………

‘Hmmn. Perhaps you’re over-thinking this just a little?’

‘WAAAAAAK!’

………

‘Yes, I do, though. I do remember it.’

………

‘A computer …?’

………

‘Sorry, who? Mrs …? You mean Dr Meadows’s old … ?’

………

‘No. I don’t think I’ve ever actually met …’

………

‘Together? Really?! In what sense, “together”?’

………

‘You mean since he got home from Douai …?’

………

‘Which coat?’

………

‘In fact there was something in a carrier bag … I imagine Mr Barrow must’ve brought it into the cottage under Mr Huff’s instruction because I certainly had no inkling that it might have been … I would most definitely have …’

………

[Shrill high-pitched whistle.]

‘Are you being serious?!’

………

‘Gracious me! I actually think you showed enviable restraint under the circumstances!’

………

‘BALDO! BALDO! BALDO! BALDO! BALDO! BALDO!’

‘I only saw her in it once, Carla. But remember it was the summer when they visited, so it wasn’t really appropriate weather for …’

‘WAAAH!’

………

‘No. Father Hugh never made any mention of it to me.’

………

‘Well I suppose it was entirely up to Kalinda who she …’

………

‘But why would you want to tell him that, Carla? I mean it’s just speculation, surely? And especially after he tried to …?’

………

‘Perhaps you should give it a little more …?’

‘WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAK!’

‘Sorry. He – she – gets a bit testy when I spend too long nattering on the …’

………

‘Yes. An old monk. In a wheelchair. When I was praying in the abbey. He told me I should trust Mr Huff. I quote: “even though your every instinct fights against it”.’

[Shrill, high-pitched whistle.]

………

‘Orla. He said Orla had told him.’

………

‘I’m beyond knowing that, darling. I mean what is there in this life to be entirely confident in, apart from God of course? And taxes?’

………

‘Okay, death. And God. And taxes. I stand corrected.’

………

‘WAAAH!’

‘Who told you that?’

………

‘Well, I suppose Mrs Barrow would be in a good position to know …’

………

‘Really?! The two of them? Travelling together? When, exactly?’

………

[Shrill, high-pitched whistle.]

‘Enough, Baldo! Enough now! Uh … well if they have acquaintances in common then I suppose …’

………

‘It is quite extraordinary when you actually come to think about it. That he should suddenly be in sole charge of virtually everything to do with …’

………

‘No, Carla. Not everything. It was just an idle turn of … Sorcha’s still a perfectly free agent. And so are you, and so am I … And you’ve got the cottage. You’ve got Mulberry. So it’s not a complete monopoly. Thank God!’

………

[Shrill, high-pitched whistle.]

‘I don’t know, Carla. I mean if you’re upset about those two missing …’

………

‘I can’t really. Not properly. I just … I don’t feel entirely qualified to advise you about that. Maybe a priest might be better …?’

………

‘Like a kind of … yes … after … yes, to offer it all up. I see what you mean …’