Harry had barely opened the door to reveal the sweeping central staircase which dominated the hallway.

‘What can I get you - wine, whiskey, beer, Guinness?’

Cormac was still suffering from last night’s indulgence.

‘Surely you’re joking, Harry, after what we had?’

Harry was in no mood to take no for an answer. After all, he hadn’t seen his old friend for over 20 years and God only knew when they would see each other again. Harry convinced him that in the circumstances the only reasonable thing to do was to have a drink together, play some music and end up talking complete nonsense to each other.

Cormac’s bowels advised him to choose anything but Guinness, much to Harry’s dismay. While Harry was pouring the wine, the kitchen door pushed open. Cormac turned and immediately felt his pulse quicken. Bernadette? Before he could speak, she had introduced herself.

‘You must be Annie. I’m Claire - very nice to meet you.’

She turned to face Cormac who, even though he realised he was looking at Bernadette’s niece, could not disguise his inner turmoil.

‘And you’re Cormac. I recognize you from the TV. Every time you’re on everything stops in this house. I’ve heard an incredible amount about you from my Mammy and Daddy, and….’

Cormac did not let her finish, but instead took her hand and kissed her cheek.

‘You look so much like your mother,’ he lied.

‘It’s funny you should say that, cos most people tell me I’m the double of my auntie Bernadette.’

She had seen straight through him.

His eyes followed her as she approached her father. His pulse would not settle.

‘Daddy, did you not offer Annie anything to drink?’

She didn’t let him answer.

‘Tell you what, Daddy, you and Cormac go and catch up on old times and I’ll look after Annie.’

‘Good idea love … but don’t you girls drink too much.’

She rolled her eyes.

‘For someone who rolled in at God knows what time this morning and has spent most of the day lying on the settee drinking Guinness and watching football … wouldn’t you say you are being a little hypocritical, Daddy?’

Cormac intervened to aid his stricken friend.

‘Harry, why don’t you show me round the rest of the castle … I mean house … and the girls can get to know each other.’

Harry led the way into the living room.

Claire took Annie by the arm.

‘Well, Annie, I was thinking you could borrow one of my swimsuits, I’ll get the wine and we can spend the evening getting slightly drunk, listening to loud music in the pool or jacuzzi or both. How does that sound?’

‘Where do I get the swimsuit?’

Cormac smiled as he heard them scurry away. He was relieved all of her earlier anxiety appeared to have gone.

He was concerned that his own was steadily rising.

10

He followed Harry into the opulent living room. It was sparsely, but expensively, decorated by someone with a passion for cream and pastels. His eyes were drawn to a photo gallery which covered the whole of the wall to his left.