The family would be waiting at the front of the church, where people could personally pay their respects, so I said to Kate, ‘We’ll go out the side door.’

‘You don’t want to meet him?’

Jesus Christ, no. I needed to get as far away as possible. There was no hope of us being friendly. His flat-eyed glance had left me in no doubt.

The reality was that a long time had passed, he’d met someone else and so had I. The situation was as fixed as it was ever going to be.

‘We’d better sign the book,’ Kate said.

There was no need, he’d seen me, he knew I’d been there.

Quietly, we slipped outside but to get to the parking lot, we had to cross the forecourt of the church, where the crowds were congregating. Ducking our heads, Kate and I scurried at speed, my shins in agony yet—inexplicably—also numb.

‘Rachel?’ someone called.

‘Oh no,’ I whispered. Kate and I scurried even faster.

‘Rachel!’ The voice was a lot nearer.

There was no escape, so I stopped and turned to see Luke’s brother, Justin and a younger man, the one who looked like the twenty-something Luke.

‘I thought it was you!’ Justin declared.

Hugging him felt natural. ‘I’m so sorry about your mum. She was lovely.’

‘Margie was a character.’ He managed a half-laugh. ‘It’s a sad day.’ He turned to Kate and stuck out his hand. ‘Justin Costello.’

‘We’ve met,’ she said shyly. ‘A long time ago. At their—Rachel and Luke’s—wedding. I’m Kate, Rachel’s niece.’

‘Jesus.’ He looked mildly shocked. ‘You don’t feel the years passing.’ He shunted forward the young man. ‘This is my eldest, Devin.’

‘Devin?’ I couldn’t hide my surprise. ‘The last time I saw you, you were about twelve!’

Up close, he wasn’t really that similar to the young Luke. He had the same black hair and a similar body type, but his eyes were nothing like Luke’s pools of darkness.

Politely, he shook hands with both of us.

‘Will you come back to the house?’ Justin asked. ‘My place in Rathmichael. Everyone’s invited, we’d love to have you.’

Go to the house.

There wasn’t a hope. I needed to get away from the Costellos, all of them.

‘I don’t think it would be the best idea…’ Especially not with Luke and his new lady there. ‘But…’ My tears started again. ‘Just tell me, is he well? Is he okay?’ Half laughing, I added, ‘Apart from the fact that his mother has just died, I mean.’

Justin looked sad and embarrassed. ‘He’s good, he’s good. Don’t worry about him.’

‘Could you…pass on my condolences?’

‘You can tell him yourself if you come for the lunch. Come on, Rachel, we’d love to see you. Dad really wants you there.’