‘Thanks,’ he replied, looking up at me through long dark lashes as he placed the little dog down on the floor to hoover up a crumb that had dropped from Maria’s plate.

‘It’s such a shame he doesn’t feed the poor animal,’ Lorcan’s mum said, laughing as the furry little vacuum wound himself round table and chair legs, ever hopeful.

‘Some days I look for the zip – I’m sure I’ve been saddled with a micro pig in a dog outfit.’

‘Or maybe he’s just taking after his owner. You’re hardly one to turn down a meal.’

‘That’s not the point.’

‘No, love. Of course it isn’t.’

I hid my smile behind my cup but not well enough. Lorcan caught me and raised his eyebrows, before emitting a small sigh, but there was a sense of calm behind it. His body was languid and relaxed, his expression soft. It was how he’d been with me when I was ill on the plane, when I was high as a kite on painkillers and lonely in my hotel room on my last visit and, despite the odd disagreement, how he was when we were together working on the wedding.

As time had gone on, Lorcan had spent more time at my place, especially once the sale of the schoolhouse had gone through and the renovation began. Quite often, he’d drop Bod at my house while he went across the village to oversee the project. I was always thrilled to see my fuzzy four-legged friend and I loved having his company in the office. He was so well mannered that several clients hadn’t even noticed he was there until they got up to leave and saw him curled up cosily in his little bed. Lorcan never took it for granted that I would look after him, even though I was sure he knew that I was as excited at seeing Bod each time as he seemed to be at seeing me. I never got used to that adoration from the little dog and didn’t think I ever wanted to. It felt like forever since someone had been that pleased to see me and I doubted any human would ever be able to match that enthusiasm again. Even if I’d let them.

‘He’s got himself a much better work-life balance now, haven’t you, love?’

Lorcan smiled in return but didn’t elaborate. ‘I got so worried about him. Well, you would, wouldn’t you? Even though he’s that size, he’s still my boy. I’m sure your mammy is the same with you.’

‘I… unfortunately my mum died, but I’m sure she would have been, yes. It’s natural, as you say.’