‘Look. This isn’t getting us anywhere and really doesn’t matter anyway. So you’ll make the flight arrangements?’

‘I will. I’ll book you into the local pub. Comfy rooms and they do a grand breakfast.’

‘I don’t usually have breakfast.’

‘I’ll leave you to explain that to Brighid. She’s very proud of her proper Irish breakfast.’

‘I’m sure she’ll understand. There’ll be too much to do anyway. We have a lot to fit in this weekend.’

‘Grand. I’ll message you with a time tomorrow. I’m getting a cab home,’ he said, looking up at the sky. The clouds had thickened and now hid the moon entirely, and the rain promised by the forecast was beginning to drizzle. ‘Where can I drop you?’

‘It’s fine. I can walk from here to the Tube.’

‘Nope,’ he said, flagging down a black cab. ‘Which station? We’ll drop you. And before you try and argue again, it’s not happening, even if I have to bundle you in myself. I have three sisters, not to mention a baby brother, and I’m used to making sure they have a safe trip home. If something happened to you, I’d then have to try and explain to Peyton and Patrick that they were once again planner-less. It’s not worth the grief, so, please, Maddie, just do me a favour and get in the cab.’

I did as he asked and gave him the name of the station to pass on to the cabbie. ‘I take it your car is at the other end?’

‘Yes, it is.’

‘Good. Message me when you’re home.’

‘I will do no such thing,’ I replied, laughing.

‘Yeah,’ he said, turning to me, ‘you will. Patrick gave me strict instructions to look after you and I take my responsibilities very seriously.’

‘I’m sure he just meant in general, in Ireland.’

‘It doesn’t matter. Please. Just one word is enough. Whatever you choose that word to be is up to you.’

‘Several come to mind.’

‘Of that I have no doubt.’ The killer grin was back.

I shook my head. ‘Fine. Frankly I’m too tired to argue any longer.’

‘Thank you.’

I glanced across at him and caught the smile. Turning away, I looked out of the window and onto the streets of London now shiny with rain, my mind buzzing with thoughts, ideas and to-do lists… and the best smile I’d seen in years.

6

‘How’s the roof?’ Lorcan asked, meeting me halfway up the garden path and reaching out to take my suitcase.

‘Thanks,’ I said, passing it over to him. ‘It’s fine so long as it’s not raining.’

‘Going to be OK while you’re away?’

‘Tom’s going to come by and check on it.’

‘Tom?’ He raised an enquiring eyebrow, which I pointedly ignored and walked past him towards the car.

‘Morning, Maddie.’