He is dictionary definition handsome, but immediately I wonder just how high maintenance he would be. It could get annoying if I was in a relationship with him. I immediately push that notion to the back of my mind. I don’t want a relationship with Niall Heaney. I want to talk to him about Kelly and I also want to keep a safe distance. Declan’s warnings have been playing through my mind all day.

He spots me and his face breaks into a wide smile. His perfectly straight white teeth are almost too dazzling. Standing up, he reaches to me for a hug.

‘Ingrid! Well, this is lovely. It’s so nice to see you. You’re looking well.’

I think of how I’m wrapped up like an immersion tank in my Puffa jacket and smile. ‘Winter chic,’ I say. ‘It’s a brutal night out there.’

He nods, still standing. ‘The drive down from Belfast was a bit hairy in places but sure, I’m here now. Let me get you a coffee. Latte? Cappuccino?’

‘A cappuccino, please,’ I answer and sit down, unwrapping myself from my scarf and coat while waiting for him.

I decide to take my notebook and my phone out of my bag. Make it clear from the outset that this is purely a professional meeting.

He glances at them as he returns carrying two mammoth cups of coffee. ‘You don’t waste any time,’ he says with a smile.

‘Well, sure, it’s a Friday night and I’m sure you have plans that extend beyond meeting me for a chat,’ I smile. ‘So, I don’t want to keep you too long.’

‘I’ve no plans other than sitting watching The Late Late with Mum and Dad and to be honest, you’d be doing me a great favour to distract me from that.’

Niall Heaney has an easy manner. I can tell he would be comfortable in anyone’s company. I admire that confidence in a person, perhaps because I like to think I have it, too.

‘It would be a sin to keep you away from that treat,’ I say with a smile, and he laughs, the corners of his eyes crinkling. ‘So, we really should get down to business. You know I’ve spoken to Declan?’

He nods and if I’m not mistaken, a cloud passes over his face as he does so.

‘That must have been interesting,’ he says. ‘Declan has quite a take on things.’

‘About Kelly? And what happened?’ I raise my eyebrow.

‘About a lot of things. Poor Declan, it’s hard to know what went wrong with him.’

‘You both experienced an enormous trauma,’ I say. ‘I’d think that was enough to have an impact on anyone.’ I realise I’m mirroring the conversation I had with Declan less than twenty-four hours before.