She didn’t move out of his way. She wore fluffy slippers like Mam’s and a flowered apron over her jumper and skirt. She was smoking.

‘Excuse me …’

She took the cigarette out of her mouth.

‘Have you come to see her?’

A jerk of the head up towards the window.

‘Yes.’

‘I thought I’d seen you here before. You’re only just in time.’

‘In time?’ His heart bumped.

‘She’s getting out.’

‘Out?’

‘That’s what I said.’

‘But …?’

‘I know nothing. I don’t care. Just as long as she gets out.’

She moved slightly to one side to let him pass. He ran up the stairs and knocked on Kathleen’s door.

‘Who is it?’

‘Joe.’

He heard her walk across the room and unlock the door. She opened it slowly and stood looking at him.

‘Yes,’ she said. Her voice was cold. ‘What do you want?’

He wouldn’t have recognised her if he’d seen her in the street. Except for her clothes. He’d have known them. Her hair had been cut short like a man’s. Her face was swollen. One of her eyes was almost closed.

‘What … what’s the matter? What’s happened? How …?’

‘Don’t you know?’

‘Kathleen … What’s happened? Your face. Why are you going away?’

‘Your brother has nice friends.’

He started to cry. Huge, hot tears rushed up through his entire body and burst out of his eyes.

‘I … I … I …’

She looked at him helplessly for a moment.

‘Come in.’

She shut and locked the door behind them. Two cases waited on the floor and a third was still open on the bed.

‘I have to catch the Dublin bus.’

‘But …’

She began to pack books into the top of the case. Her back was to Joe, her movements quick and neat, as always.

‘I’m only bringing my clothes and books. I don’t want anything else. I don’t want to see or touch any of these things again. I’ve thrown out all the clothes I was wearing yesterday when they … when … if I’d the money, I’d throw out everything I owned yesterday. Everything. Here.’ She picked up a book from the bed and handed it to him. ‘I’ve always meant to give you that.’

‘Kathleen …’

‘I didn’t want you to come. I wanted to go away from here hating everyone very much.’

‘I came to say I’m sorry. Please don’t go … please. I’m sorry. I’m sorry.’

She shut the lid of the case and turned and looked at him. On the table beside her an ashtray was full of butts.

‘Why did you do it? You?’