Bianca had been alternately hurt and then angered by O’Grady’s remarks; she had stared after him, open-mouthed, as he strode off, the fury in his body evident as he walked away, ignoring baby Cian, who sat in his high chair, stretching out his arms to his parent.

He had spoken in such an uncontrolled way, she told herself, biting back her tears as Syl raced out of the kitchen to scoop up the bewildered-looking infant, who sat, his lower lip trembling, preparing to burst into tears. Liam O’Grady had not just been hurtful, he had also been unfair, she thought righteously, trying to stem her sorrow at having been unfairly...