Finally, Nina spoke. ‘You can do whatever you like,’ she said. ‘But I can’t pretend this didn’t happen. If I do, it’s not as if what I know will evaporate. Like Tom said, it will always be there.’ Tess went to speak, but Nina continued: ‘You should have told me,’ she said to Tom. ‘I can see why you didn’t and I’m … I don’t have the right word … I’m touched that you tried to protect me. But it was too much. Too much to carry around.’

‘I’m sorry,’ he said.

‘I can’t understand why my mother would hurt Father Galvin.’ Her voice broke, and she paused to compose herself. ‘But I have to know why.’ For a moment, she pressed her fingers against her eyes. ‘If it’s true, she has to admit it, and she has to face the consequences.’

‘No!’ said Tess. ‘Please think about what you’re saying. She doesn’t have to do anything of the sort.’

‘Yes, she does. Tess, I know you want to help, and I appreciate it. But this is my decision.’

‘You don’t have to make up your mind now. Take some time. We’ve been drinking all evening. You’re upset. This isn’t the way to deal with it.’ Tess sent a pleading look to Conor and Tom. Well, to Conor anyway. Tom appeared to be in a trance.

Once more, it was Nina who spoke. ‘One way or another I won’t stop thinking about it. Delaying a day or a week won’t change that. I’ll just replay everything again and again and keep asking myself why.’

Tess was astonished by her lucidity. Her friend was far stronger than she had thought. More courageous too. Whatever was going on beneath the surface, she had somehow acquired a veneer of calm.

‘The one thing I would ask,’ said Nina, ‘is that you allow me to talk to her. I can do it tomorrow. I’ll call in sick to work. They’ll cope without me for one day. Well, more than that, perhaps. We’ll see.’

‘Do you want me to come with you?’ asked Conor.

‘That would be good.’

‘I’ll come too if it would help,’ said Tess, who was starting to accept that Nina wouldn’t change her mind. ‘I promise I won’t interfere, but I’ll be there if you need anything.’

‘Thanks. I’d like that. Don’t you have to go home, though?’

‘They’ll understand.’

‘You’re very lucky,’ she said.

Tess willed herself not to cry. This wasn’t the time. She remembered as a young woman realising that everyone had their own rules and codes and that sometimes these were hard to comprehend. She wouldn’t have been capable of reacting like Nina.