She placed the book Finn had been showing her onto her lap and ruffled his hair. ‘I’ll go on the bike and put what I need in the basket if you can’t take me this morning, Daddy.’

Michael bristled, pushed himself away from the fender and stood upright, blinking as he searched for a response, anything to keep her there a little longer.

Rosie pulled the cover over her basket and tied her headscarf under her chin in a knot. ‘Come on, Finn, Mary Kate can see your book tonight.’ She smiled at her stepdaughter. ‘He’s a great one for the reading,’ she said with a flush of pride on her face. She looked at her husband and felt her heart ache a little. He wanted more time with his daughter. He wanted to protect her from her pain, but he didn’t realise that was what he was trying to do, in his own clumsy way. Rosie had other plans; she would help.

‘Listen, Mary Kate, it will take a little time to get Angela’s cottage sorted, even with Bee’s help. Tonight, I’ll get everyone here – Nola, Seamus, Bee and Captain Bob. Peggy will put a big pan of stew on the stove. We can all go over to Paddy and Josie’s first to see Keeva and Tig and the boys – what do you think? Your daddy will fetch you all in the car and take you back after. In fact, why don’t we just have a big welcome home party. They will all be expecting it anyway. Can you face it, Mary Kate?’

It was more of a challenge than a question, and Mary Kate rose to it. Even as Rosie spoke, she knew she could and she should, because if she didn’t take herself out into the village, the village would come to her. And it wouldn’t be long before too many people began to ask awkward questions if she acted anything other than delighted to be back in the heart of Tarabeg.

‘Go on – will you?’ Finn jumped to his feet and hurled himself at her, throwing his arms around her neck.

‘Aye, I will,’ she said as she hugged him tight.

‘That’s grand. You can meet Joe, too,’ said Michael. ‘Pete will bring them down with the horse and cart. I’ll go and bring the car around the front if you’re sure you’re ready to go now.’ The prospect of driving her to the coast was suddenly not as daunting now he knew she would be back the same evening.

The door opened and a blast of cold air filled the kitchen.

Peggy walked in just as Michael was lifting the keys from the hook on the wall. ‘Where are you off to this early?’ she asked.

Rosie could tell Peggy was subdued, sad almost, and both Rosie and Mary Kate immediately assumed it was because she was sleeping in Mary Kate’s room and felt awkward.

‘Look at you. Did ye not have the best time last night then, Peggy?’ Rosie had hoped that maybe last night would have been the night Peggy and Pete finally realised what was occurring between the two of them. The dance in the long hall was still days away. ‘Was Pete Shevlin not there?’