For so many years, there’d been nothing in her life to make her feel really enthusiastic. Now every day had a new joy and a new sense of freedom for her. It was thoroughly invigorating, Brigid thought happily.

Imelda’s perfume wafted out the door when it opened. Brigid could see that her sister had taken extra care with her make-up. She really was looking very well for her age.

‘I must get you to give me make-up lessons sometime. You look very glamorous,’ she complimented her sister.

‘I try.’ Imelda admired her reflection in the mirror. She’d got a new foundation the last time she was in Brown Tomas and it was very smooth compared to the old one, which had always looked patchy.

‘They’re on their way to collect us. Marie-Claire said to be in the foyer waiting,’ Brigid explained.

‘Did they ring you?’ Imelda asked sharply.

‘Text.’ Brigid wondered why the tone.

‘Huh, they could have sent me one. Just as well I was ready in time,’ Imelda said snippily, gathering her bag, scarf and jacket.

Don’t start your nonsense. Brigid felt irritability prick her bubble of anticipation. Imelda’s humour had changed. She wore that dour expression that Brigid was more familiar with. She realized that Imelda was nervous. It was her first time to meet Keelin after the row. It would be awkward for both of them.

‘Do you want to take the stairs or the lift?’ she asked.

‘I suppose we should take the stairs. It’s good exercise.’ Imelda arranged her scarf just so over her shoulders as they walked along the corridor.

‘The Dunne ladies shall make their impressive descent, then,’ Brigid said light-heartedly. ‘Remember after we went to the cinema to see Gone with the Wind, we wrapped Granny Dunne’s shawls around us and pretended to be Scarlett and Melly, walking down the stairs.’

‘We did, didn’t we? I’d forgotten that.’ Imelda brightened at the memory. ‘You forget so much, don’t you! Oh look, there’s Keelin waiting for us,’ she murmured. ‘I wonder will she be snooty with me.’

‘She wanted you to come with us,’ Brigid reminded her gently. ‘She’s probably wondering will you be snooty with her.’

‘Well she was quite nasty to me,’ Imelda said self-righteously as they reached the last step and walked past reception to where her daughter was waiting for them.

‘Hello, Mam,’ Keelin said calmly.

‘Hello, Keelin.’ Imelda felt her mouth go dry and her heart start to beat faster. She didn’t know what to say next.

Brigid saved her. ‘Hello dear, where’s Marie-Claire?’ she asked, reaching up to kiss Keelin’s cheek.

‘She’s in the car outside, she’s anxious to get home because she has the dinner simmering in the oven, so I said I’d run in for you.’

‘Grand, we’re all ready to go,’ Brigid said, ushering Imelda and Keelin ahead of her.