‘He’s pulling your leg, so he is. And, believe me, I’ve cleared up a lot worse than that.’ That I did believe and I gave Lorcan a prod in the ribs for the tease while trying to release myself.

‘Stop wriggling.’

‘You’re too tall. My arm’s coming out of its socket!’

He stopped and gently took my arm from his neck. ‘Jesus, woman, do you ever do anything but complain?’ With that, he swept an arm under my knees and, with the other around my back, strode out of the pub towards the car.

‘Lorcan, put me down!’

‘When we get to the car.’

‘It’s just a cut. I’m fine.’

‘You need sewing together. And here we are.’ He beeped the remote and bent slightly to open the door before gently releasing my legs and helping me into the car. Once I was in, he walked round the front and slid in the other side.

‘I didn’t need carrying.’

‘You’re welcome.’

‘You’re impossible.’

‘So I’ve been told,’ he said, not looking at me as he concentrated on pulling out of the car park and onto the road.

‘Where’s the surgery?’

‘Other end of the village. Why? Is it bleeding more?’ His eyes, concerned, flicked momentarily to me, his forehead furrowed.

‘No, it’s fine.’

‘I’m pretty sure it’s not fine, but you’re doing a good job of making it look like it is.’

‘Everyone is making far too much fuss.’

‘Maddie, a qualified doctor said you need stitches. A little concern is allowed.’

I looked out of the window, unable to think of a good riposte.

‘You’re really not one for being taken care of, are you?’

‘Not when it’s unnecessary.’

‘And when do you deem it necessary?’

I didn’t have a good answer for that either, so I said nothing.

‘That’s what I thought.’

‘Do you think he’s going to be able to do this within twenty minutes?’ I asked, checking the time on my phone.

‘I’ve no idea. Why?’

‘Because we have the cake-tasting in just under half an hour.’

Lorcan swung the car into the empty car park of a newish-looking building on the edge of the village, parking in front of the doors. The sign declared it to be Ballalee Health Centre.

‘You really think that’s important right now?’

I looked round at him as I undid the seat belt. ‘Of course!’

‘You once asked what happened to me,’ he said, his voice soft, his eyes intense. ‘Now I’m going to ask you the same question.’

‘Me? Nothing. Why?’

‘Because, like I said before, I don’t think I’m the only one keeping secrets.’