‘And this way I can drive myself to college,’ she’d said, ‘instead of relying on my parents for a lift.’

‘Jesus, what’s wrong with the bus?’ he’d laughed, and she’d liked the way he kept looking at her, waiting for her reaction.

‘I’ll take the bus sometimes. But when I’m in training, I have to be at the pool for like six a.m. That’s too early for the bus—’

‘Wait, so you’re an athlete?’

She’d guessed he’d be impressed by that, and it was gratifying to feel his attention as she’d detailed how she’d been swimming competitively since she was ten years old, how she was hopeful of making the university swim team.

‘So how often do you train?’ he’d asked, and she’d listed the early morning starts, getting an hour in before school, as well as two evenings a week and racing at weekends.

‘That’s some commitment,’ Ross had said. ‘I remember what it was like when I was your age.’

‘You were an athlete?’

‘Rugby,’ he answered. ‘I played for Terenure. Tried out for Leinster once.’

‘Really?’

‘Yeah. Back in the day.’

‘What position did you play?’

‘Hooker.’

‘I’ll bet you were good.’ She glanced across at him, a coy smile playing on her face. ‘I’ll bet all the girls were mad about you.’ She couldn’t believe how daring she was, and a little thrill had shot through her as he’d grinned bashfully and pointed to the steering wheel, saying: ‘Here. Eyes on the road, young lady.’

They’d talked about school, about the subjects she was taking, about her impatience to be finished with that part of her life so she could start university, adulthood, independence. He’d sighed wistfully and said:

‘God, I envy you. All that you’ve ahead of you.’

‘The parties, the booze, the drugs, the endless shagging,’ she’d teased him.

My God! Had she really said that? The man was forty years old! In her world, that was ancient.

‘I’d say you’re already covered on at least three of those,’ he’d remarked, deadpan, and just for an instant, they were back in that bedroom, her naked body beneath the covers, the air between them holding the silence, but something was communicated all the same.