There was a collective shiver as people looked at each other. Did I imagine it or was there a special look of suspicion reserved for the outsiders?

“The last thing I will say is that clearly in all the circumstances, Garda McFadden and I are under considerable pressure on a number of different fronts and while we would appreciate any assistance that might be forthcoming, we would also appreciate people not adding to our workload by taking unnecessary journeys or getting themselves into difficulty unnecessarily. That’s all for now. Take care of each other.”

Before he had a chance to stand aside, loud footsteps sounded on the stairs. Everyone turned towards the door as Hal McKinney the undertaker almost fell through it, breathing heavily and loudly. He waved urgently at Molloy, about to take his leave from the top of the room.

Molloy looked down at him. “What’s wrong, Hal …?”

The undertaker finally caught his breath. “It’s McSheffrey’s Bridge. It’s cracked. There’s a big gaping hole where the road used to be.” The man’s eyes were wide with shock. “It just gave way.”

Maeve paled visibly beside me – a bit of a surprise considering she’d just captured a snake. “I’ve just come that way, fifteen minutes ago.” She looked at me. “The road to Malin is cut off. You’re stranded.”

I frowned. “I can go home by Culdaff, though, can’t I?”

She shook her head. “That road’s flooded too. It has been since early this morning. Someone waved me back and I had to do a U-turn and go by Malin. That’ll ebb away at some stage, but it hasn’t yet.” Her eyes narrowed. “Actually, I’ve just realized I’m not going to be able to get back to Moville now either. There’s a tree down on the other road. We’re both stranded.”

My shoulders slumped. “Our little enclave is getting smaller and smaller. It’s just the town now.”

A strange silence fell over the room as if everyone else was absorbing the implications of the latest development too. On Sue’s knee, Peadar dropped his toy onto the floor and started wailing as if he’d picked up on the atmosphere in the room. But his cries broke the silence and a hum of conversation started again.

Then Hal spoke again, from the door, as if he’d recovered himself. “I have a spare room I can offer to anyone who is stranded.”

Someone else stood up. “I have two – the lads are away to Dublin, so I have plenty of spare room. I could even put someone on the couch if they’re stuck. It folds out.”

Another voice came from the front of the room. “I’ve a wee spare room too, with two single beds. And I’ve a granny flat.”