The sound of a car pulling up outside the back of the shop brought Mary Kate running down the stairs. ‘Joe, is it you?’ she said. ‘Where’s Daddy? He was due back from his deliveries half an hour ago.’

‘I’ve come to fetch you up to the farm to say your goodbyes,’ he said. ‘Michael is up there, they want to see you.’

‘But I said my goodbyes at the family supper last night.’

‘Nola did say she was looking to have a quiet word with Michael before we came down this morning,’ said Cat.

‘Aye, well, they have a leaving present they want to give you. It won’t take long,’ said Joe. ‘Ladies, I’ll be back with her in less than half an hour.’

Mary Kate was already outside and climbing into the passenger seat. Finn, who’d been holding her hand, jumped into the back. Once they started to climb the hill, Mary Kate turned to Joe. ‘I’m sorry I was so horrible to you when I arrived,’ she said. ‘I don’t know why it is, but I’m not as against the idea of a hotel as I was when you first mentioned it.’

‘I’m glad to hear it,’ said Joe. ‘I’ve appointed a project manager from Liverpool and we will begin work soon. Tarabeg will have one of the best golf courses in Ireland before long.’

‘Can I work at the hotel, Joe?’ Finn leant forwards, resting his folded arms on the back of Mary Kate’s seat.

Mary Kate sniffed, unimpressed. ‘You might want to come to Liverpool, to me, Finn,’ she said.

‘Where are you going to live?’ Finn was already imagining himself making the journey.

‘With Mrs O’Keefe, until I can sort myself out. The hospital has a nurses’ home and Matron said she would like me to live there, although they may have to find a new one for all the new nurses they’ll have coming soon.’

‘Maybe she’d like me to come and build a hotel,’ said Joe with a wink over to Finn in the back.

‘Never! I’m glad that I’m off to Liverpool and you’ll be busy here.’

Joe roared out laughing. ‘Mark my words, one day you will stay in my hotel.’

‘Never. Not in a million years. I do wish you luck though, Joe. Try not to change the village too much – it’s special, you know that.’

‘Thank you, Mary Kate. Do you think Father Jerry would allow that to happen? The man thinks he’s the architect, he’s had something to say about every single proposal so far. He has a meeting on site himself with Mr Keene and the architect today. It’s a pity my sleeping partner can’t be there.’

They were pulling up outside the old house and Pete Shevlin, who was on his way from the farmhouse, waved to them.

‘A sleeping partner?’ said Mary Kate. ‘What does that mean?’

Joe jumped out and opened the car door for her. ‘Well, in my case, someone who is very difficult and stubborn at times. Come on, we don’t have long.’