She nodded. ‘I’m getting there. I just wish we could bury my mum. I think once we can do that it will be a bit easier, you know?’

‘It’s hard, I know, lovely. But you’re right, once we lay her to rest, it will bring about a bit of normality. It’s like being in limbo. We need to get back to reality.’

‘I miss her so much, Nana. I wish she was still here, I wish I had not taken her for granted, had known we didn’t have long left together. I would have made sure we didn’t waste a second of it.’ She was crying, the tears running down her face.

Theresa smiled sadly. ‘Listen, child, we all wish that – it’s natural. Death is as much a part of life as living. We will all die, sweetheart, that is the only definite thing we will ever know. It’s hard, especially for the people left behind but, beggar or king, it comes to us all – no one can prevent it. That is why you need to enjoy your life while you can. The death of a loved one just reminds us of our own mortality. It reminds us that one day death will come for us too.’

Tania knew her nana was right, but it still didn’t make her feel any better; she had far too much on her mind. ‘I hope she’s happy, Nana, wherever she is. I hope she is at rest.’

Theresa laughed loudly then and Tania could hear the humour in her nana’s voice as she said gaily, ‘’Course she is! We’re Irish Catholics, for feck’s sake! We believe we have the edge over everyone else when it comes to dying! We live to die, and we die leaving others to carry on our names, and we pass those names on for generations, so we can never be forgotten. Why do you think we can’t use contraception? We are conditioned to procreate at every fecking opportunity. Populate the earth with more good Catholics! Children are the greatest gift God could give to anyone, and they are the future. Like you, now. Your mum is gone, but you are a part of her legacy – while you live, she will never really be dead. You have her blood in your veins, and her wisdom in your mind. Your child will be a part of her even though she is gone.’

Tania had never thought about it like that before, and her nana’s words made her feel better, that in some way her mum was still with her. Then she realised what her nana had just said.

Theresa took her granddaughter’s hand in hers and, smiling sadly at her, she asked gently, ‘Now, tell me the truth. Are you pregnant, child?’

Chapter One Hundred and Forty-One