‘Don’t let that brain of yours go too hard into it though. This is supposed to be a day off, don’t forget, and I’m sure you’re pretty exhausted anyway.’ He flicked his gaze from the road momentarily, the look in his eyes saying more than a whole raft of words could. And he was right.

‘I promise.’

The smile spread on his face as he looked out of the front windscreen. ‘I’m glad to hear it.’

35

Lorcan opened the back door of the kitchen for me, and suddenly I felt as if I’d entered an old saloon back in the Wild West. People crowded around the table chattering but the moment I stepped in, silence washed over the room as all faces turned to ours.

‘Ah, there you are,’ Maria said, immediately coming over and helping me off with my coat before I could object. ‘Did you have yourselves a nice time? Oh my, your poor face is freezing. Come and sit down by the Aga and warm up. Cillian, move yourself and stop hogging the best seat.’

‘No, really, I’m fine,’ I said, before looking over to the man Maria had addressed. ‘Please, do stay where you are.’

‘Not at all,’ Maria overruled. ‘I’ve a job for him anyway. This is my youngest, by the way, Cillian. This is Lorcan’s friend, Madeleine, the wedding planner.’

‘Nice to meet you,’ I said, waving in lieu of being able to actually reach across the table and shake his hand.

‘And you.’ He smiled that family smile. ‘The youngest and best-looking, obviously.’

‘Obviously,’ Lorcan said drily from behind me.

‘Now, come and sit down, Maddie. Here.’ Maria stopped for a moment and peered at me. ‘Are you feeling quite well? You look a little pale.’ She touched her hand, its skin soft, to my cheek. ‘Do you want to go and rest for a bit? Dinner won’t be for a little while yet.’