Elle and Penny weren’t allowed to attend on the big night of course, but they routinely sat on the stairs and peeped out at the guests’ arrival at reception below. Women in bright red lipstick and glittering jewellery, looking like peacocks in glorious dresses and shoes that exuded pure sophistication like those women in Dynasty, accompanied by handsome men in smart suits that on closer inspection were usually many of the locals surprisingly scrubbed up for the night.

Once the dancing got underway, the ballroom itself was a riot of colour and music, as the band – a group of part-time musicians from the town – played waltzes and lively jives well into the night.

Penny, who like her mother adored a celebration, had as a four-year old, nicknamed these events ‘sparkle nights’, and the name still stuck. Elle agreed that yes their hotel could indeed throw a sparkling party, but Mulberry Bay was just a small town, a tiny community, really. Imagine the likes of such an event in Wexford, or in Dublin even? She could only guess at how sophisticated a party – a proper event – in a big city would be, but one day she was determined to find out.

‘Isn’t it amazing?’ breathed Elle now, as she watched the boat sail away, fascination thick in her voice.

Penny looked out toward the horizon and shrugged. ‘It’s just a big boat.’

Elle turned to her little sister, a look of amazement on her face. ‘It isn’t just a big boat, Penny. It’s amazing. It’s like a living thing. Can you imagine the places it’s gone? The people who have sailed on it, the adventures it’s been in?’ She wrapped her arms around herself and proceeded to rub her elbows, warding off goose bumps. ‘It just screams excitement.’

Penny considered her sister’s words and turned around, squinting as the setting sun hit her in the face. She shrugged again. ‘Like I said, it’s just a boat.’

‘I can’t believe we’re sisters. Where’s your sense of adventure? You’re just like Mum and Dad. Sometimes I wonder if I’m adopted,’ Elle tisked. Not waiting for a response, she continued. ‘Oh, I wish I was on that boat. I’m destined to see the world. To live a big adventurous life. To get out of here.’

Penny cocked her head, seemingly confused. ‘What’s wrong with here?’ she enquired, genuinely curious.

This time Elle was the one who shrugged. ‘It’s fine I suppose. It’s just . . . I don’t know. It’s so small, isn’t it? Like everyone who lives here has been here forever. It’s as if none of them know that there is this big, huge world out there. Or if they do, they don’t care. I just know that I’m not meant for this place. And as soon as I can, I’m leaving Mulberry Bay, you know.’