‘Oh, there’s Rob,’ Penny said suddenly, perhaps to change the subject or just to needle her. She couldn’t tell. Either way, simply the sound of the name had an unnerving effect. Even after all this time.

All those years ago she’d tearfully said goodbye to Rob Callahan at the bus stop outside Pebbles Café on Main Street, promising to return for good when she’d finished college in Dublin. But she hadn’t. She’d written him a letter instead, begging him to leave and move to the city too.

But Rob wouldn’t go. He had told Elle that he wouldn’t be the same man if he left the small town where his heart and family belonged. And this sense of loyalty appeared to have worked for him, Elle realised, studying him now. He did look much the same man as he had all those years ago; broader across the shoulders, creased around the eyes, skin darkened from time spent outdoors, but the same Rob. Same dark twinkling eyes, same dimple on his left cheek. She wondered if her teenage self was also still visible, if despite the years he could look at her now and see the girl he had once loved.

Elle mentally slapped herself. It was the whole weight of the day making her think such maudlin thoughts. It had been a teenage fling: that was all. Rob Callahan probably had a wife now and a tribe of kids. She had stubbornly refused to ask after him after they broke up, and over the years had purposely tuned out if her mother ever mentioned him.

‘He’s coming over,’ said Penny.

Elle flushed despite herself. ‘Yes, I can see that, thank you.’

Rob didn’t bother with platitudes, but moved in smoothly to kiss Elle’s cheek. She got a second of his sharp, woody smell, before he stepped back and turned to Penny.

‘Holding up?’ he asked softly, squeezing her arm.

Her sister nodded wordlessly, overcome by fresh emotion.

‘Your mother was a legend,’ he said. ‘My Friday nights won’t be the same without her.’

‘What Friday nights?’ asked Elle, surprised.

‘Oh, I always came up on a Friday night, for Anna’s famous roast chicken and mash spuds. Kept up with all the news,’ he added, and looked at Elle in a way that let her know that she had been part of this ‘news’ now and again.

‘We’ve had some great times over dinner, haven’t we?’ whispered Penny, her eyes shining. ‘I know Mum loved seeing you too, enjoyed you teasing her.’