Peggy’s eyes lit up. ‘Have you?’

‘I certainly have and that’s no word of a lie. The night Mary Kate came home, I watched him and he never took his eyes off you for a moment. Do as I say and let him know, Peggy. What have you got to lose?’

They both heard the chattering voices as Mary Kate approached the shop with her visitors.

‘I’ll do just that,’ said Peggy. ‘And if he says no, I’ll throw myself in the Taramore and be done with it.’

Rosie had no time to reply as the door to the shop opened. At the front was Mary Kate and next to her a pretty young woman with short red curly hair and the brightest blue eyes. It was as easy as blinking to recognise a visitor who didn’t live in Tarabeg, by their clothes alone. This young woman wore a smart camel coat, tied at the waist, a felt hat of the same colour, and black boots that looked crinkled and shone so brightly it was as if she’d walked through the deepest puddle on the way in.

‘Holy Mother of God, another visitor?’ said Peggy. ‘We have none my entire lifetime and now they’re coming so thick and fast, I can’t keep up.’

Cat smiled. She liked Peggy and her impetuousness, the way every thought tumbled out of her mouth unchecked.

‘Rosie, this is Dana Brogan,’ said Mary Kate. ‘Nurse Dana Brogan, I should say. She looked after Nicholas at the hospital and she’s come to see me – isn’t that just lovely. Her family are the Brogans from Belmullet.’

Rosie was surprised that Mary Kate had spoken about Nicholas in front of Peggy, who knew nothing about Mary Kate’s real life in Liverpool, but she quickly recovered herself, ignoring the look of confusion on Peggy’s face and her blurted-out comment, ‘Who is Nicholas? Nicholas who?’

To save Mary Kate from having to answer that, she said, ‘Well, isn’t it just grand to see you. Let me take your coat, Dana. Mary Kate, pull out a chair, would you. And, Peggy, set up for an extra guest, please.’

Rosie began to bustle about, excited and delighted to have a new visitor and yet more fresh things to talk about.

Dana began to untie the belt on her coat, looking slightly nervous. ‘I am so sorry,’ she said. ‘I have the most awful confession to make.’

‘You don’t have anything to confess,’ said Mary Kate. ‘You are kindness itself, coming all this way.’ Her lips wobbled and her eyes filled with tears. ‘How did I ever think I could come here and not be able to talk about him?’

‘You came because it was his dying wish,’ said Mrs O’Keefe, who’d come and stood behind her. She stroked her hair as she placed a handkerchief in her hand. ‘And that was why Cat and I took the decision to follow you, so that you could have someone to talk to. It was only when you left that we realised it was too much for you to bear alone.’