‘But Mum and Dad won’t visit him, and they won’t let me either. They say he’s brought shame on the family. But he’s my brother. He’s a complete bonehead, but he’s still my twin. I can’t just abandon him. He tries to act all cocky like Rooster, but underneath it all he’s still a big kid.’ Nina’s eyes filled with tears again. ‘He’ll be so frightened,’ she whispered.

‘The cards say he’s holding on, but he needs to feel loved. He needs something to hold on for. Can’t you write to him?’ Imelda handed her another tissue and Grisha rested his head in Nina’s lap.

‘I do. But Mum and Dad won’t let me read his replies. They just burn them.’

Imelda gathered up her cards from the table and returned them to their velvet pouch. She could hear Shunty-Mae’s voice warning her not to make the offer she was about to, but she did it anyway.

‘Would you like to ask him to send his letters here, to me? I could keep them for you and you could collect whenever you’re able to.’

_______________________

The café was bustling, and the tables outside were full of customers basking in the burgeoning warmth of the late-spring sunshine. Imelda and Grisha had had a busy morning seeing clients and she was looking forward to a mug of strong tea and a slice of Madeira cake, while he was hoping for a bacon sandwich. Diamond was looking hot and flustered behind the counter, fanning herself with a tea towel, but she greeted them with a broad smile and took their order.

‘Are you ready for the grand opening at Larkins then?’ she asked as she sploshed tomato ketchup onto Grisha’s bacon. ‘That’s all we hear about from our Jeanie these days.’

‘Well, can you blame me?’ Jeanie appeared at Imelda’s side and began gently scratching Grisha behind his ears. ‘It’s the most exciting thing that ever happened in my life!’

The holiday park had been open to a steady trickle of guests for the past few weeks, but the holiday season proper began that weekend, along with a full programme of on-site entertainment. Imelda was to begin regular sessions on Saturday evenings, as well as a couple of afternoons a week.

‘The mermaids’ aquarium was installed yesterday, and I saw them practising. Their costumes are amazing! And Cillian is coming tomorrow to supervise the construction of the Wall of Death.’