“I was until this evening,” replied Hugh.

“Hugh’s got himself a job in the Erris Hotel,” explained Jack. “His fishing days are over.”

“Jack,” asked Catherine, “can I get you a drink?”

Jack and Catherine walked to the bar together.

“I like the scarf,” he said.

“I told her I walked into a door.”

He nodded.

“I have never felt so ashamed in my life,” he said.

“It’s not your fault. It’s mine.”

“We’ll have a few weeks together now. The salmon season is finished.”

She kissed his cheek. They rejoined the others. White sunlight was streaming into the lounge and as the sun set a céilí band started playing.

“Have we to listen to this?” asked Sara.

“You don’t like the music?” asked Theo.

“Not particularly.”

Thady spat generously on the floor.

“And how is Catherine?” he asked cheerfully.

“I’m fine, Thady.”

“The rain came anyway,” he said.

“It came,” said Hugh, “it came just in time.”

“Did any of you hear the cuckoo this year?” wondered Jack.

“I did,” replied Hugh, “and I heard the corncrake.”

“And how could you hear the corncrake?” asked Thady. “The corncrake is leaving the Mullet. If he has not already gone.”

“Well I heard the corncrake.”

“I am disposed towards the corncrake,” said Catherine.

“Sure the corncrake is the cuckoo when he’s grown old. Isn’t that right, Jack?”

“He’s the cuckoo with a beard,” laughed Catherine, “and there’s lots of them about.”

“Is this conversation some kind of private ritual or what?” asked Sara.

“Will we go somewhere else?” asked Jack. “What would you like Catherine?”

“I’d like,” said Catherine, “to get married and have children.”

“Are you listening to that?” smiled Sara.

“I’m listening,” he said.

“There’s a lot to be said for it,” agreed Hugh.

Next morning Sara was leaving. He carried her bags to the car.

“You take good care of our Catherine,” Sara said to Jack.

“I will,” he said.

As the car pulled away Catherine said: “I can’t tell you how envious I am of her. She has everything.”

He worked all morning above in the study then brought the text down for her to read.

“When casting for the play takes place,” he said, “you should go for the main female role.”

“I couldn’t,” she said.

“Yes, you could.”

“I’m too distraught.”

“It’s months away yet.”

“I have other things to think of at present.”

“I know.”

“Sara thinks I should leave you. She said you were bad for me. But I told her we were bad for each other and that’s what made it so enjoyable.” She smiled. “Are you sure you want me to appear in a play of yours?”

“It was written for you.”