. She’d just told him that Keelin had phoned to say she was pregnant and was coming back to Ireland, but under no circumstances would she be taking her in.

‘I told her it would all end in tears. I knew the life of a nun wouldn’t suit her. I said it and you all pooh-poohed me. But I was right, Larry. No one ever listens to me.’ Imelda glowered at her husband. ‘Brigid got her into this, Brigid can take responsibility for her.’

‘But she’s not Brigid’s daughter, she’s ours. And she’s having a baby. Our grandchild! For God’s sake, Imelda, have you no feelings?’ Larry was aghast at his wife’s intransigence.

‘Don’t you dare talk to me about feelings, Larry O’Brien, after what you put me through,’ Imelda shouted. ‘Everyone will be talking about her. It’s bad enough leaving the convent, but coming home pregnant – the gossips will have a field day. She won’t be able to walk down the street without someone pointing a finger at her. Is that what you want for her? For me?’

‘People are kind, Imelda; it will be a sensation for a few days and then they’ll forget about it,’ Larry tried to appease his wife.

‘Would you listen to yourself? “People are kind”!’ she snorted. ‘You know as well as I do, there’ll be people in this town that will be delighted to see us get our comeuppance. People who think we’ve got notions because we hauled ourselves up by our bootstraps to become the elite of the town.’

‘The “elite”? What are you talking about, Imelda?’

‘Yes, the elite. We’re up there with the priests, the doctor, the teachers, the creamery owner. You’re one of the biggest businessmen in Glencarraig. Sure, don’t I get it every day – “You wouldn’t know what it’s like to have to do your own shopping and carry your own bags anymore.” ’ Imelda put on a sneery, sing-song voice. ‘ “Sure aren’t you loaded?” ’

‘Ah, you’ll always get people like that in any town.’ He shrugged.

‘Yes, you will. Begrudgery is part and parcel of who we are, and that’s why when shame befalls us, people enjoy it and rub our noses in it. I won’t have it, Larry. I’ve had enough to put up with over the years. Why is it I have to endure the consequences of other people’s bad behaviour and no one gives a shite about me? I’m sick of it, Larry. Sick! Sick! Sick of it! Do you hear me?’ Her face was blotchy red, her eyes sparking with fury.