The following morning, Armand hurried to the small office, his heart thumping in his chest to hear what news there might be. ‘Armand, I’ve located a number in Ireland. Seemingly the aunt is now a Reverend Mother and no longer in Senegal. She’s in charge of a convent in Limerick. We’re getting places, son. We’re one hour behind them, do you want me to ring her now?’

‘Oh please, Monsignor; let us not lose a moment. I will of course pay for the call.’ Armand could hardly contain himself.

‘Arrah, you will not,’ the Monsignor said irascibly. ‘The Vatican has plenty of money, they don’t need yours – the little you have of it.’

Armand’s mouth was dry as the operator connected them to the number in Ireland. Please let me be able to contact Keelin, he prayed fervently as he heard the Monsignor say politely: ‘My name is Monsignor Patrick Kelly; I’m ringing form the Ivory Coast. Would it be possible to speak to Reverend Mother Brigid please?’

Armand heard a female voice on the other end but couldn’t hear what she was saying. ‘Thank you very much. I appreciate your help,’ Monsignor Kelly said, scribbling a number down on a pad.

‘The Reverend Mother is in a place called the Four Winds, down the coast from Limerick,’ he said, dialling the long international number.

Another conversation and then the Monsignor gave him the thumbs up and Armand heard him say, ‘Good morning, Reverend Mother, I’m ringing from the Ivory Coast. I wonder could you help me? I’m trying to locate your niece, Sister Michael—’

He stopped speaking and Armand could hear the nun at the other end saying something.

‘Excellent, excellent, he’s here beside me.’ He handed the phone to Armand and said reassuringly, ‘She has her safe and sound.’

Armand took the phone, his heart skipping a beat when he heard Keelin’s beloved voice. ‘Hello, Armand, I’m here with my aunt in Ireland.’ Her voice quivered and his heart went out to her.

‘Cherie, I’m so sorry to be the cause of this for you. I’ve asked Monsignor to ask the bishop to start my laicization process. I’ll be with you as soon as I can,’ he said earnestly.

‘Oh Armand, thank goodness.’ He smiled, hearing the note of relief in her voice. ‘I’ll be fine here, don’t worry about me,’ she added reassuringly.

‘I will worry about you and our child until the day I die, mon amour,’ he assured her, wishing with all his heart that he was with her right now. ‘I will be by your side soon.’

*

‘I suppose the pair of them are calling me a right bitch,’ Imelda said forlornly, watching Larry unpack his travelling bag. He’d stayed in a B&B in Butlersbridge for a few days while Keelin was settling in to the Four Winds.