‘Now that’s something I want to talk to you about,’ Larry interjected, stroking his granddaughter’s cheek. ‘I lodged a couple of bob into your account. It should go some way to getting a deposit on a house for ye. Rent is money down the drain. Buy your own place as quick as ye can,’ he advised.

‘Aw, Dad, you’re so good to us.’ Keelin was overwhelmed by her father’s kindness to her. ‘Does Mam know? Does she mind?’ she asked, placing his mug of tea on the table in front of him.

‘Yes, she knows. I told her. She never put up any protest. I think she’s glad, in her own funny way, to be helping you out.’

‘And she knows you were coming to see me today?’ Keelin queried.

‘She does.’

‘And she’d never say she’d come with you?’ she asked wistfully.

‘It will happen in time,’ Larry predicted. ‘She’ll get used to the idea eventually.’

‘She’s had nearly a year,’ Keelin said glumly, thinking how hard it was to believe that this time last year, she had been pregnant but hadn’t realized it.

‘How’s the job going?’ Larry changed the subject, dunking a chocolate biscuit into his tea.

‘Great. I love it. I’m finished this week. The hotel closes for Christmas until mid-January. The few extra bob are great and the hours suit me.’ Keelin sat down at the table beside him. She’d started working part-time in reception at the local hotel, filling in for the regular receptionist who was on maternity leave, and she enjoyed it very much. Una and Marie-Hélène had insisted she take the position, offering to mind Marie-Claire for her.

‘That’s good to hear. We’re up to our eyes, of course. This time of the year is always busy for us, but I’m not complaining. It would be worse if it wasn’t.’ Larry made a funny face at the baby and she chuckled.

Her father looked tired and Keelin felt guilty that he had taken time out of his busy schedule to drive all the way to the Four Winds to see her and Marie-Claire. He’d been so good to her since the baby was born. She knew she would never have managed without him.

Larry had lunch with her and Una, and at Keelin’s urging he left around two-thirty so that he would be on the main road well before night-time. She didn’t want him driving home in the dark.

‘I’ll be down over the Christmas, Keelin,’ he assured her, hugging her tightly before placing a tender kiss on his sleeping granddaughter’s head.

‘I’ll be looking forward to it, Daddy. I love you,’ she said, walking to the car with him.