‘Me,’ I said, drawing myself up. ‘I say so. In fact, it says so right here in my planner.’ I let go of his hand, flashed him the planner before closing it again and putting it back on the table. ‘And you know how much of a bible that is. What’s in there is truth and gospel. So that’s that.’

‘That’s that?’ he replied, reaching up to pull Bod back from his position as he noticed a group of teenage Korean girls gathering at the window watching the dog, and thereby us.

‘Yes. End of. It’s not your job to make sure Peyton and Patrick have the wedding they want. That’s my job, so you can relinquish that burden now. You’re there to support them, which you are. You’ve done so much to help me this weekend, and don’t forget I know that you didn’t just happen to find a space for them at the castle. You made special arrangements to ensure it was free for them to have the date they wanted, should they need it as a back-up. You risked your own income on the off chance that your friends might need the castle as their venue. We all know how much hospitality has suffered over the last few years and not many owners would do that.’

‘They would for their friends.’

‘No, Lorcan. They wouldn’t.’

‘Then perhaps they’re not real friends.’

‘Perhaps they’re just not as good a friend as you are. So let go of all that other stuff. You’ve got them a venue. You also pretty much single-handedly got them a caterer, a florist and a baker. In fact, I’m beginning to think I ought to give you half my fee.’

‘Only if you insist.’

‘Well, I wouldn’t like to insist.’

Another smile.

‘Do you want another drink or some food? We have time before we have to leave for the airport.’

‘Have you eaten?’

‘I’m OK.’

I waited.

‘No, Mam. I haven’t eaten.’

I gave him a gentle kick and told him to go and order whatever he knew was good, to which he gave a nod of acquiescence, handing the dog back to me as he did so. Bod snuggled in as if he’d known me forever and I felt the smile spread over my face.

‘He does that to people.’

‘Snuggles?’

‘Makes them smile.’

‘Oh, I see.’

‘He’s a cuddly little chap, for sure, but he seems to have taken a special liking to you.’

‘Now you’re just being nice. Stop it. It unnerves me.’