‘Too well, I’m afraid. I’m so sorry. I don’t normally sleep this late. Never, actually.’

The woman patted my arm. ‘That’ll be the fresh air for you. Don’t you worry. Now, what would you like for breakfast? The full Irish? Do you like black pudding? How would you like your eggs? Toast or fried bread?’

‘Let the poor girl speak, Brighid.’ Her husband pronounced the name like breeze, with a soft g, laughing as he did so.

She laughed along with him, patting my arm and guiding me to a table by the window that looked out onto an enclosed area that was currently scattered with chickens of differing colours tottering about and pecking at the ground, their fluffy bloomer legs making me smile. Beyond it stretched fields so lush and green, they looked like something from a CGI film. I laid the coat I’d brought down with me over an empty chair, planning to head straight out after breakfast and scout the village for suppliers.

‘So, the full breakfast, then?’ Brighid asked again.

‘Oh, no. I’m fine, really. I don’t tend to eat breakfast anyway and it’s my fault I missed the sitting. I don’t want to put you to any trouble, but a cup of tea would be lovely, if that’s possible?’

‘No breakfast? Nonsense. Most important meal of the day and it’s no trouble at all. So, black pudding or no?’

I enjoyed food but I also tried to be healthy, but somehow I had the feeling I was in a losing battle here and this couple seemed so lovely and friendly, I really didn’t want to offend them. After all, it was just the one day – I’d arrange something different tomorrow. Also, despite the huge and delicious sandwich Lorcan had brought me last night, I was somehow starving.

‘No black pudding, thank you.’

‘Right you are, then. And a big pot of tea, of course. Perfect. Be with you in a while. You just take it easy there and watch the girls,’ she said, pointing to the chickens. ‘Time wasters, so they are, but lovely ones.’

‘I can imagine,’ I said, smiling at their busyness and laughing as one seemed to notice us and turned her black, beady eyes on us.

‘That’s our Helen. Helen of Troy, she’s named after. Thinks she’s the most beautiful creature.’

‘She is rather.’

‘That she is, but don’t you be telling her or we’ll never hear the end of it.’

I laughed again, loving the way Brighid talked about the animals and their personalities.

‘Are they all different? I mean in character?’

‘Oh, absolutely! Just as people are. Have you never had chickens?’

‘I’ve… umm… never actually had a pet at all.’

‘Well, there. Now that’s a shame. I’ll take you out to meet them after you’ve finished your breakfast if you like. Introduce you properly.’