Later, they were going to Conor’s house for dinner. ‘Just the four of us,’ her mam had said. It would be the first time Tess had seen her mother and Flan together, and she didn’t know whether to be thrilled or apprehensive. Earlier, she’d risked a visit to the shop. Liesl Talty had offered her congratulations. ‘Mam told me,’ she’d said. ‘She was beside herself with excitement. Between you, me and the wall, she was kind of ticked off too. “How many years have I been friends with Ginny Fortune?” she said. “And then she goes and does something like this without telling me.”’

‘But she did tell her. Didn’t she ring her last night?’

‘Yeah, only the word was everywhere by then. Mags Moynihan was at the door. I thought she’d explode she was so worked up. It must be the biggest thing to happen in Kilmitten since the death of Father Galvin.’

Tess had pointed out that this was an odd comparison.

‘Ah, you know what I mean,’ Liesl had replied.

Realising her five minutes were up, Tess pulled down her halter top, picked up her towel and Walkman and went inside. If she didn’t do this now, her resolve would falter and she’d let another opportunity pass her by.

Her mother was at the kitchen counter making what looked like a cheesecake. ‘Dessert,’ she explained, ‘for this evening.’

Tess had to smile. ‘When did you become so domesticated?’

‘Aren’t you the cheeky young pup! I’m doing my best to be respectable.’

‘Don’t go overboard on the respectability. It doesn’t suit you.’

‘We both know there’s no fear of that.’

‘So,’ said Tess, as she sat down on one of their old kitchen chairs, ‘what I’ve been meaning to ask you …’ She hesitated. ‘What it is … ahm …’ She pulled at the frayed hem of her shorts, appalled by her inability to come on out and ask the question. They’re only words, she thought. You’ve got to put one in front of the other, and then it’ll all be done.

‘Come on, Tessy,’ said her mam. ‘Spit it out.’