Cormac opened his eyes.

‘Tell me you’re joking, please!’

The big man’s face cracked.

‘Of course I’m joking. Now get over yourself and come down and see some old faces who quite frankly couldn’t care less if you are a government minister or the Pope. Well, maybe they would get a wee bit excited if you were the Holy Father!’

Cormac raised himself from the bed.

‘Alright, I’ll go down there if you make me a promise.’

‘Depends what I’m promising.’

‘That you will never again use the expression, ‘get over yourself’; it makes you sound like a complete tool!’

Harry pulled the quilt off him.

‘Point taken, my friend. Now come on.’

11

‘That wasn’t too bad, was it?’

Harry handed Cormac a mug of hot coffee as he spoke. The last dregs of Harry’s relatives had just made their way out of the front door and the two men sat alone in the tranquillity of the kitchen.

‘I think it was bad enough. Did you see the look on Jean’s face when she was telling her kids about the evils of alcohol?’

‘Hey, look, whatever you think, they all came because they wanted to see you and believe me, Jean is very proud of your achievements. I should know, because she’s never shut up about them for the past ten years.’

Cormac sat his cup down and studied his old friend.

‘What is it?’

‘Oh, I don’t know. I think it is just seeing all these faces I thought I had long ago forgotten has made me think I missed out on so much over the years. You know, just having people around who truly know you is a special thing. The world in general cares nothing for your soul, Harry. The world I occupy is a pretty superficial place. I had convinced myself I liked it that way. Now I can’t shake the feeling I got it all wrong, not only for me but for Annie as well. I think it has been quite lonely for her. I am always away and when I am home, I am more often than not lost in some document or other. I feel like my whole adult life has been spent trying to escape the present. Does that make sense to you?’

Harry rested his hand on Cormac’s leg.

‘Yeah, it makes sense, but what you are describing sounds to me like normal life. We all spend our time striving and trying to do the best for ourselves and our kids. Life is hard, and we don’t have time to sit and contemplate our navel all day. You have provided Annie with a platform to go on and build a great life. I have watched how she is with you and she adores you, as you do her. She doesn’t look to me like someone who feels unloved or deprived or lonely. In fact, she looks to be a pretty happy and contented girl. I think your problem is that you’re still beating yourself up about the past, when in reality your life is a very successful and full one.’