‘It was over fifteen years ago now. She drowned in a pond. She was only four. Are you quite sure that she’s happy?’

‘Absolutely. She’s with her granddad, and she loved him very much, didn’t she?’

The woman bit her lip. ‘May I ask you another question?’

‘Of course.’ Imelda gathered up the cards and passed them over.

‘Has my husband forgiven me?’

The cards described a solid marriage inexorably eroded by internal anger. Furious words were followed by fewer and fewer conversations until meaningful communication between husband and wife was all but lost. The love had always remained, but sadly unspoken.

‘Did you blame your husband for your granddaughter’s death?’

The woman shifted uncomfortably in her seat. ‘He was supposed to be watching her. They were in our garden and he was pruning the rose bushes. But he was supposed to be watching her too. I did blame him. Never in so many words, but he knew that I believed it was his fault. He was so angry with himself – and eventually with me too. Millie was gone; there was nothing we could do about that. But we should have been there for each other instead of allowing it to drive us apart. I just want him to know that I’m sorry.’

‘Why now?’ Imelda was curious. ‘Why now, after so long?’

‘Today would have been our golden wedding anniversary.’

After the woman had gone, Imelda sat turning the ring on her finger. She wondered why it was that so often people left important things unsaid until it was too late. She wished now that she had told Cillian she loved him before he left. He had rung her a couple of times from a payphone in the local pub, but their brief conversations had been overheard and punctuated by beeps signalling that the money was running out. Imelda consoled herself with the knowledge that he would be back in Brighton tomorrow. She would tell him then.

_______________________

She was surprised to see Ruby in the café at lunchtime chatting excitedly to Jack and Diamond. As soon as Imelda pushed open the door, Ruby waved her over to join them.

‘You’ll never guess what’s happened.’

‘I’m sure I shan’t. But something to cheer me up would be nice after my last client.’

Diamond was unable to contain herself. ‘Well this is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. That bloody pervert at Larkins has got the sack!’

‘And about time too!’ added Jack, slapping the counter in satisfaction with the flat of his hand.

‘Marty? When?’ Imelda needed details. Grisha groaned softly. He needed a sausage roll.