Josephine sighed. ‘Tell me about it, Carmel. Michael’s on the missing list as well, and Declan too. It has to be work. Something that needs sorting sooner rather than later. You’re right to be upset, but I bet you it’s something very important. Patrick worships you, anyone can see that.’

Carmel could see the girl was trying to make her feel better, and she appreciated that. It was kind of her to try and lift her spirits. But Carmel was feeling truly grieved. Josephine was too young and too innocent to understand the life she was getting into. She would soon learn the reality. It was easy to be so cavalier when it wasn’t her husband who had left his own party.

‘Listen to me, Josephine. Michael is just like my old man – he will always put his work first. Unlike most men, the work they are involved in can’t be left till the morning. The world they live in means they are on their guard every second of every day. Literally anything can happen and, when it does, they have no choice but to make sure any problems are sorted, pronto. It means you had better get used to being alone most of the time, get used to worrying that the Filth will somehow take him from you, get used to looking over your shoulder constantly because you never know what the future might hold. You have to learn to look out for number one so that, if the worst does happen, you have made sure you have covered your own arse. It’s a world of illusion, a world of pretending and putting on a front. It’s a world that I really wish I had never entered. It’s a world I craved, and one that I now feel trapped in.’

Josephine was shocked at Carmel’s words – at the vehemence and also the truth of them.

Seeing Josephine’s face, Carmel felt awful, sorry now that she had ever spoken. ‘I’m sorry, Josephine love, take no notice of me. I’m just angry, that’s all. I have a houseful of people, and Patrick has bloody well left me to it, and on our anniversary, if you please.’

Josephine just hugged the woman tightly once more, aware that Carmel regretted letting her guard down, showing her weakness, admitting her unhappiness.

‘Listen, Carmel, I know I come across as a bit wet at times, and I know you have just told me the truth. But I love Michael and, no matter what happens, like you with Patrick, I will always stand by him. So don’t worry about me. I’m stronger than I look!’