He’d met Georgia at a television awards ceremony. A former reality TV star, Georgia’s celebrity status was rapidly fading by the time she and Adam got together. She seemed more than happy to take on her new role as supportive partner to her famous boyfriend. As well as being very lovely, Georgia didn’t put up with any of Adam’s nonsense. She’d only agreed to move in with him if he gave up alcohol and enrolled on an anger management course.

‘I’ve been approached about writing a book,’ Adam said, ‘about the murders. Georgia says I need to speak to you first before agreeing to anything.’

‘What would you do if I said I don’t want you to do it?’

The cold had made the scars on her wrists sting. She didn’t want to talk about this now and resented Adam for ruining what had been, until now, a perfect morning.

‘If you really didn’t want me to,’ he said, after a moment, ‘then I wouldn’t do it. But please don’t say no right away. So much has already been written about it, this would be a chance to set the record straight.’

‘I almost died that night,’ Clodagh said. ‘I’m not sure how I feel about you writing about it, if I’m honest.’

Another few minutes and Rachel Lewis would have been too late to save her. Luckily, Rachel had got there in the nick of time. Not that Clodagh had known anything about it. The sleeping tablets that Bella had crushed into her curry had knocked her out. She’d woken in hospital the following day, confused and terrified for the baby growing inside her. Somehow, Patrick Richard Kinsella had survived and, if the scans were anything to go by, he was positively thriving.

She knew it was testing fate, naming the baby before he was born. But she was tired of worrying about what might happen. Far better, she’d decided, to live life without always expecting the worst. Which was why, after they’d discovered they were having a boy, she’d persuaded Adam they should choose names. Patrick, after Clodagh’s father; Richard after Adam’s dad. And Kinsella, because Clodagh had insisted that any child of hers would have her surname.

‘At least think about it?’ Adam said. ‘Please?’

‘Okay. But I’m not making any promises.’

‘I understand. Thanks, Clodagh.’

She could see Ivan, now, walking towards her along the promenade. She said goodbye to Adam and hung up, waving to get Ivan’s attention.

‘Good morning to you, lady.’ Ivan grabbed her and embraced her in a hug before patting her stomach. ‘How is my little baby Pat? Has he been a good boy for his mamma?’

‘The way he’s kicking around at the moment,’ Clodagh said, ‘I think he’s going to be a professional footballer.’