‘It’s fine, it’s fine.’ Imelda took a deep swallow of her drink. ‘With Cillian? Who can say? We were only together for a very short time. I thought we were in love. I know I was. I’ve never felt that way about anyone, before or since. But if he is Billie’s father, then he lied to me. He betrayed me.’

‘Do you think he is?’ Esther was serious now.

‘I don’t know what I think. I can only tell you that back then, I would have trusted him with my life.’

‘And now?’

Imelda’s hesitation was infinitesimal. ‘The same.’

Henry topped up their glasses. ‘It must be hard for you having Billie around,’ he said.

‘Billie is a mixed blessing,’ Imelda replied. ‘If she is Cillian’s daughter, then she has brought a little of him back to me, and whatever the circumstances, I’ll treasure that. But if she isn’t, it means that what I had with Cillian might just have been as perfect as I’d always believed it to be. Until Billie’s mother sullied it with doubt. But either way, we’ll probably never know.’

Esther frowned. ‘But you know who her mother is. Can’t you make her tell you?’

‘Billie’s mother is a clever woman. She knew full well that I would never break a confidence shared while I was reading her cards. She knew that I would always honour the rules of my profession. I can’t use what she told me to find out more than she’s willing to share.’

Esther sighed. ‘You’re a good woman, Imelda. My clients are always telling me their secrets in the salon. But it’s a bit like those people who pick their noses while driving thinking that no one will notice because they’re in a car. A secret shared in the salon might just as well be broadcast on local radio.’

Imelda laughed. ‘That’s hardly your fault. You only promise coiffures, not confidentiality.’

Henry poured the last of the prosecco into their glasses. ‘It must have been heartbreaking for Billie’s mother. I can’t imagine how it would feel to leave your child in a doorway and walk away.’

‘That’s because you have a heart,’ Esther retorted. ‘Not everyone does. Did you ever want children, Henry?’

‘I never really thought about it. When Jocelyn and I got together things were different. Adoption would have been our only option and we weren’t considered to be “suitable parents”.’

Imelda realised with relief that she had dodged answering the same question. Henry checked his watch.

‘Come along ladies, drink up. We don’t want to miss our train!’

Chapter 51

Chapter 51

1973