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Mooney looked around wistfully. ‘There’s that too. What do I do?’

‘Find Ann Wilson before it’s too late. She can tell you who else was there that day.’

‘What if you’re wrong about this?’

‘What if I’m right?’

64

By the time Bryan returned to the house, Grace had made three floral wreaths, though she needed just one. She heard his jeep drive into the yard, but it was another five minutes before he ventured inside with the dog at his heels.

‘Where were you?’ she asked, sounding like a nagging wife, even though she hadn’t meant to sound like that and she was not yet his wife. Might never be. That thought filled her with sadness.

‘I drove around.’ He filled the dog’s bowl, then plugged in the kettle. ‘There’s so much going on, I don’t know what to do with myself.’

‘You could have stayed here and talked to me.’

‘With your brother and Lottie around? Impossible.’

She found herself smiling conspiratorially. ‘You don’t have to worry about them for the time being. Mark went back to Ragmullin to get Sergio. He won’t return until tomorrow. And I sent Lottie Parker away.’

‘Sent her away? Where?’

‘I think she went to a hotel. I honestly don’t care where she is. I couldn’t stand having her in our house any longer. She is a pain, that woman.’

‘But—’

‘She thinks you are a murderer. Can you believe that, Bryan?’

‘I don’t blame her, to be honest. Things don’t look good for me.’

‘Why would you say that?’ She twisted round on the chair to look up at him.

‘I’ve been interviewed by the guards twice, arrested once. They’ll be back for me.’

‘If you’ve done nothing wrong, what have you to be afraid of? And take off those boots. You’re trailing muck over the floor. I mopped it fifteen minutes ago. Where were you, to get in such a state?’

Grace surprised herself with how she was able to talk to him. Usually she was a listener, and it had served her well over the years. You could learn a lot by just keeping your ears open and your mouth shut.

‘Told you, I just drove around, and then I walked the fields with Tess and along the beach. My head is in bits, Grace. I’m so afraid.’

‘Why would you be? You’ve got a good solicitor. The guards can go and shite.’

He laughed.

‘What’s funny?’

‘That’s so un-Grace-like.’

‘It’s time I stood up for myself and for you. People will walk all over us if we let them.’

She felt his hands wrap around her neck as he leaned into her back where she sat. She could smell his sweat, the odour of the sheep and the fields, even the sea. He kissed her hair.

‘What are you making there?’ He was looking over her shoulder, his voice a little too harsh in her ear.

‘Attempting to make a wreath for my veil. But I’m not sure…’

‘Not sure of what?’