“I should be getting along,” Paddy said. “I have things to do at home and I don’t like leaving Maureen for too long.”

“Of course. Thank you for the ride,” Darcy said.

“You’ll be all right if I leave you here, then?”

“We’ll sort something out,” Darcy said as Paddy unloaded my suitcase from the back of the van. “Let’s try and meet up at the Harp sometime and do some real catching up.”

“We’ll do that. Grand idea,” Paddy said. “Glad to see you’re hale and hearty, Lady Whyte. My best to Sir Dooley.”

“And my best wishes to your wife for a successful delivery,” she called as he went around to the driver’s door. “And make sure you have her sewn up after this. Three children is quite enough these days. None of this nine or ten nonsense and I don’t care what the parish priest says. There will soon be so many people on this planet that it will be standing room only.”

Paddy gave her a nervous smile as he shut the door behind him.

“Well, don’t just stand there,” Oona repeated. “I expect we’ve got something to feed you, if you don’t mind catch as catch can.” She looked at Darcy, carrying my suitcase. “Or are you planning something much longer than a meal?”

“Oh no,” Darcy said. “Georgie brought her suitcase with her because she thought she might stay in the area for a few days. But of course she can’t stay as every nook and cranny is full.”

“Why would that be?” Oona looked back as she led us into a dark hallway. The hall stand had vanished under a mountain of coats, hats, mufflers and rain gear. Around it, strewn across the floor, were wellies and boots of various sorts, making stepping across them a dangerous business. The dogs pushed past us and ran ahead down the hall.

“The trial, of course,” Darcy said. “I know you live cut off from the world but you have heard about my father, I take it?”

“Oh, that? Yes, we heard something. Silly fool getting himself into trouble again. Probably said the wrong thing at the wrong time.”

“He’s been arrested for murder, Aunt Oona. He could well hang.”

“He killed the American who bought Kilhenny, did he?”

“So they say.”