She did and it was wonderful. Her long walk uphill had made her warm and the sun on her cold face made her think of summer. Maybe this trip wasn’t a wild-goose chase, and if it was, maybe it was fine just to have fun. Grant was always saying she took life too seriously. Well, maybe she’d stop doing that and just go along for the ride. Although maybe he wouldn’t appreciate arranging cover for her absence from the bookshop just for her to have a little winter sun.

Monica lay down next to her. ‘Oh, this is rather blissful, isn’t it? If I told the girls in the band that I’d spent half a week lying on a clifftop in Ireland, in January, they’d think I was mad.’

Laura chuckled, watching a bird cross the sky through half-closed lids. ‘Don’t you think they know that already?’

‘Mm, probably.’

‘It’s funny, all the people I know think I’m incredibly sensible, except for my parents, of course,’ said Laura sleepily. ‘You should have heard my father when I told him I was coming to Ireland. He thought I should spend any time off I had looking for another job.’

‘Well, you are in a way. The festival is another job.’

‘Hm. Not exactly well paid.’

‘I’m not being paid at all. Although I don’t mind. They’re giving the Sisters of Swing a really good spot at the music festival and this –’ she indicated the crisp winter day around them ‘– is just a jolly.’

‘I don’t think my parents would ever understand the concept of “a jolly”.’

‘Jaysus, they should be grateful you’ve got a job and aren’t living off “the burroo”.’

‘You’ve got very Irish all of sudden. What the hell are you talking about?’

‘It’s what they used to call benefits over here. A man on the ferry told me. And I’m practising. I may go home with a leprechaun.’

Laura chuckled. ‘Personally I prefer my men a little taller.’

‘Huh! I didn’t think beggars could be choosers!’

‘I’m not a beggar, I’m just looking for Mr Right.’

‘Big mistake. Mr Right Now is far better. Take it from one who knows.’

Laura laughed. There was something about lying on one’s back in the sunshine that made one inclined to laughter, she discovered. When Monica finally decided she no longer looked like a scarlet woman in all the wrong ways, she ordered them both to their feet. Laura had forgotten about leaving Monica to her embarrassing errand, and got up. They brushed bits of grass off each other’s backs, picked up their bikes, and headed on into the village.