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‘I agree,’ Charlie said. ‘I just don’t have any fight left in me.’

‘I’ll fight for you, Dad. I’ll make sure you get in to see her and say goodbye.’

‘Yes. I’ve decided Iwouldlike to see her one more time, after all, just to whisper a few words in her ear. The last time I saw her was so awful … I was so shocked.’

‘We all were. I’ll get you in, Dad. I’ll talk to Angela and make sure we avoid Adam.’

‘You’re a good girl, Mia, a great girl. The brandy and cigarettes were a tonic.’

Mia smiled at her father and felt a kind of calm wash over her. This was a moment she’d remember, always.

‘CHARLIE WILSON!’ Olivia screeched. ‘Put that filthy cancer stick down immediately.’

Charlie jumped and dropped the cigarette.

Olivia marched down the garden towards them, her face bright red. ‘I leave you in charge for one hour and you have him smoking. Are you trying to kill him, is that it? Do you want him to die too?’

‘Jeez, calm down Olivia, it was a couple of cigarettes.’

‘My Gerald died of lung cancer due to smoking. I will notlet that happen to Charlie. You have just ruined twenty-five years of nicotine-free life for Charlie.’

‘He’s not going to die of lung cancer after three cigarettes or start smoking twenty a day again,’ Mia said.

‘You’re a bad influence.’

Mia looked at Charlie. ‘He said he enjoyed them.’

‘Well, now, that’s not exactly true. Mia thought they’d help me relax. I didn’t even really like it. Rotten taste in my mouth. Don’t get yourself worked up about it, Olivia, my darling. I won’t smoke again.’

‘That’s what all addicts say,’ Olivia retorted.

‘I won’t. Mia, take them with you and don’t bring them to the house again, please.’ Charlie handed her the packet.

Olivia turned to walk away.

‘Judas,’ Mia muttered.

‘It’s called self-preservation,’ Charlie whispered. ‘Hand me that packet.’

‘No way! I’m not having her accusing me of trying to murder you.’

Charlie grabbed the packet from Mia’s hand. ‘I’ll make sure she never finds them.’

Mia let go of the packet and watched her sixty-nine-year-old father stuff them down the front of his trousers, like a naughty schoolboy.

40

Riley stood in assembly with her hands clenched. Her nails made little half-moon indents in her palms.

The headmistress, Mrs Moloney, was beaming. ‘And now a very special announcement. Zoë Karsdale came fourth in the All-Ireland hurdle final yesterday. We are very proud of Zoë and this incredible achievement.’

Everyone cheered and whooped. Riley wanted to throw up. Zoë pretended to be embarrassed, but still managed to wave and strut up to the stage to be congratulated by Mrs Moloney.

‘As Zoë just missed out on a medal, we are presenting her with our very own medal here today.’

Zoë’s hand flew up to her mouth in a fake ‘What? No way!’ move. Riley glanced at Zach – he was clapping and whooping with the rest.

Mrs Moloney put the fake medal around Zoë’s neck and everyone cheered.