‘Harry, it’s so good to see you. I thought you lived in America?’

The giant let go of him.

‘You ain’t seen nothing yet. I moved back last year. Too many Americans telling me they’re more Irish than me!’

‘Harry, before I introduce you to my daughter, will you for goodness’ sake stop quoting song lyrics?’

‘Sorry … seems to be the hardest word! That’s it … I promise … no more … honest!’

Cormac turned to his confused daughter.

‘Annie, can I introduce you to Mr Harry Crossan.’

She smiled in recognition.

‘Harry Crossan, who you were caught stealing with when you were 11, who got thrown out of your mum’s house for bringing a girl back when he was 16, your best friend Harry?’

Harry grabbed her hand.

‘Annie, you look spectacular. I’ve one question for you, though. Did that father of yours not tell you anything nice about me? Or about him and Liam’s exploits too, nothing about the three musketeers?’

‘He told me you spent half your childhood quoting song lyrics to him and would get annoyed when he always knew the answers.’

Cormac seized the opportunity.

‘By the way Harry, in order: Bob Dylan - Positively 4th Street, Bachmann Turner Overdrive -You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet and Elton John - Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word!’

‘You were always a clever bastard, Cormac. Christ, how I’ve missed you. And now you have Annie, who … fills up my senses like a night in a forest.’

Cormac loosened Harry’s grip on Annie’s hand.

‘John Denver - Annie’s Song, and stop flirting with my daughter!’

He spent the rest of the evening with Harry, laughing, arguing and teasing, just as they’d always done. He felt guilty that he might be enjoying his mother’s funeral too much. The night ended all too soon with an announcement.

‘Ladies and gentlemen, Maggie O’Reilly will now sing for us a tribute to her mammy Mary. Silence, please.’

‘When first I saw the love-light in your eyes

I thought the world held naught but joy for me.…’

It was his mother’s favourite song. She sang it beautifully. It all ended in tears.

4

Cormac awoke, still fully clothed, to the sound of a distant tapping. He opened his eyes and raised his head from the bed. The pounding headache reminded him why he stopped drinking Guinness ten years ago. Annie pushed open the bedroom door and brought him tea and a large glass of water.

‘You’re an angel.’

She moved to the window, opened the curtains, and unleashed violent sunshine into the room. Cormac pulled the covers over his head. Annie opened the window and he felt the cool morning breeze wash over him.

‘Thanks, love, I needed that fresh air.’

‘Not as much as I did. The bloody stink in here is appalling!’

Another reason, Cormac remembered, that he’d given up drinking Guinness.

‘Oh, by the way, dad, there’s a fat man downstairs in an appalling tracksuit, quoting song lyrics, and saying something about you two going jogging this morning. I said I’d get your tracksuit ready for you.’