‘I don’t know how you’ve managed not to throttle my mother, living so close,’ Keelin remarked.

‘Ah, she’s a sad old soul really, and who’d want to be like her? I ignore her carry-on for the most part. It’s the only way to deal with her,’ Felicity said matter-of-factly.

*

‘She’s gone to the hairdresser’s, to get her hair cut,’ Una informed them, when Marie-Claire and Keelin walked into the kitchen, red-cheeked, after walking from the hotel. ‘She’s not wearing the veil anymore and she wants you to bring her shopping for clothes, MC,’ she added for good measure, enjoying the look of astonishment on their faces.

‘Isn’t that marvellous? Every cloud has a silver lining,’ Keelin rejoiced. ‘I never thought she’d give up wearing the veil.’

‘It’s very significant, if you ask me. Retirement from veil and job bodes very well for the future,’ Marie-Claire enthused. ‘Una, we’re going to ask her to come to France with us. What do you think?’

Una turned to look at them where she was filling the kettle at the sink. ‘I think that’s a great idea, ladies. And you know it couldn’t come at a better time. That cranky old boot Emmanuelle has booked in for a few days next week. I didn’t tell RM. I didn’t want to ruin her stay.’

Keelin’s face darkened, but Marie-Claire didn’t notice, she was too entertained by the housekeeper’s description. ‘A cranky old boot? Is she a nun?’ she asked, cutting a couple of slices of brown soda bread.

‘Allegedly,’ sniffed Una derisively.

‘I take it you don’t like her.’ Marie-Claire grinned, spreading butter on the bread.

‘I do not, nor does RM – or your mother for that matter,’ Una said chattily, heating the teapot. ‘She’s a mean-spirited, nasty little witch and I’ll never forget the day she called you a—’

‘Una!’ remonstrated Keelin warningly.

‘Oh Keelin, I’m so sorry. I wasn’t thinking. Forgive me.’ Una’s hand shot to her mouth.

‘What did she call me?’ Marie-Claire asked, staring at her mother.

‘Don’t ask me that. It was a long time ago and best left in the past,’ Keelin snapped, glaring at Una.

‘Was it because you were a nun and dad was a priest?’

‘Yes, something like that, although she didn’t know your father was a priest.’

‘Did she call me a bastard?’ Marie-Claire probed.

‘Oh, what does it matter, Marie-Claire?’ Keelin sighed. ‘Let it go!’

‘You know this was my first home. The nuns are my family. Una is my family. I’m fed up with secrets. Tell me,’ Marie-Claire demanded.

‘Please, Marie-Claire, leave Keelin alone. I shouldn’t have opened my big mouth,’ Una pleaded.