When, at last, the words came, they flew out in a great rush, like pennies spilling from a slot machine. ‘What it is is this. I know you’re reluctant to talk about my father, and I understand that. And I’ve tried not to be a pain, but I’m an adult now, and I’d like to know who he is. You needn’t worry that I’ll go making a nuisance of myself. I’m not even sure I want to meet him. I’d just like to know something about him. Does he even know I exist? And, if he does, is there a chance he’d like to meet me? So, like I say, I get that this is difficult for you. Honestly, I do. But, please, Mam, I have to know who he is.’

Her mother sighed, a long, heavy sigh. She looked briefly at Tess before returning her gaze to the floor. ‘I’d a feeling this would come up. Listen, if I thought any good would come of you knowing his identity, I’d have told you years ago. I don’t know why you can’t trust me.’

‘I do trust you, but I feel like part of me is missing. Like I don’t have the whole picture. What if I have brothers and sisters? What if there are others in the family who’d like to know about me?’

‘Plenty of people grow up without a father. You’re not that special.’ Her mam immediately thought better of what she’d said. ‘Sorry, pet, that sounded tougher than I’d intended.’

Tess felt a swelling in her throat. This was even trickier than she’d feared. She’d come this far, though, and she had to continue. ‘Okay, I’m reluctant to raise this, but here goes: for most of my life I’ve been friendly with Conor. He’s always been like the brother I didn’t have. In some ways, he’s my best mate. And, last night, after you told me about Flan and the baby, I started wondering … do I feel that way because Conor is my brother? Is Flan my father? If that’s the case, I can see why you wouldn’t want to tell anyone. He was married to someone else, and then she died, and it was really tragic and …’

Her mam pressed her fingers against her temples. When she spoke, her voice was soft as a baby’s sneeze. ‘No. I swear to you there was nothing between Flan and myself until a few months back. You’ve got to take my word on that.’

‘If not Flan, who?’

‘Please, Tess, don’t do this to me. Not now. Not when, for once in my life, everything’s going well. You’re not being fair.’

‘But you’re not being fair either. Can’t you see that? To me – or to him.’