‘I am not a mistake.’ Eliza’s voice was clear and loud. Sheila shushed her, pulled at her arm again. She shook it off. ‘My mother told me all my life how loved I was. How much she wanted me. How much better her life was because of me. She never said my father ruined her life. She always said she was glad she met him, otherwise she wouldn’t have had me. She didn’t tell me who he was, but she was going to. When I was old enough to understand.’

‘And then what? What would you have done?’

‘What I’ve done now. I’d have come to Ireland and tried to meet him.’

‘I wouldn’t have let it happen. If you’d turned up when he was still alive —’

‘He wanted to meet me. It was my mother who stopped that from happening.’ Eliza was still trying to make sense of it. Out of nowhere, a memory of something her mother had once said flashed into her mind. ‘I never wanted to share you.’

‘You have to leave, Eliza.’ Tears had appeared in Sheila’s eyes. ‘I’m not an evil woman. I’m not. I’ve been the best mother I could. Tried to be the best wife. But for what? Hugh dead. Three of my four boys away. Emmet’s here but Dervla can’t stand me. And I can’t stand her. I think she’s spoilt and selfish. If she hadn’t broken it off with Emmet, none of this would have happened. She’s as much to blame as your mother.’

‘No. You can’t blame her. Or me. Or my mother. If anyone is to blame, it’s your husband, Sheila. My father.’ The words felt like ice in her mouth. ‘He was the adult. My mother was only twenty-one.’

It was as if she hadn’t spoken. Sheila gazed around as if she was astonished to find them where they were. She looked old. Exhausted. Eliza felt something tilt. As if the energy around them had been sucked out of the air. She was exhausted too. But she needed to say something else.

‘I’m going to talk to Emmet again, Sheila. Hear his memories of my mother. I need —’

‘Not yet. Please. Let me tell him first. Tell him everything. You owe me that.’

‘No, I don’t. I don’t owe you anything.’

‘Please, Eliza. Give me until tomorrow to tell him. Then you can talk to us together. At my apartment. In private.’

Eliza turned around. A group of people was coming in, led by a guide. The castle must have opened. ‘I’m going back to Scotland today.’

‘Can’t you stay one more night? Please. I need time with Emmet.’

Eliza thought about it. She nodded.

Sheila asked for her phone number. ‘I’ll send you a message. After I’ve told him.’