‘So, is it a custom around here then, Michael, that you have to call on everyone when you visit Tarabeg? Because, honest to God, if I have to drink another glass of whiskey, I don’t think I’ll be able to stand up.’

They’d just left Philomena O’Donnell’s, and before that they’d spent half an hour sitting on the wooden chairs at the front of the butcher’s, being plied with generous-sized glasses of whiskey from Paddy’s bar at the rear.

Michael turned out onto the main street and laughed at Cat’s question. ‘Of course. If I don’t introduce you to everyone before the dance, I’ll be in fierce trouble. Isn’t that right, Mary Kate?’

Mary Kate turned in her seat, smiled at Cat and reached across to squeeze Mrs O’Keefe’s hand. ‘I can’t tell you how pleased I am that you came,’ she said, for what must have been the fifth time in the last two days.

Mrs O’Keefe noticed that her eyes were misty. ‘Oh, that’s all right, my love. As I’ve said, it just didn’t feel right, sending you back like that. And if the truth be known, we missed you the minute you left, didn’t we, Cat?’

‘Not half, and you should have heard Joan and Deidra. We’ve got a list of instructions, and my suitcase was half full of those parcels in the boot to post.’ Cat gestured at the parcel shelf in the rear, which was piled high with packets from Joan and Deidra to be posted to their own families in the west. ‘At least I’ve got a job to do when I’m in the post office. You can give me a hand, Mary Kate – the money’s a bit funny over here.’

The car pulled up outside the post office, where a crowd had gathered. Women clutching shawls and baskets grinned aimlessly at the car as it came to a halt.

‘Holy Mother of God, who are they all waiting for?’

‘For you ladies,’ Mary Kate said.

‘The last time there was a crowd that big outside the post office was the day Joe arrived,’ said Michael. ‘Teresa Gallagher – she was still allowed to drive at that point – brought him down to show him off. That’s Teresa on the sticks at the front. She’s Father Jerry’s housekeeper, you met her at the party. She’ll be the one wanting to do the introductions. I should warn you, they will all be giving you messages to take back to Liverpool. They’ve no idea how big the place is. If I were you, I’d just write it all down and say you’ll do your best.’

Cat opened her handbag in search of a pencil.

‘I have to say,’ said Mrs O’Keefe, ‘Joe is a very nice young man. I had no idea he was so wealthy until Nola told me.’

‘Aye, he’s wealthy and he’s just bought the Carter place to make him even wealthier.’

Mary Kate’s head shot up as she turned to her father. ‘And that is a disgrace,’ she said.