There was nothing else to say for now. No farewell. Eliza stayed where she was until Sheila had walked out of sight.

*

Lawrence was waiting in the hotel foyer at ten a.m., as they’d arranged. When she walked in from outside, her hair and clothes damp from the mist, his expression changed. ‘Is everything okay?’

She shook her head. She told him something unexpected had happened. That she needed to stay an extra night. ‘I know you need to be back in Edinburgh. Please, go ahead. I’ll get back another way.’

‘If you need to change our plans, we can change them.’

‘Lawrence, it’s not part of your job. You can’t miss another day.’

‘Eliza, I’m here on behalf of Olivia. We’ll do whatever you need to do.’

She didn’t go to her room. She needed people around her, the bustle of a hotel foyer. She took out her phone to ring Olivia, Maxie or even Rose. She put it away again. She couldn’t talk about it yet.

Across the foyer, she saw Lawrence with the receptionist, changing their room bookings. He’d said he’d take care of the ferry booking too.

What did she do now? There was a whole day to fill. She couldn’t stay here. Where could she go?

*

Lawrence came back over to her. Everything was organised, he said. It had been no problem.

She began to apologise again.

‘Please, Eliza. You don’t need to say sorry.’

‘But what will you do now?’ she asked. ‘With an unexpected day here?’

‘I asked the receptionist for some tips. Where the nearest, wildest scenery is.’ He’d already taken plenty of photos of the castle and tower the day before, he told her. The receptionist had recommended a trip to the Wicklow Mountains. Lakes, streams and forests, just over an hour away.

She asked even before he could offer. ‘Can I please come?’

They drove in silence at first. Her thoughts were anything but quiet. She couldn’t seem to take it all in yet. She was still too shocked.

She was grateful again for Lawrence’s peaceful company. For the radio playing at low volume. An Irish classical station, gentle piano music. Her eyes kept filling with tears. She stared out of the window, trying to hide them from Lawrence.

She had never thought the truth would be anything like this. Her father had been a married man. A father of four. He had wanted to meet her. She thought of the lies her mother had told to stop it from happening. Why, Mum? Why? She thought of the look in Sheila’s eyes. It had felt like hatred.