Imelda smiled, remembering her mother’s words on her first visit to Larkins. Esther’s eyes widened. ‘Imelda! You never tell me the good stuff! What exciting lives you had.’

Henry shook his head. ‘It wasn’t much fun when you were trying to get a decent night’s sleep. But it didn’t last long. Head office had a change of heart and Larkins returned to a holiday haven for families.’

Esther looked disappointed, but Imelda, who remembered that time only too clearly, was keen to change the subject.

‘Have you seen what Billie’s done with the booth?’ she asked Henry.

‘Not yet. But I’ll definitely be there for the grand opening.’

Mabel was beginning to fidget. It was time for her stroll. Esther excused herself to use the ladies before they left, and once they were alone, Imelda took the opportunity to ask Henry what he really thought about the photograph.

‘Billie told me where it came from and that her mother said it was a photograph of her father, but that you couldn’t say who he was.’

‘That’s right. Billie thinks it’s Cillian. He’s right there – centre stage – but who knows?’

Henry sighed. ‘Unlike you, I don’t know who Billie’s mother is, and as I’ve already said, I didn’t know Cillian well. But for what it’s worth I always believed that it was only ever you that he really wanted.’

Imelda was grateful for his kind words, but it seemed now that she would never know the truth. ‘Well, it was a long time ago. I’m not sure that it really matters anymore.’

Henry reached across the table and took her hand in his. ‘Of course it does. Love always matters, no matter how fleeting, how messy, how painful. It always matters.’

When Esther returned, they gathered their things, wrapped woollen scarves around their necks and buttoned up coats against the seafront chill. At the door, they met Treasure. Imelda introduced him to Henry and Esther, and he lifted Mabel into his arms and kissed her head as she wriggled with delight.

‘I was wondering if we could have a chat sometime?’ he asked Imelda. She knew immediately that something was wrong.

‘I’ll be at the booth in the morning,’ she said. ‘Around ten-thirty?’

His tight parting hug did nothing to reassure her.

Chapter 44

Chapter 44

Now

Imelda turned the cards over and over in her hands. Their touch calmed and comforted her. Billie had taken Mabel for a walk along the prom and Imelda was waiting for Treasure. She had asked the cards what was on his mind, but they had, of course, simply confirmed what she already knew. She had checked the cubbyhole as soon as she got to the booth and the asthma inhaler was missing.