‘You know something, Mam, if a thing resonates with you, go with it, that’s all you have to do,’ Keelin said easily.

‘And I’d just like to say, I very much appreciate all your understanding and forgiveness. I’ll try not to be as cranky as I used to be, but if the odd sharp word or two comes out, you know I don’t mean it. I doubt I’ll be able to change my ways overnight,’ Imelda said awkwardly.

‘We’ll all try and practice tolerance, Imelda. We’re all on this path together,’ Brigid said reassuringly. ‘But neither of us will be canonized yet,’ she added good-humouredly, and Imelda laughed.

‘I suppose we’d better hit the road,’ Marie-Claire said reluctantly, standing up to shake away the crumbs of Una’s light-as-a-feather sponge cake.

‘I wish you could all stay longer,’ Brigid said regretfully.

‘We’ll be in touch with Skype,’ Marie-Claire assured her.

‘And you’re coming to me in September for a few days, Brigid,’ Imelda reminded her.

‘I am. And I’m looking forward to it,’ Brigid assured her.

‘So am I, believe it or not. Now did you ever think you’d hear me say that?’ Imelda joked with a mischievous glint in her eye.

They laughed, and followed Marie-Claire to the car, which was already packed up and ready to go.

‘Happy days are coming!’ Brigid hugged Marie-Claire and the others, and stood waving at them as they drove slowly along the narrow drive to get onto the coast road.

‘I’m looking forward to the week in October. That will be great fun,’ Marie-Claire said, glancing into her rear-view mirror for one last look at Brigid, who was waving vigorously after them, against the background of their beloved Four Winds.

‘I am too. Immensely. And thank you for offering to put us all up, Keelin,’ Imelda declared, turning to her daughter in the back seat.

‘It will be my pleasure – and I mean that,’ Keelin said, smiling at her mother.

Imelda turned back to face the road ahead. She was loved. There was no mistake about it. After all these years, she knew without doubt that she was very much loved. It made her giddy with happiness. I must change my will back, she thought suddenly. She would ring Fitzpatrick’s Solicitors first thing in the morning to make an appointment.

They turned a bend in the road and the coastline rose up to greet them. The sea a palette of blues and greens, tipped by white. On the horizon, the most splendid rainbow that Imelda had ever seen. A gift from Larry, she thought, feeling his presence very near. ‘Look, Keelin. Look what your dad has sent us – like on Iona. I feel him so near these days,’ she exclaimed.