‘You are, however, the only one keeping us from our appointment. Come on, out you get.’ I gave him an instructive push, before getting out my side and doing my best to keep the pain off my face as I put weight on my leg.

‘Good try,’ Lorcan said. ‘I can still see it hurts like hell.’

I ignored him and instead returned the wave Dr McGinty gave us through the glass doors as he unlocked them for us. ‘In you come. Here, take my arm and let’s get the weight off it a bit,’ he said, offering his arm for me, which I duly took. ‘Honestly, Lorcan. The poor girl is bleeding here. You could have carried her, big lad like you.’ The doctor turned back to me. ‘They say chivalry is dead. I never like to believe that, but the more I see, the more I wonder. Here we go. Let’s get you up here,’ he said, helping me onto a bed in a room equipped for small procedures. ‘Lorcan, give me a hand here, will you? Make yourself useful now, at least. There we go, good lad.’ As he helped me settle onto the couch, I met Lorcan’s eyes. Amusement danced within them.

‘I knew you were going to be trouble,’ he whispered.

A short time later I had four neat stitches in my shin. I’d busied myself with looking around the room while the doctor performed his needlework and thankfully, between him and Lorcan, the chat was continual, which helped keep my mind off the fact a man was sewing a part of my body back together. At one point, Lorcan caught my eye and gave a wink before taking up the conversation again and I realised he was keeping the flow of chatter going for my benefit. Perhaps, as Fiadh had said, underneath the sometimes scratchy exterior there was a good heart. I’d seen flashes of it but then it would disappear again beneath the cool carapace making me doubt what I’d momentarily thought. But there was no doubt here and I was grateful to him for his kindness and concern. He’d been right. I wasn’t used to being fussed over whereas, coming from what sounded like a large family, it came far more naturally to him.

‘Now, I’ve used traditional stitches as I think that’s best with this wound. They’re a little stronger but you’ll need to get them removed in about seven to ten days. How long are you staying with us?’ Dr McGinty asked.

‘Only for the weekend.’

‘Then you’ll need to see your own GP for that. If there’s any problem in the meantime, just give me a call. After that, contact your local surgery, or A & E. Lorcan, I want you to keep an eye on her. Can you do that?’

‘I can try.’