‘He is,’ Lorcan informed her, leaning on the counter as I continued to study the flowers, feeling the velvety touch of rose petals and inhaling the intoxicating scent of lilies. ‘But the wedding planner let them down and the venue was gone.’

‘Oh…’ Fiadh’s eyes drifted to me.

‘No!’ Lorcan realised her thoughts at the same time. ‘Maddie wasn’t that planner. She’s the one that’s stepped in to try and rescue it all, thank God.’

I smiled, a little shocked at the compliment but feeling a warm rush of pleasure at the note of appreciation in his tone.

‘Lord. Picking up the pieces someone else dropped and trying to fit them all together for the same date can’t be the easiest job you’ve ever had, I’m sure?’

‘Definitely not,’ I said, grateful for her understanding. I already liked this woman. I wasn’t into anything like astrology or fate, but I had a sense for people – well, except for Lorcan, who refused to be sussed out – and I had a good feeling about Fiadh.

‘But if anyone can help Maddie do it, it’s you, Fiadh.’

She turned to me. ‘He’s a silver tongue, but it’s generally speaking the truth. Do you want to come back to the office? I’ll get us a cup of tea and let’s see if we can’t get Patrick and his bride their flowers.’

‘That’d be great! Thank you.’

‘Let me know when you’re done. I’ll come pick you up,’ Lorcan said, straightening from where he’d been leaning.

‘You off to your ma’s?’ his friend asked.

‘I am. She’s wanting to see the dog and I need to collect him from the pub and make sure Brighid’s not feeding him every tidbit going and making him oversize to qualify for carry-on luggage.’

Fiadh stepped back towards him. ‘It’s good to see you, Lorcan. Your visits are too fly by night. She misses you, you know. They all do.’

‘I know. You know how it is.’

‘I do,’ she said, taking his hand gently. The look of understanding that passed between them in that moment was so intimate, and spoke of so much history, that I felt like an intruder. Turning my back, and in lieu of being able to actually melt through the floor, I made an intense effort to study the intricacies of an unusual orchid.

‘Good to see you, Fiadh. Shaun’s a lucky man, so he is.’

‘As I remind him every day. Take care of yourself,’ she said, hugging him tightly.

‘I will. When you’re ready, Maddie.’

I turned, as if I’d been pulled out of a reverie. ‘Oh! Right, yes. Thanks.’

He nodded and left the shop, the door jangling in the quiet. Fiadh turned towards me. ‘Right. Time to make tea and a plan of attack.’