Donald looked up at Clio’s tone. She was leaning forward to her mother. He wanted to wrap her up in his coat, right there.

Eileen’s granite-locked war-face had descended.

‘No, no, that’s— No. It’s a— it’s too far for you to come. No no. Don’t do that. It wouldn’t be a good idea.’

Clio flopped, her shoulders sank, as though she’d been slapped. For the second time that day, Eileen reached out a hand towards her then thought the better of it.

‘I mean, we could maybe meet somewhere else. Just you and me and Danny. Maybe I could hop on the train to Ayr or something. Glasgow, even. Meet you there. Wee day trip.’

Cliodhna’s face was all gratitude. Eileen began fumbling in her handbag.

‘Here. Here. I brought you a wee thing. Just a wee thing. I didn’t know what to get youse for a wedding present, see.’

She held out a little box.

‘It was my mother’s. I always felt bad she’d never really got the chance to know you, when you were little. I mean, it’s no much, but I thought it would be nice for you to have it.’

Cliodhna was blinking back tears as she lifted the sparkling brooch up to the fading light.

‘And I’d thought you could’ve maybe worn it as your something old but, ach, it’s too late for that now.’

Eileen looked away. Her daughter’s voice was very controlled as she responded.

‘Thank you. I’ll take good care of it. Don’t you worry.’

‘Well. It’s not worth anything, probably. Tin and paste. But, you know. Nice to have.’

Across the terrace, Donald noticed Mrs Mansfield with her arm around one of her daughters, laughing and stroking back hair from her face. Finally, Eileen reached out a hand, delivered a tiny pat on Cliodhna’s arm.

‘So I’ll see you then, Cliodhna Jean.’

‘Aye, Mum. Aye.’

On their way down the stairs, Donald and Eileen had to flatten themselves against the wall as the young waitress puffed up carrying a massive plate laden with carved-up black and white cake.

‘I’ll walk you to the station?’ he asked when they finally got out of there, handing her one of the two cigarettes he’d just lit.

‘Och no, Donald Bain. You get back in there and enjoy the party. She ought to have someone there for her, eh now.’

‘Aye. Here, that was a nice thing you did up there, Eileen. It meant a lot to her, I could tell. A lovely wee gift to start her married life with.’

‘Well. We’ll see. We’ll see how long all that lasts, shall we. She’s marrying up and no mistake there.’

‘Now. Cliodhna’s a good lassie.’