‘But when it’s right, it’s right. You just know. And I’ve known since the first time I heard this woman sing. I thought – Danny, pal. That’s the girl for you. You need to move fast and lock this one down. And not just as a tour promoter!’

He paused, and they applauded.

‘Now, I believe we’ve got a wedding cake to cut?’

Mrs Mansfield was making furious arm gestures at someone just outside the door; two blushing waitresses quickly wheeled in an enormous white tiered cake, a splat of black musical notes creeping up from the base to sit on a stave, wobbling, two bars sticking it into the littlest cake on top. The Mansfields whistled, the one at Donald’s side calling out, ‘That is some cake, Mum!’

Danny and Clio bumbled out of their seats until they were standing beside the thing. It completely dwarfed Clio – like the speech, it was a cake in search of a bigger wedding. He wrapped his arms round her as the waitress handed him a huge carving knife, and he folded both their hands over it. They tried to smile as three pocket cameras pointed at them across the table at once, as the knife sank in and the stave teetered and pitched off the top, as Danny’s mother lunged forward into the shot to save it.

Danny pulled everything back with a professional chortle.

‘The best-laid plans, eh? Anyway, if I could invite you all to join us for a cocktail on the lovely terrace space upstairs, which I think we’ve got reserved for ourselves for the next couple of hours, I’m sure that cake will be along to help us digest this wonderful meal shortly.’

Cliodhna was just looking at him, silent and faintly amused.

Up on the terrace, Eileen stuck herself to Donald like glue, muttering to him without really moving her mouth.

‘I’m going to have to catch my train soon. Do you think – is it going to look rude? What will they think of me?’

‘I think you need to talk to Cliodhna is what, Eileen.’

‘Och, there’s not time now. I’ll send her a card or something.’

Gently, but with intent, he pulled Eileen across to the corner of the balcony, where Cliodhna was leaning back into the late-afternoon air, her elbows looped under the banister, nodding sweetly at one of the sisters with her eyes half-closed.

‘I’m so sorry – Susie, was it? Would you mind if we had a little family time? Thanks so much.’

Mother and daughter faced each other, both standing silently. He wanted to bump their heads together.