Suddenly I felt very uncomfortable. I had no idea if he knew I’d seen his brother’s body and I’d probably have to tell him now. “I’m not sure that’s a very good idea …”

But he was gone, striding off to his brother’s car, keys outstretched to zap the alarm, assuming I’d follow him. I noticed his limp was quite pronounced this morning. I sighed and got out of the Mini. It appeared I had no option.

We drove back down the hill towards Glendara. A few cars were stranded in a large body of water at the bottom of the road, appearing to have stalled, with people clustered around trying to help. I was grateful anew to my Mini and its stubborn refusal to be beaten by the weather.

“I suppose that’s one advantage to driving an old car,” I joked feebly. “No electrics.”

But Derek didn’t even look. Instead, he turned on the radio, where the news was just ending. I hoped there would be nothing about his brother’s death, but if there was, we missed it. Instead, the weather dominated.

Donegal is experiencing very heavy rainfall resulting in extensive flooding on roads and damage to property. Inishowen remains the worst affected. Reports are coming in of a number of bridge collapses, trees down and road closures. Road users are advised to take extreme care and not to undertake any unnecessary journeys. In the meantime, updates are available on the RTÉ website.

I glanced across at Derek. “Are you sure this is a good idea?”

But his eyes remained concentrated on the road. “I have to. I need to see it.”

He held the steering wheel with a grim determination, tapping it impatiently whenever we reached another obstacle, and there was no shortage of those this morning. We crossed the bridge at the bottom of the town at high speed, giving me just enough time to snatch a brief glimpse of the river below. It was fuller than I had ever seen it, rusty brown water gushing frighteningly high.

With its cream leather seats, digital dashboard and satnav, the Lexus had all the expensive extras that the Mini lacked, but I’d never have been able to negotiate its bulk. I couldn’t even see the end of the bonnet. Derek, on the other hand, drove as if he knew the car well, and far faster than he should have, considering the weather and the fact that he didn’t know the roads. People with big cars tend to do that, I’ve noticed, behave as if they’re invincible. If you’re closer to the road or in a smaller car, you’re more aware of your own vulnerability.