The bank teller gave me a friendly smile. “Morning.” With her glossy brown hair and freckles Connie always managed to look as if she’d had about ten hours sleep. As she counted out my cash, she nodded towards the door. “Has it stopped?”

“For a while, I think.”

She shook her head. “The road from Buncrana was dire this morning. Massive wee puddles the whole way in. I was sure the car was going to give out and I’d have to get out and swim.”

When I sloshed my way back to the office, Marina and Harry were still outside the surgery deep in conversation, so I avoided them a second time.

I was relieved the lights of the office were on and the door opened easily this time when I pushed it. The smell was instantly familiar as I made my way down the narrow hall; an office smell, I supposed, but so different to the American office. This was the scent of paper, of cardboard files, old title deeds, dusty wills, and slightly inefficient heating. It was stale and musty, and some might say not that pleasant, but it brought a lump to my throat. I was telling myself not to be so ridiculous, that I’d only been away for six months after all, when I emerged into the reception area to an excited shout.

“Ben!” Leah was up out of her seat to give me a hug just as Phyllis had done the day before.

The bookseller was a much bulkier woman than Leah, but when I put my arms around my legal assistant, I quickly realized that there was more to her now too. I stood back, holding her at arms-length and saw what I had suspected. She was pregnant. This was what she hadn’t told me.

My face broke into a smile. “Why didn’t you let me know?”

She beamed. “I wanted to tell you face-to-face. I was afraid I’d blurt it out on the phone – that’s why I kept trying to get away.”

I laughed. “I thought I was pestering you. How far along are you?”

She smoothed her top over her neat bump. “About four months – it’s showing sooner than I thought.”

“That’s only because you usually don’t have a pick on you.”

“Not the case anymore! I’ll be a whale soon.”

“Don’t be silly. You look great. It’s lovely news.” I hugged her again. “Congratulations. How is Kevin? Is he thrilled?”

Her face creased into a gentle smile. “He is. It’s helped him get over all the family stuff.”