‘A friend of Laura’s,’ Brigid said, putting his plate under hers, her voice just as light as before. ‘So near enough.’

There was an Indian man singing now, a tune like swirls in water. Cormac was eyeing Matty’s cheek. ‘What happened to your face, there?’

‘You took a tumble, didn’t you?’ Brigid said, standing up with the salad bowl. ‘Up at Glenveagh. I got wind of it and seeing as you’re away from home, I said I’d take you in.’

‘You’re a climber?’ His eyes were a slightly lighter blue than Brigid’s. Wintry.

‘Yeah.’ It wasn’t a total lie.

‘You got pretty beaten up,’ he said, with the same careful, inscrutable tone.

Brigid turned from the sink, looking between them with the slightest confusion as Matty thought of what he’d seen, pale skin and sallow bruises in bathwater. ‘Yeah.’ A cough. ‘Rocks had it in for me.’

He gazed at Matty, one eyebrow a tiny bit lower than the other. The CD had stopped. ‘Well, they can get you. Not that I’d know. You’d never find me scrambling up rock faces. What do you call it, when you do it on your own?’

‘There are different ways. Solo top-roping.’ Easy enough to answer. A couple of the staff at one of the camps in Canada had talked of ascents up teetering cliff-faces.

He nodded, still wary. ‘Well, you’re in good hands. My sister can patch up anyone.’ He stood up. ‘Back to work for me.’

‘To work?’ said Brigid. ‘You’re on a night shift?’

‘Overtime,’ he said. ‘I’m on that case.’

Matty’s throat thickened.

‘Which case?’ Brigid said.

‘Your one up at _______, ’ he said, his correction harsh. ‘You did hear?’

‘Oh, yes,’ said his sister, unfussily. ‘Horrible. I just didn’t know you’d come out this far.’

‘The locals need help on this one,’ he said. ‘Bunch of layabouts.’

There was another half an hour waiting for him to go, making excuses and disappearing to the back bedroom, listening for the car door, the engine. Watching the lights sweep away before returning to the kitchen.

Brigid seemed ready, her hands in the deep pockets of her cardigan.

‘You told him.’ A choked breath.

‘No, I didn’t. I haven’t.’

Matty felt wild, untethered. ‘You – you must have.’ The words were desperate. ‘You kept me here.’

‘No, I haven’t. I promise.’ Her eyes were wide, guileless. ‘You heard what he said. He doesn’t know. He’s not looking for you, or anyone like you.’ She put her lips together, a sympathetic look. ‘I wouldn’t do that.’

‘But you know what I did.’

‘And I know why you did it. I promise, Matty. I’m looking out for you.’

‘I’m going now.’

Brigid didn’t move. ‘Just – take a moment. It’s OK.’