He’d never had a conversation with Jack and knew little about him apart from he was Maggie’s husband and he didn’t approve of Cormac’s chosen career.

‘Obviously it is difficult to do that right now, but I’ll obviously try to help in any way I can.’

The phone was silent for a moment.

‘I’m at the graveyard. I wouldn’t ask normally but I’m desperate and can’t face Maggie with this. I’m begging you; please could I just have a moment of your time before I speak with her?’

He was sure he could detect fear in his voice.

‘I’ll help if I can, but can’t you just tell me on the phone?’

‘Cormac please, I can’t come home until I’ve spoken to you in person, it just wouldn’t be right. It’ll only take ten minutes of your time. Please do it for Maggie, if not for me. Please hurry.’

The phone died.

He paused for a moment to gather his thoughts. He had no particular desire to speak with Jack or indeed help him. But he’d said he couldn’t come home until he’d spoken with him and the graveyard was only five minutes away. What would he tell Maggie and Annie? Maggie opened the kitchen door.

‘Is it safe to come in yet, you’re not discussing state secrets or anything?’

She’d given him his opportunity.

‘Actually, Maggie, that was a rather important call; I’m afraid I’m going to have to pop out for a little while, but I’ll be back shortly. Will you look after Annie for me?’

He could tell she wanted to reprimand him. Tell him how typical it was of him to put his career before all else. She poured more water into her teapot and settled for theatrically rolling her eyes.

‘If you must, but don’t be too long. Jack will be here in a minute.’

He had little difficulty explaining to Annie, who’d endured a lifetime of let downs when, as an ambitious young MP he’d be held up on one occasion and have to dash off on another. As the front door closed behind him, he was grateful for the few minutes it would take to drive to the graveyard. It would allow him to digest Maggie’s revelations. He was still trying to make sense of it all by the time he pulled into the deserted graveyard. There was no sign of Jack or anybody else, for that matter. He’d said he was at the graveyard, hadn’t he? Cormac was already reversing his car when the silver Mercedes pulled up on his right hand side. Jack climbed out and walked around to the passenger side of Cormac’s hire car. He waved an apologetic sorry at Cormac before he opened the front passenger door, and slid in. It struck Cormac, he’d taken so little interest in his family over the years, he hardly recognised the fair-haired, mouse-like features of his own brother-in-law. As Jack got into the car, Cormac promised himself in future he would make more of an effort with Maggie and with him. He would invite them to visit, maybe for a weekend on the first occasion just in case; but a weekend was the least he should do. This was his only sister and her husband, after all. Her husband, who was obviously in distress, judging by the moisture streaming down his forehead as he turned to Cormac.