‘Other way round. When I met her, I’d often spend whole weekends on the trails. She said she never saw me. She was right. But I was too…selfish, I guess, to compromise, so even though she was nervous of horses, she took lessons. Now she’s great.’

‘Wow. She’s determined.’

He laughed. He sounded warm. ‘She’s certainly that.’

‘Luke.’ I made myself say it. ‘It’s hard to think of you as selfish. That’s not the way you used to be.’

‘Aaah. Life.’ He looked sad. ‘Comes along and changes us …So. Who’ll be at Margaret’s birthday party?’

‘No men, just all the Walsh women. The five of us, plus Mum and Kate, Francesca and Molly. And Margaret’s friend, Emily.’

‘And Holly?’ he asked.

‘Too young.’ But I was touched that he remembered her.

‘And Helen’s Best Friend, Bella Devlin?’

I burst out laughing. ‘How d’you know about her?’

‘Met her at your mum’s party.’

His eyes flicked away. There was a second, a hiccup of discomfort, as we remembered that night, then we proceeded.

‘So tell me, Anna’s in Ireland again? She visits…how often?’

‘Every couple of months, sometimes more often if she’s in Paris for work.’

‘Does she ever think about moving back? With your parents being…?’

‘Old? It’s okay, Luke, you can say the word.’

‘Elderly? Does it bother Anna?’

‘I don’t think so. Her life is in New York—her job, her apartment. And I couldn’t see Angelo living here. Anyway, she’s here a lot. Air travel, ya know? How are you feeling since your mum…’

‘Say it, Rachel.’ He was smiling. ‘You can say the word.’

‘Since she died.’

‘It’s still early days. But I’m doing okay. It hasn’t made me hate everyone…’

‘That’s how you felt after Yara?’

‘Yeah.’ Such a heartfelt sigh. ‘With their bullshit platitudes and their pity. I didn’t know how angry I was. You?’

‘Well, we all know how I “coped”.’ Then, ‘I’m so sorry, Luke.’

‘Stop. Please, Rachel.’ Even with the awkwardness of the screen, our eyes seemed to meet.

‘How’s your dad?’ I asked.

‘A pain in the hole.’ He laughed. ‘He is not going gently into that good night.’

‘He’s only—what? Seventy-eight? He’s young.’

‘Well, he wants to see the world. “While he still can.” I mean, fair enough. Next month we’re taking him to Vegas and Palm Springs. After that he’s talking about Cuba. But I’m glad to get time with him.’ Suddenly sombre, he said, ‘Mum’s death has certainly changed my perspective…’ Then, ‘So! You need to get to your meeting and I should get to bed!’

‘…Luke, are you okay?’