‘Five thermometers,’ he said. ‘No problem.’

‘That’s it,’ Duggan said, slapping him on the upper arm. ‘Good man yourself.’

Chapter Twelve

‘Good man yourself,’ Duggan said, as Barr laid two plates of breakfasts onto the table in front of them before heading back up to the service area for the rest. Tony, just arrived back from the toilet, felt a pang of guilt at the manner in which the young man was being treated, and the eagerness with which he accepted such treatment.

‘I’ll give him a hand,’ he said to no one in particular, and followed Barr to the food counter.

He was standing, his wallet in hand, pulling out two twenty-pound notes, his legs apart in order to accommodate the increased swaying of the boat as they made their way out into the Irish Sea.

‘I’ll just get your tea. Do you need a receipt, love?’ the cashier asked.

‘No thanks,’ Barr said, pushing the crinkled tenner change she’d handed him back into his wallet.

‘Yes, he will,’ Tony said. The younger man looked at him. ‘You shouldn’t be paying for our dinners,’ Tony explained. ‘Claim that off your uncle. Or whoever is paying for this.’

‘I don’t mind,’ Barr said. ‘It’s a real honour, meeting you all. Mr Duggan’s a legend. I mean, you’re all legends, but–’

‘I’m no legend, son,’ Tony said. ‘I clean the church twice a week to fill my days.’

Barr didn’t disagree. ‘Uncle Sean said to make sure you were all well looked after. We appreciate what you’re doing here. It’s not easy.’

We, Tony thought. He was learning the political lingo already, despite his youth.

‘It’s the right thing to do,’ Tony said. ‘Even if it is dragging up some memories I’d rather have forgotten.’

They waited until the cashier came back with three small pots of tea that she placed on a second tray, which Tony lifted and followed Barr. The younger man stopped near an empty table, the swell of the sea shifting the boat. He leaned his arm on the back of the seat to steady himself. Tony drew alongside and waited for the swell to subside a little.

‘I don’t think Mr Duggan likes me,’ Barr asked, as if finally feeling he could articulate his deepest concern to someone.

‘Do you care?’ Tony asked, a little needlessly for it was clear that the youth did. ‘Hugh can be prickly. Give it time. And for God’s sake stop calling him Mr Duggan.’

Barr smiled, nodding curtly, then continued on with the tray to where the others sat.

Hugh had already eaten half his breakfast fry while Karen had cut the rind off her bacon but had clearly waited for Tony and Barr before starting to eat.

‘So, we know how each of us got involved in all this,’ Karen said when they’d all sat down and started their meal. ‘How did you get involved?’ The question was directed at Barr, emphasised with a jab of her fork in his direction.