‘And probably whenever she sees you now too.’

‘Possibly,’ he replied, grinning now and looking far too handsome for my own good. ‘She’d love you.’

I didn’t know what to say as a swirl of emotion engulfed me at his words, so I gave a brief smile and made a point of looking at my smart watch to check a notification. Lorcan had a habit of being able to read me and I didn’t want to afford him that chance right now. Or see the tears threatening in my eyes as I thought how much my own mum would have loved him too.

‘I’d better go,’ Lorcan said, his own face more serious now. ‘Message me where to pick you up tomorrow for the designer.’

I nodded – I clearly wasn’t going to win on that front. Still it would only be for half an hour at the most as Izzy, Rob and I were going out to dinner afterwards.

Lorcan turned to leave, then quickly faced me again. ‘Did I say something wrong?’ he asked. ‘More than usual, I mean,’ he added, with a self-deprecating one-shouldered shrug.

‘No,’ I said, reaching out and laying my hand on his forearm, feeling the solidity of it, the corded muscles under my fingertips. ‘Really.’

His brow remained creased as his gaze dropped to my hand and he placed his own over it. ‘I saw your face, Maddie. If I caused that,’ he said, ‘I’m sorry.’

I squeezed his arm. ‘I promise you didn’t. Thank you.’

His gaze lifted and met mine. ‘It’s true though. You’re a complete pain in the arse but I think Ma would like that.’

‘I’m only a pain in your arse. Everyone else thinks I’m fabulous,’ I teased.

‘Is that so?’

‘Of course.’

‘Must just be me, then.’

‘Must be.’

‘I’ll see you tomorrow.’ He glanced down. ‘And look after that leg.’

‘I promise. Now go and save our schoolhouse before I go off you again.’

Lorcan gently squeezed a couple of my fingers then turned and headed down the path, through the now silent gate, and strode off towards the centre of the village and the solicitor’s office.

* * *

The rest of the day thankfully stuck more on schedule and by the appointed time that night I’d had a twenty-five-minute bath and was in bed, ready for my half-hour of reading before turning out the light. I was just about to put my phone into flight mode when a message notification came in, a little red number one showing on my WhatsApp icon. Opening the app, I saw that it was from Lorcan.

Sorry to disturb you. I know from your schedule you’re tucked up in bed now with your book…

There was a winky face after this and then one with its tongue poking out. Smart arse.