‘I still am. Wait until you see the state of the house when we get home,’ her friend laughed. ‘But when I saw those two library forms, a green one for Kevin because he’s the “householder” and pink for me, the second-class citizen, with a space for his signature approving my application, it opened my eyes. And I’m ashamed to say that I’d been sleepwalking through my own inequality until that moment.’

‘Maybe you should have accepted Bernard Breen’s proposal all those years ago,’ Imelda teased. ‘You’d be a landowner now that he’s shuffled off his mortal coil, the poor craythur.’

‘Oh don’t remind me,’ Teresa hooted. ‘What was it he said when he proposed?’ She half closed her eyes to think back. ‘Oh yeah . . . “I have the place for ten cows and the waterin’ of twenty, if we schtick together, like. And we’ll live with de mudder.” Poor oul’ Bernard. I wouldn’t have needed the Billings Method if I’d been married to him. He’d never have got near me.’

They erupted into gales of laughter and Imelda felt a rare moment of carefree light-heartedness that the gift of her friendship with Teresa always brought.

*

‘Did you enjoy yourself, Imelda?’ Larry asked her the following evening, as they prepared for bed.

‘I had a great time, Larry. Teresa’s such fun. And you know me – I love shopping.’

‘I know you do.’ Her husband smiled, buttoning his pyjama jacket.

‘And I got a pair of white, wet-look boots for Keelin. She’ll be ecstatic! I’ve got all the Santa stuff stashed over at Mam’s.’

‘I hope you bought something for yourself.’ Larry got into bed and yawned, running his hand over his stubbly jaw. Imelda felt a twinge of guilt. He had made sure there was a stew cooked when she got home and the house had been tidy. And he’d been up to his eyes at work.

‘I bought myself a quilted handbag, like the one Liz Taylor was wearing last year. They’re all the rage now. I’ll carry it to Mass on Christmas morning and be the envy of Glencarraig.’ Imelda finished creaming her face, wiped her hands on a tissue and got into bed beside her husband. He’d been so good to her, and as always, so generous, she wanted to show her appreciation. At least having sex with him tonight wouldn’t result in pregnancy, she thought ruefully, feeling a tad horny. She always felt horny in early pregnancy, so a ride would do them both good.

‘You’re the best husband in the world,’ she said, switching out the light and snuggling down beside him, running her hand over his chest.

‘And a man couldn’t have a better wife,’ Larry assured her, squeezing her hand. But, to her disappointment, he turned over on his side and was snoring within minutes.