‘Because,’ Bridget nodded, tapping her nose, ‘I recall clear as day. Murphy put that fence up the day Niamh was born, when we were all at the hospital. And she’ll be twelve in a little over fifty-eight minutes.’

‘Happy birthday to me,’ said Niamh, taking furtive sips of her hot whiskey. Hannah wondered if she was hoping that no one had noticed she had one.

‘Exactly,’ said Conor. ‘And we’ve Hannah to thank for realising it.’ He pulled her towards him and put his arm round her, placing a kiss on her cheek.

Adrienne beamed and whispered loudly to Bridget. ‘I knew it.’

‘No you did not. You do talk nonsense sometimes.’ Bridget rolled her eyes.

‘What, you’re shagging Hannah?’ said Fergus suddenly.

‘Fergus Liam Kenneth Byrne. Wash your mouth out with soap and in front of Niamh,’ said Adrienne but her eyes were dancing just a little.

‘Thanks, little brother. I think some people might call it walking out with.’

‘I don’t mind,’ said Niamh stoutly. ‘She’s much nicer than Polly.’

‘That she is,’ said Bridget with a smug smile.

‘Which reminds me,’ said Conor. ‘I had a very irate text from Polly accusing me of poisoning you against her.’ He raised quizzical eyebrows at his mother.

Adrienne winced. ‘She wasn’t over pleased when I refused to let her gatecrash the Orchard Party. I’m not sure she could believe it when I had Seamus throw her out.’

‘Polly was here?’ Conor stared incredulously at his mother.

Adrienne shrugged. ‘She wasn’t invited. I certainly wasn’t going to give her preferential treatment.’ She met his gaze. ‘Not anymore.’

‘About time too,’ said Bridget.

Hannah had to smile, as much at the others avidly watching the family in action as the family themselves. She couldn’t blame Polly for wanting to be part of this.

Conor and his mother exchanged a small smile.

‘Right, well, now that we’ve all warmed up, I for one am ready for my bed,’ said Bridget. ‘And we should let these two have some peace and quiet.’ With that she stood up and like a well-trained sheep dog began to chivvy everyone out, interrupting each time someone began a new conversation.

At last, everyone had filed out and Hannah could hear their good-natured chatter disappearing into the night as Conor waved them off at the door. She slumped into the sofa and drained her hot whiskey. Exhaustion suddenly rolled over her, as well as a touch of shyness now that she and Conor were alone. She closed her eyes for a moment and when she opened them Conor was standing in front of her, obviously holding something behind his back.

‘What are you up to?’ she asked.

‘So suspicious,’ he tsked, shaking his head with a mischievous smile.

‘I might have fallen in love with you but I haven’t completely taken leave of my senses. You have that up-to-no-good air about you.’