He could hear the English in her voice, now – a sort of stretching of her o-sound. He’d been conscious of his own accent returning since he’d been home after years around Anouli. Funny things, voices. The way they would adjust themselves without your knowledge in different company.

‘Never really took to a city myself. Prefer the open road. Big spaces.’

‘Yeah.’

Cliodhna was staring at her fingers. He’d hoped she’d be a chatty one, the sort of woman who could keep a conversation running, but she seemed to want him to do all the work. His foot spasmed out and kicked the box he’d been storing under the table.

‘Oh! Here! Here! I have a present for you. Very special. Here!’

He bent down to pull it out, felt the dizzy pins swishing in his head and had to pause, folded in half like a fool. The box was so big he had to get out of the chair again to hand it to her.

‘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?’