After that, she struggled. All the lines she’d repeated to herself sounded wrong. Too embarrassing. Too juvenile. She couldn’t say, ‘We have amazing conversations, the best ever. A whole new world has come alive for me.’ Her mother would be baffled, and her father would ask if she was taking drugs. In the end, she said simply, ‘That’s the way it is.’ Then she returned to Dublin.

She was living on her own in Ringsend, the rent swallowing most of her wages. Her relationship with Julian wasn’t at a level where they could consider moving in together. He’d been taken aback by her split with Tom. ‘It’s for the best,’ she’d said. ‘Now we can be a proper couple.’

For a few moments, he’d been quiet. Finally, he’d smiled his gap-toothed smile and agreed. ‘You’re right,’ he said. ‘No more skulking and hiding.’ Then he kissed her, a long, warm kiss, and her apprehension melted away.

She left a message for Tess, explaining what had happened. That she didn’t hear back didn’t worry her. Tess was busy.

One evening, her mother called. Everybody in the village knew, she said. She recommended that Nina stay away for a while. ‘It’s not like we don’t want to see you, love, but I don’t think you’d enjoy the fuss.’ Although Nina wouldn’t admit it, a little part of her was amused. She’d never been the talk of Kilmitten before. Her mam also revealed that Tom had been in a fight with Seánie O’Grady. ‘I don’t know what it was about,’ she added, her voice giving the lie to her words. ‘The O’Gradys are in foul humour. They’re going around telling everybody that Seánie was assaulted and that Flan Varley should arrest Tom. I met Noel junior, and he was ripping into Flan, saying the whole episode proved once and for all that the guards are corrupt. “We’re getting Uncle Paddy to raise it in the Dáil,” he said.’

‘For real?’ said Nina. ‘Don’t worry, even Paddy O’Grady’s not that stupid.’

‘What about Marty? His father-in-law’s on one side, his family on the other. That can’t be fun.’

‘Apparently, he sided with his brother, and Paula’s not talking to him. There’s a lot of silliness around here at the moment. Touch wood, it’ll die down soon. And, just so as you know, Tom’s going to India next month. Cora Crossan’s not happy.’

Great, thought Nina. No doubt she was getting the blame.

‘But,’ said her mother, ‘if there’s a silver lining, at least you won’t have to worry about bumping into him.’