With that she was away in a whirl of today’s floaty linen number in chocolate brown, dressed with glowing amber beads, all of which complemented her auburn hair perfectly. It made Hannah feel slightly exhausted but also inspired. How could a woman who’d worked with food for the last thirty or forty years still retain so much enthusiasm? The woman had the energy of ten. No wonder she managed to accomplish so much. She was amazing and it sounded as if she never stopped learning. That was something Hannah could relate to. She loved going on courses at work, learning new things. Although, she had just realised that in fact she was rather conservative in her choice of courses, always sticking to areas that she felt comfortable with. Apart from this cookery course, when was the last time she’d really pushed herself?

She picked up an egg from her basket and held it up to the sunlight, marvelling at its smooth shape and the delicate matt finish of the shell. For the next fifteen minutes she collected the eggs, picking each one up and staring at it thoughtfully. Eggs, she’d decided, were a miracle. Last week’s course, although difficult, had really opened her eyes. She’d never really connected food and its provenance before. Standing there in the courtyard with the girls pecking and foostering around her, she felt a deep-rooted satisfaction. This felt right. Finding roots to nature. Her understanding of the world around her expanded and she realised just how limited she’d become in her life. Although she was successful in the usual ways – good job, good salary, owning a home – they were colourless in comparison to the life she was leading here. It was a moment of realisation: she wanted more in life.

Breakfast was in full swing when Hannah arrived with the eggs. Jason and Fliss were bickering about a pool game from Saturday evening.

Izzy rolled her eyes. ‘Only they would go out in that weather.’

‘It was a rematch,’ said Jason with his usual cocky grin. ‘And I won, even if Miss Fliss here doesn’t agree.’

‘You won by default. That man jogged my elbow and I potted the black by mistake.’

‘Sore loser.’

‘I’ll beat you next time.’

‘Did you not go to the pub then?’ asked Hannah.

‘No. Wimped out. Couldn’t face going out in that downpour. Meredith invited Alan over and the three of us watched a film on RTE. Dark Lies the Island. I’d have suggested you come on over but Meredith said you were planning an early night.’

Hannah remembered the hastily sent text. ‘Yes. Stayed in. Did a jigsaw.’ Again she reverted to shorthand speak, not wanting to give more away. As an experienced lawyer she always advised clients to say as little as possible. Giving more information than necessary provided openings for questions.