And Harry seemed to oblige. ‘The older generation like myself, we know all we need to. We know when people need a good send-off, or maybe when they need help to give their loved ones a good send-off. At our stage of life, that’s what it’s all about. I’d have little to no social life at all if it wasn’t for attending wakes and funerals. It can be some craic at a wake, all the same. Although not as many hand round a wee shot of whisky any more. It was bad enough when people stopped leaving out the wee trays of cigarettes – although I’d given up by then. I used to love getting a good lungful of second-hand smoke at a good wake, although Mary would go mad when I came home smelling of the stuff. But, sure, nowadays, it’s all just sandwiches and pastries and a cup of tea. Not that that’s a bad thing,’ he said, as he paused for air.

Jo glanced to Lorcan to see he was almost helpless with mirth, his grandad’s take on the world being a thing of legend. As much as Jo tried not to laugh, she couldn’t hold in a grin and found herself gurning in an attempt to reconfigure her face into a more suitable ‘I’m listening’ expression.

‘So many people get the sandwiches brought in these days. Those fancy sandwiches, you know? With “leaves” instead of a good old-fashioned piece of lettuce. A bit of Iceberg, or a nice round lettuce is all you need. Not that rocket stuff. Is that the one that looks like stinging needles? Sure, it doesn’t matter. It should go back to simpler times, a plate of tomato sandwiches, ham sandwiches, and egg and onion. I remember using my mother’s big mixing bowl to mash up two dozen eggs at the one time. The smell, dear God, it was like something had died.’

With that, Jo couldn’t hold it any longer and let out a roar of laughter, before she covered her mouth quickly, terrified she had offended Harry.

The old man looked at her as if she’d lost the run of herself, then glanced at Lorcan, who had tears running down his cheeks.

‘What?’ he asked. ‘What did I say?’ It took a moment for the penny to drop. ‘Oh,’ he said. ‘Oh, like something had died,’ he said, as his face broke into a wide smile. ‘I suppose I could’ve phrased it better,’ he chuckled.

‘I think you phrased it perfectly,’ Jo said.

‘Me too, Grandad,’ Lorcan chimed in. ‘Don’t ever change!’

‘Ah, you two! You do my heart good, so you do. Great to have you young ones about. And I can’t tell you how happy I am to see you get along. Two of my most favourite people right here, who don’t mind me dropping the occasional clanger,’ Harry said.