Hannah wanted to reach out and hug him, but wasn’t sure how he’d take it. It hadn’t occurred to her until now that the event held considerable significance or how lucky she was that her visit coincided. ‘I’m sorry, I had no idea.’

‘How would you? It’s Mam’s personal tribute to my da. Her way of showing him what she’s achieved. Lots of past students come to celebrate, from all over the world. Basically, anyone who’s ever been here is welcome. At the last count, I think there were seventy-five acceptances. The table will stretch the whole way down the greenhouse. It’s quite something to behold.’

‘Seventy-five!’

‘Small beer to the Byrnes. We’ve been catering for the five thousand for dozens of years.’ He gave her a confident smile. ‘And everyone pitches in to help. I have to admit, it’s my favourite occasion – like Christmas and every holiday going rolled into one. There’s nothing quite like it.’ She could see the slight sheen of something in his eyes and could tell from his heartfelt tones that it was something special.

‘I feel honoured to be here.’

‘I wouldn’t,’ he grinned at her. ‘Don’t forget you’ll be working just as hard as the rest of us. Mam’s not daft. She’s got free labour and you know you’ll all pitch in because you’ve fallen under the Killorgally spell.’

Hannah laughed. ‘We certainly have.’

‘But it’s a wonderful occasion. You’ll love it.’

‘Do you fancy stretching your legs?’ he asked with a lightning change of subject.

Hannah rolled her shoulders. Despite being on her feet for most of the day and the miserable late afternoon, a walk on the beach was just what she needed. And it might be the perfect place to tell Conor that she was thinking of staying. He’d come back because he loved it here. Surely he’d understand that she too had fallen in love with the place. Funny, she’d never considered that she might like to live near the sea but now she couldn’t think of anything better.

‘Yes. Now?’ She nodded towards the rain-dotted windows ‘Or do you want to wait?’

‘Now,’ he said.

‘OK, I guess we’ll have the beach to ourselves.’

‘We’re not going to the beach,’ he said with a teasing quirk to his mouth.

‘Where then?’ asked Hannah, wrinkling her brow, just a touch disappointed. She might have grown to love the place but she was still a creature of habit; she liked knowing where she was going.

Conor grinned, pleased with himself. ‘It’s a surprise.’

‘You know I don’t like surprises.’

‘You’ll like this one.’ He paused with a cocky smirk. ‘And you liked the last one well enough.’

‘Once I’d got over the shock, yes.’