After Tess and Conor had left, Nina talked about her mother. ‘Some days I wonder if I did the right thing,’ she said. ‘If I’d just let it go, pretended that I didn’t know anything, what would have happened?’

‘I’m not sure I’m the man to ask for advice.’

She smiled. ‘I hear you.’

‘Anyway, Conor wouldn’t have let it rest.’

‘True. You’re obviously still on good terms, though.’

Tom lifted his face towards the sun. ‘We are. I’m not saying he did me a favour – that would be overstating it – but I’ve enough going on without holding a grudge.’

‘Wise decision. Take it from the woman who fell out with her best friend for twenty-five years, these things can get out of control.’

As they began their descent of the hill, Tom thought of all the times they’d walked this land and these lanes. Of the stories they’d told. Of what they’d shared and what they’d kept hidden. Here they were, hurtling towards fifty, yet in his head they remained the same as they’d been in 1982. Among all the clichés about life, there was one that resonated with him. When you were young, you couldn’t appreciate how quickly time passed. A tough week at school felt like a lengthy prison sentence. When you got older, one year faded into another. An entire decade could disappear.

‘Did I tell you I met Hannah Galvin?’ said Nina.

‘Really? When?’

‘Last week. Conor gave her my number. She found an excuse to come to Dublin, and we had a chat. I’d a feeling Mam’s solicitor wouldn’t approve, so I didn’t tell anybody else.’

‘What did you say?’

Nina took off her sunglasses and looked at Tom. ‘I’d prepared a speech, then forgot it all. It was difficult, you know? But I felt it was something I had to do. In the end, I just said I was sorry and that all of us had liked Father Leo. She didn’t say much. She’s fairly fragile. She was gracious, though. Not bitter like many people would be.’

‘Does she know there was a witness?’

‘God, no. She has no idea. She said that while part of her wanted Mam to suffer, she knew this was wrong. “I’m sure Leo would want me to forgive her,” she said.’

Nina put her glasses back on, and they continued on their way. A slight breeze fluttered around them, bringing with it the coconut smell of nearby furze bushes.

At the end of the boreen, they stopped. Tom ran a finger along the back of Nina’s hand. ‘I hope you’re okay.’