‘So. So. I bought these for you years ago. They were supposed to be a twenty-first present – well, better late than never, eh? But I kept them with me all that time. I mean, some of the time they were in your stepmother’s house, but I made sure she handed them over when I left. What do you think?’

She’d pulled one of them out, was holding it up.

‘Cowboy boots?’

‘Aye. Well, for women. Cowgirl boots, maybe? But they’re good ones. Handmade – lot of really intricate stitching in there. I had them made specially for you, too. One of the finest craftsmen in Austin. In Texas. While we were playing a festival there. And I thought the purple was sort of unusual. I mean, I didn’t know your size so I just told them to go for a sort of women’s medium. If they don’t fit I – well, I can’t really take them back now, can I?’

She smiled. ‘They’re nice. Thanks.’

‘Why not try them on. Let’s see if they fit.’

‘Here?’

‘Sure! Why not here? Nobody’s looking.’

She fumbled at her feet, untied the laces on the shoes she was wearing. The waiter came over and Malcolm wanted to wave him away, but Cliodhna seemed to jump at the chance, curling her stocking soles under the table.

‘I’ll just have some chips, please.’

‘No, no – have more than that. You need to eat more. How about the steak? Eh? That looks good! Two steaks.’

‘I’m a vegetarian, Malcolm. Just the chips, please.’

‘Well, let me get you a big good drink, instead. You know what? This is a celebration, isn’t it! A family reunion. We’ll have a bottle of champagne!’

‘No. Come on.’

‘Nonsense, nonsense. A bottle of champagne, buddy.’

‘And the steak, sir?’

‘Well, no. No. I’ll just – aye, I’ll just have some chips too. Chips and champagne! That’s a song title right there for you!’

‘And a jug of water please. Tap water.’

The waiter drifted off.

‘Look, Malcolm. You don’t need to do that – you don’t need to feel that you have to spend a lot of money or anything. If you’ve not got it.’

He waved her off, embarrassed, wished she’d stop.

‘I’m fine. I’m fine. Got it covered.’ He winked, tried to slap the charm on her. ‘Come on, beautiful. Let’s see those boots on you, eh?’

It came out wrong and they both winced, but she pulled the boots on under the table, stuck a leg through the drapes for him to see.

‘How do they feel?’

‘Roomy, but that’s OK. I’ll wear them with big socks.’

‘You will wear them?’

‘I will.’

‘Because it was quite a travail bringing them over, let me tell you. I’d hate to think they were just going to gather dust.’

‘I’ll wear them. I’ll wear them onstage tomorrow.’

‘Tomorrow?’

‘Aye. I’m playing a couple of tunes tomorrow at Princes Street Gardens. The big bandstand.’