‘I thought we were barking mad, just letting you leave like that,’ said Cat.

‘We just had to get out here after you, didn’t we, Cat?’ said Mrs O’Keefe.

Cat, who was standing next to Rosie, placed an arm around Rosie’s shoulders and gave her a squeeze. ‘We did, although, to be fair, we didn’t know what a fantastic person Rosie was, did we?’

Rosie couldn’t help herself as a spontaneous smile reached her eyes. ‘I’ve tried my best,’ she said. ‘We all know the pain of losing someone, or the fear of it, which is almost as bad.’

‘I bloody don’t,’ said Peggy, feeling rather grumpy and left out. ‘Is someone going to tell me what’s going on?’

Mary Kate couldn’t resist a smile herself as she blew her nose. ‘Yes, I am, Peggy. I was in love with the most wonderful man, who died. I lived with him as though he were my husband, because his wicked wife wouldn’t divorce him, and I don’t care who knows.’ With her voice now firmer and stronger, she repeated her announcement. ‘I really don’t care who bloody knows and I have a mind to go straight to the presbytery and tell Father Jerry myself. He can do his worst. I don’t care if the doors slam shut in my face when I enter the church. I don’t care if no one in the village ever speaks to me again. My Nicholas will not be kept a secret. He was a good man and I am bloody proud of the love we had for each other, and if taking him from me was God’s punishment for our being together, then I am bloody done with God. Dana, I am so glad you came today and said what you did.’

Peggy gasped and her hand flew to her mouth. ‘Holy Mother of God,’ she exclaimed. ‘You lived with a man – alone? As his wife? But you haven’t any children?’

Mary Kate sighed, feeling better than she had for days. ‘I was a sinner not an idiot, Peggy.’

Peggy grabbed at the nearest chair and sat down. ‘Does anyone know, apart from us?’

‘Well, I think that’s where I come in,’ said Dana. ‘I was such an eejit. I walked into the post office and asked for Mrs Marcus.’

The blood drained from Rosie’s face. ‘God in heaven. Did Nola leave any whiskey here the other night?’ She blessed herself and made for the back door. ‘Wait until your father hears about this. He may as well close the shop. I think we all need a drink now.’

Chapter 17

Mary Kate lit the lamp in the cottage and stood listening to the sound of Captain Bob’s car as it drove along the cliff road towards Bee’s, less than half a mile away. The cottage felt warm from the smouldering fire and smelt of peat smoke and memories. There was a hint in the air of another life having been coaxed from the walls; it was almost as if she had been there herself, during another time.