Like so much in Kilmitten, Mangan’s grocery shop belonged to another era. Tinned peaches and boxes of corn flakes were arranged in the front window, a handful of dead bluebottles completing the display. When they were growing up, the staff had wrapped tampons in brown paper before placing the parcel in a carrier bag. Tess had made a point of declining both paper and bag. ‘Wouldn’t it be worse if I didn’t need them?’ she’d asked, waving the box at Jimmy Mangan. His face had turned the colour of dirty dishwater.

Tonight, Liesl Talty, Mercedes’ daughter, was behind the counter. Liesl had inherited her father’s prominent nose and her mother’s thirst for gossip. She was no fool, though, and Nina reckoned she’d ask her about the documentary.

Liesl got in first. ‘Nina Minogue,’ she said, in an overly chirpy voice. ‘The very woman. You’ll be able to help.’

It was then that Nina noticed a tall guy in a leather jacket and black denims lolling at the end of the counter. She raised an eyebrow at Liesl. ‘Help with what?’

The stranger turned around. He had dark blond hair and blue eyes. He wasn’t especially good-looking, but there was something appealing about him. He knew it too. He thrust out a hand. ‘Julian Heaney.’

‘Eh, right …’ said Nina, as they shook.

‘Julian’s making a TV programme,’ Liesl explained, ‘about what happened to poor Father Galvin.’

‘I’ve heard about you,’ said Nina.

He smiled, revealing a slight gap between his front teeth. ‘I’ve a feeling that’s not good.’

‘I’ve been trying to explain,’ said Liesl, ‘why not everybody likes to be reminded of what went on.’

‘That’s one way of putting it,’ said Nina.

‘Julian was asking about Tess. I told him that we hardly see her these days, but that if anybody knew where she was, it’d be you.’

Nina turned to the documentary-maker. ‘What do you want with Tess? We were only kids when Father Galvin was killed.’

‘I know, but I think a lot of viewers would be interested in what she remembers. To be blunt about it, this part of the world doesn’t have many famous citizens.’

She decided to play with him. ‘You’d want to mind yourself. Paddy O’Grady wouldn’t like to hear you saying that.’

‘He’s the politician whose brother was killed a few years back, right?’

‘Noel O’Grady, yeah. You’ve been doing your homework.’

‘A couple of people have mentioned him. He was at the party.’

‘Lots of people were at the party. My parents were there. Liesl’s parents too. It’d be harder to find somebody who wasn’t.’

‘Noel liked a drink,’ offered Liesl.

Julian scratched his neck. ‘I did approach your father,’ he said to Nina.

‘I’m guessing he didn’t say much.’

‘He said plenty. Just nothing I could use.’