“We can buy a smaller house,” I said. “In Bayside maybe.They’re not as expensive there.”

But Brendan had already put the deposit down. It meant a lot to him, our address. He said I wouldn’t understand because I hadn’t grown up in a three-bed council house in Edenmore.

He told me not to worry. I worried anyway.

The phone stops ringing. Then a click, and Brendan’s monotone. “We’re not in. Leave a message.”

“You could sound a bit more...” I said when he recorded the message.

“A bit more what?”

“Well...interested, I suppose.”

I don’t remember what he said to that. Nothing, I expect.

I hang up. Dad smiles at me and says, “Did I ever tell you about the time Frank Sin—”

“Dad?”

“Yes, love?”

“What would you say if I told you we were going on a little trip?” This is crazy. I can’t go. I have too much to do here. Too many responsibilities. Besides, I’ve got no change of clothes. Or even a toothbrush.

“But what about your mother?” Dad asks. “She has to come with us.”

I scan the front of the terminal building. Maybe Iris will come out? She seemed stunned when I left. She was probably expecting me to do something. What should I do?

THINK.

I can’t just get on a boat. What about Dad? And the girls? They’re both under pressure at the moment; Kate with her play debuting in Galway next week, and Anna, in the last year of her politics and philosophy course. Studying for her finals.

Brendan told me not to ring him at work unless it’s an emergency.

“GoldStar Insurance, Brendan Shepherd’s office, Laura speaking, how may I help you?”

“Oh, hello... I...”

“Is that you, Mrs. Shepherd?”

“Well, yes, yes it is, I—”

“I’m afraid Brendan is in a meeting and he—”

“I’m...sorry, I don’t want to disturb him, but I need to...could you...”

“Certainly, one moment please.”

“Greensleeves.” It sounds soothing after the brisk efficiency of Laura Muldoon. She’s worked there for years. Brendan says he couldn’t manage without her. His right-hand woman he calls her.

A second round of “Greensleeves,” and still no sign of Iris.

Part of me knows for a fact that she is on the boat. That’s what she said she was going to do, so it seems likely that that’s what she’s done. Still, I look for her at the main door of the building. Just in case.

“Terry?” Brendan sounds worried. “What is it? Is everything okay?”

“Well, no, but, I—” What to say, exactly?

“Are the girls all right?”

“Yes, yes, they’re fine, it’s just—”

“I’m in the middle of an important meeting. The Canadians arrived this morning. Remember?”

“Yes, of course.” How could I have forgotten about the Canadians? Brendan has talked of little else but this takeover for months now. There’s talk of rationalization. He’s worried about his staff. Losing their jobs.

“Can you print out last week’s bordereaux on the financial services portfolios?” Brendan asks.