Ruby had been right – Vivienne was not to be underestimated. She was clever, calculating and cold-blooded. Imelda could make sure that she never came near Grisha again, and she would happily take her chances if Vivienne tried anything with her. If fact, she would welcome it. But the thought of her hanging around Cillian – and especially his bikes – was now a cause for serious concern. Who knew how far she was prepared to go to get what she wanted and to punish those who tried to prevent her? Perhaps Cillian had been wise not to reject her outright.

‘And what does Mr Cillian Byrne have to say about it?’

Imelda swore that her mother could read her mind sometimes. ‘He says she’s just a kid with a crush on him. That she’ll get bored eventually.’

Alexei shrugged. ‘He may well have more to say than that when he finds out that she deliberately tried to poison his girlfriend’s dog.’

‘Am I his girlfriend?’ Imelda genuinely wasn’t sure if either of them had consciously made that commitment yet. But she rather hoped they had.

‘I saw you kissing in the kitchen. In my book, you’re practically engaged.’

_______________________

The taxi dropped Imelda at the gates of Larkins just before 11 p.m. She had spent most of the evening trying to decide whether to go to the disco or not. Shunty-Mae had been adamant that she should. ‘Show that snooty gobshite that her threats are as feeble as a few snowflakes falling on a bonfire.’ But Alexei had said that it must be his daughter’s decision alone. Imelda had rehearsed every possible scenario in her head to see which one played out the most favourably. She couldn’t tell Cillian about Grisha tonight. She didn’t know how he would react, and she couldn’t risk a confrontation of any sort. He was there to prevent trouble, not start it. And would Imelda be able to control her own rage face to face with Vivienne? She had told Ruby that she would be there to support her, and she had already let her down. In the end she decided that she would risk the eleventh hour only, like a contradictory Cinderella. Just in time to grant Cillian’s wish.