I looked up. Whizzing by us, at quite the pace, were at least fifty bikes, the cyclists dressed in bright shades of Lycra. Many of them were smiling, finally inhaling some fresh air. Molloy wound down his window so we could hear the hum of the spokes and I found myself smiling too. There was something uplifting about such a kaleidoscope of color after the grey days just past.

We waited until they had all gone, the big truck which had carried the bikes bringing up the rear along with two minibuses and a motorbike. I checked the rider, but I was sure it wasn’t Jude. I presumed it was the second paramedic, who must have been staying in Malin Head.

I supposed it was a good thing that they’d decided to do all or some of the cycle after all. If the Jameson charity was being investigated properly, then hopefully any money raised would go to the right source, maybe even to improve conditions in the homes. As I watched them depart, leaving Inishowen for good, something snagged at my thoughts, but it would have to wait. I was needed at the office.

As expected, the afternoon’s appointments were mostly issues with insurance claims arising out of the floods. I listened carefully to each story and took detailed instructions from each client, but my mind kept drifting back to that corridor outside the mortuary and the expression on Mary’s face when she realized that Bob’s remains would be going with his family. Though she must have expected it, it was the embodiment of absolute grief on her face that I couldn’t forget. There were many people who disliked Bob Jameson, but Mary had loved him. Having observed Amanda at close range, I suspected that other than Derek, she might very well have been alone in that. I hoped Derek had done what I’d suggested and called Phyllis.

By half past five I’d made up my mind to see for myself how Mary was doing. But when I got into the car, I found myself turning towards Mamore rather than the B & B. Maybe it was a touch of cabin fever again or maybe it was because I hoped the drive would help me to clear my head before I spoke to her, but I found myself driving the whole way out to the Gap.