“That’s great. It’s good to see you.” It was genuinely good to see McFadden’s smiling face about town. I hadn’t seen him in Glendara since he’d left to go to rehab for a gambling addiction over a year ago, although I had run into him in court in Letterkenny once when he’d been re-stationed there. “I’m sure you’re glad to be back.”

“Aye, I am.” He narrowed his eyes curiously. “I heard you went off to America.”

“I did. Just a six-month stint. Back now though.” I looked at the ground. “So, the old team are back together then?” I hadn’t told anyone about Molloy’s proposal, not even my friend Maeve, so I didn’t know why I felt so uncomfortable mentioning him. Only a few people had even known that we’d been together.

McFadden frowned before he realized what I meant, confirming that my embarrassment was all in my head. “Oh, you mean Molloy.” He smiled. “Aye, I suppose you could say that.”

Before I could ask anything else, I was forced to hop to one side as a cyclist wheeled her bike past. McFadden’s eyes followed her with ill-disguised irritation.

“What’s going on with all the bikes?” I asked.

“Ach, it’s one of them Malin to Mizen charity cycles,” he said. “In aid of Alzheimer’s or dementia or some such. Some class of a nursing home down the country, I think.”

Malin Head to Mizen Head was a popular route for charity drives and cycles, being the most northerly and southerly points in Ireland. McFadden pointed to a large banner which I’d somehow missed, attached to two telephone poles and stretched across the main street.

The Amazing Grace Malin to Mizen Charity Cycle. 23rd–27th April. 5 days – 120 km per day! In aid of the Jameson Grace Homes and the Jameson Grace Charity for Alzheimer’s and Dementia.

He followed my gaze. “‘Amazing Grace’ is a bit of a stretch. They’re not even going by Lough Swilly. They’re going down to Quigley’s Point, Muff and Derry.” He shook his head mournfully. “Decided not to point that out to them.”

I grinned. The story was well known locally. It was said that John Newton, a sailor in the slave trade, had a Road-to-Damascus moment when his ship was tossed about on rocks during a violent storm on the shores of Lough Swilly about ten miles from Glendara. He’d pleaded for God’s help and when he came ashore safely, believed his prayers had been answered, after which he resolved to live a better life. The ship was repaired, and they were able to continue their journey. Newton had become a clergyman and written the hymn “Amazing Grace”.