She stopped herself from going into detail again. It was an accident, she said simply. He sympathised again.

He asked her what she wanted to do when they got to Trim. She’d check into their hotel first, she said. Then she would go to Emmet’s pub. And then —

Her phone vibrated. Olivia.

Hope all is ok, dear E? Are you in Trim yet? Hazel’s arrived, and we’re all thinking of you. Hope everything’s ok with Lawrence too? xxx

Eliza replied with a brief, truthful message. She was extremely nervous. Lawrence was being very kind.

As they continued driving, she remembered all Olivia had told her about his reasons for coming to Edinburgh. About his wife’s death nearly four years earlier. It seemed important to acknowledge it.

She tried to find the right words. ‘Lawrence, Olivia shared some of your story with me.’ It sounded so clumsy. ‘About your wife. I’m so sorry.’

A moment passed, then he glanced across at her. ‘Thank you, Eliza.’

There was more she could have said. But it seemed right to leave it there, like that, between them.

They passed another sign for Trim, this time directing them to a motorway exit. She knew from her research that it was only a small town. A population of nine thousand. As they came in on a side road, the light changed, as if before a storm, the sky glowing and dark at once. They came around a bend and there was the castle, rising high above the town. It was so unexpected. So majestic.

Lawrence pulled onto the side of the road so there was more time to look at it.

She had researched Trim Castle too. She’d read it was the largest Anglo-Norman castle in Ireland, built over thirty years, from 1176. The facts hadn’t prepared her for its size or beauty.

He asked her what she wanted him to do next.

‘I can drive through the town first, if you want. Help you find the pub you’re looking for?’

She thanked him, but said she thought it might be better if she found it on foot. She knew she needed to be on her own.

Their hotel was across the road from the castle. At reception, she exchanged numbers with Lawrence.

‘What will you do now?’ she asked.

‘Read. Walk. Explore.’ He indicated a black bag over his shoulder. ‘Maybe take some photos.’

‘Lawrence, I don’t know what will happen, how long I’ll be. Whether I’ll —’

‘Eliza, don’t worry about me. Do whatever you need to do. If you need me, message.’