‘I don’t know what the old man would have done without you.’

‘Me neither.’

They both laughed.

‘So,’ said Ginny, ‘before I get all maudlin, did Hannah know anything else about this woman? The fact that she was married doesn’t make the list of contenders much shorter. Apart from me, almost every woman over the age of twenty was either married or widowed.’

‘She’d only one other piece of information. Father Leo got to know the woman because she did the flowers in the church.’

Ginny licked her lips in concentration. ‘I’m afraid no one comes to mind. You’re asking the wrong person. Other folks will know, though.’

‘True, but I’ll have to tread carefully. That’s if I tread at all.’

They heard the front door open.

‘Oh, hell,’ whispered Ginny. ‘I hope you’re ready for this. I hadn’t expected him for hours yet.’

From the hall, Conor’s father roared, ‘I’m back. Is that Conor’s car outside?’

‘It is,’ she replied.

‘What’s going on?’ he said, as he entered the room.

Ginny rose from her chair. ‘Sit yourself down there, and I’ll get you a coffee. How’s Lauren’s new flat?’

‘I don’t like the look of this. You’re not here making a nuisance of yourself again, are you?’ he asked Conor. ‘You couldn’t be bothered coming down for the funeral of one of our best friends, but you sneak in when I’m not around. If this is about what I think it is …’

Conor reminded himself that his father’s temper, like his framing of Noel O’Grady, was based on his love for Ginny. ‘Listen to me, Dad, there’s no need to get worked up.’

Ginny patted her husband’s arm. ‘Please, pet, sit down and I’ll make that coffee. I reckon you should hear what the lad’s got to say.’

Chapter 40

The car smelt of new upholstery and Christmas tree air freshener. Neither was helping Tess’s hangover. Once upon a time, her powers of recovery had been legendary. She’d been able to party all night and pose all day. Today, she felt wretched, like a squashed badger at the side of the road. Still, she’d made up her mind. She’d hired the car, changed her flight and called Willowthorpe to let them know what she was doing. She couldn’t back out now.

She flicked on the radio. The guests on a news programme were having an aimless discussion about the expected cabinet reshuffle. ‘Tom Crossan is definitely ready for promotion,’ said a man with a voice so deep Tess could practically hear his jowls.