“Father Conroy,” he said. There was a long pause, and he thought, my God, she’s not going to see me. He looked out in despair into the cafeteria, where the old man was taking away his cup and saucer and sweeping the cellophane into the trolley. And then she answered, “Who?”

“Father Conroy.” And he added, knowing himself to be pleading but unable to stop himself. “You remember! Tom! Owen’s brother!”

“Oh! Oh, yes, of course!” But no welcome, no surprise, even.

“I’m in London, I thought of calling out to see you.”

“Oh, do. Yes, that would be nice. Let us know whenever you’re free.”

“Well...” Damn it, he couldn’t back out now. “I’m free today.”

“I see. Would you like to come for tea?”

For tea! It seemed an infinity away. How was he to spend the time waiting?

“We have an Irish priest here, I believe. Father Delaney. I’ll ask him in too. We don’t often have anyone from the old country drop in on us now.”

“Marie!”

“Yes?”

“I wanted to talk to you.”

“To me?”

“Yes. About the family.”

“The family? Oh, your family?” She laughed easily. Was it possible she felt no rancor? He could not believe it. “How are they?”

“Fine.”

“Your mother?”

“Yes.”

“And your big brother, Frank?” Did she remember Frank with his little notebook? Keeping tally of the funeral expenses?

“Marie, it’s your family, your two boys. I’d like to meet them.” What were their names? Quick, for God’s sake! “Would that be possible?”

“Oh, I suppose so. Ian – he’s the younger – is staying here at the moment; he drove over from Aldershot yesterday. He’s a real home-bird, our Ian. The other... I suppose you don’t remember their names?”

“No.”

“Paul is practicing here in Eastbourne. Gynecology, luckily enough – his own keep arriving, like Christmas.” She paused, a small chilly moment. “Irish fashion! Do you want to meet them as well, the mob?”

“No, I don’t think I’ll have time.” It didn’t look so good. And she sounded a pain. Probably didn’t practice either, married in a registry office and aggressive about it. However, he was committed now; there was no backing out. “As a matter of fact, I was thinking of going down this morning, if that would be all right?”

“Just a moment.” There was a conversation off the phone, and he could hear her say, “Yes, this morning.” Then she came back again with, “Sorry, Bill was just going shopping when you rang. That will be all right.”

“Right, Marie.” He didn’t know how to break off.