‘Well, he didn’t really answer me when I asked if he knew her. He just asked me if I knew what club she was with and when I didn’t have the answer he changed the subject. But he never actually said he didn’t know her.’

I’m starting to hear the madness myself and I laugh along with Lucas. ‘I am mad, I know. Are you sure you still want to marry me?’

‘Well I bought the flights,’ he says, causing me to spit out the wine when I burst out laughing.

‘You know, this will probably be our last meal here together. We’ve the rehearsal Thursday, I’m staying at Dad’s on Friday, and tomorrow night Amy is driving me to Dad’s with all the stuff we need for the morning of the wedding.’

‘And Wednesday, I’m having a couple of pints with the blokes from work,’ Lucas says.

‘Is that your last day?’

‘Yes, I’m all yours after that. A whole month before I have to go into the office. It will be strange going to work without a jacket.’

‘So, cheers.’

Lucas clinks glasses with me then turns to glance out at the city. ‘I’m gonna miss this place.’

‘Me too… and I’m really going to miss my dad.’

Lucas smiles and clinks the glass again. ‘He’ll come and visit… we’re going to have a great life, Tara. Australia will be as good to us as Ireland was. I know you’re going to love it there.’

I smile at Lucas, at his innocence, his faith, his excitement, all oozing from those big blue eyes that I’ve become so familiar with.

‘Do you think we’ll ever come back?’ I say.

‘Whatever you want, Tara. I told you, if things don’t work out I’d be willing to return here with you.’

If I hadn’t got a head full of worry, I’d believe I was the luckiest woman in the world. But I have and I’m scared.

‘I’m going to do my best to make it work, Lucas.’

‘I know you will.’

When the meal is finished I put the plates in the dishwasher and wipe down the hob. Lucas is sitting on the sofa looking at the TV.

Now is my chance to pack a few things to bring to my dad’s, so I go to the bedroom and take a case from the top of the wardrobe. A photograph falls down from under the case. I take it in my hand and turn it over to see who it is. Faye stares back at me.