‘Good for you,’ said Izzy, clapping her across the shoulder. ‘I can’t imagine living in a city. I love the castle. I just hope I can make it earn enough money to keep the ruddy place going.’

‘I’ve never imagined living in the country before.’

‘I think Killorgally has some magical influence. I’d like to make the castle like this, a place where you feel at home but at the same time also part of something bigger. Coming here has given me so many ideas, especially the way your cottage has been done with those lovely homely touches.’

‘Me too. It’s made me realise that my flat is not really much of a home. I won’t be sad to leave it, whereas, well, the cottage… I will be a little bit heartbroken to leave but,’ she smiled at Izzy, ‘I can look for my own little cottage.’ The thought thrilled her and she was already thinking of the sorts of things that would be on her house-buying shopping list. An open fireplace, a kitchen-diner – or the potential to create one – a front garden and a back garden and a bathroom big enough for a shower with a magic button. A lump chose to appear in her throat as another thought slipped through. Conor would have been able to give her some good advice and suggestions. She ignored it and said, brightly, ‘Adrienne has a friend who has a place I can rent for a few months while I sort myself out.’

The rest of the morning passed in a blur of activity as she and Izzy polished the cutlery which was a random selection of antique silver, some of which needed a good clean. While some of the place settings were stored in their original wooden boxes with velvet linings, there were also job lots in open boxes which meant Hannah had to hunt down the different styles to create matching sets. They also had to sort through a pile of neatly ironed linen napkins, some with pretty embroidery, others plain in pastel shades, and more in delicate faded floral prints, and had great fun choosing which of the assorted napkin rings to use.

‘What about this?’ asked Izzy as she posted a pale-blue napkin through a sea shell-adorned ring.

‘Very seaside. I’ve got a floral theme going on here,’ said Hannah, picking out a bright-yellow linen square and a wooden napkin ring decorated with a large felt sunflower.