Polite laughter greeted this remark and Jessica Walls, dramatic in a gold lamé evening gown, accompanied Eleanor across the reception room to where the contestants were being interviewed. Had Eleanor ever expressed such pride in him, Jake wondered. He tried to pinpoint an instant that he could hold up to the light and recognise as a gesture of affection, a memory to cherish. But his recollections of his childhood were cluttered with her busyness. Her constant energy and ambition. Her face on posters, that bland yet determined smile.

‘Jake and Eleanor Saunders. I’d never have put the two of you together.’ A man who had been speaking to Jessica before Eleanor’s interruption nodded at Jake. His thick, brown hair glistened with gel and his aftershave reminded Jake unpleasantly of horse liniment.

‘Most people don’t.’ He smiled ruefully and tried to remember why the man looked familiar.

‘Liam Brett’s the name,’ he said. ‘I used to work with your wife. Is she still in Alaska?’

‘Yes.’

‘She was good. Pity she took off like that. How are things with Shard these days?’

‘We’re happy.’

‘I was at your come-back gig with Karin Moylan. I believe you two know each other from Shard’s previous incarnation.’

Jake remembered him now. That night in The Bare Pit, the sinuous dance steps as he moved around Karin, his eyes never leaving her face. Karin only ever referred to him in throwaway remarks that made him sound like a pet dog. But Liam Brett was no one’s pet dog and his expression as he eyeballed Jake had the aggression of a rutting stag.

‘She’s still a dedicated fan.’ He reached for another glass of champagne and moved closer to Jake. ‘No offence, mate, but her taste in music is something I don’t share.’

‘None taken, mate. Enjoy the night.’

He walked away before Liam could reply. The stoic harpist was still playing, her music lost under the chattering voices. She smiled in appreciation when he moved closer to listen.

The clanging of a bell startled the crowd into a momentary silence. A voice informed them it was time to move into the main hall where dinner was about to be served. The decision of the judges would be announced at the end of the meal.

‘There’s Karin Moylan.’ Eleanor craned her neck and waved across at one of the tables. ‘She mentioned she’d be here with the crowd from Lustrous tonight.’

He followed her gaze and saw Karin sitting beside Liam Brett, her face turned attentively towards him. As if aware of Jake’s gaze she looked over and waved.

‘How lovely she looks,’ said Eleanor. ‘She did a wonderful job on Lustrous. Have you seen the new layout?’

‘No,’ said Jake.

‘Are you talking about the woman with the blue necklace?’ asked Brian.

‘We are,’ said Eleanor. ‘I’m working with her on the new logo for First Affiliation.’

‘She’s been to my studio,’ Brian said. ‘She bought some pieces from the Willow Passion collection.’

‘When was that?’ Jake tried to hide his shock.

‘Last week,’ said Brian. ‘She’s really into my work. Pity she’s not on the judging panel.’

Jake had lost his appetite by the time the first course was served. Why had Karin never mentioned visiting his son’s pottery? Slí na hAbhann, where the craft centre was located, was not somewhere convenient where customers could drop in on a whim. It would have taken Karin almost five hours to drive there. He wanted to question Brian further but his son was talking animatedly to the young silversmith sitting next to him.

Tension rose as the meal drew to a close. Speeches followed and the competitors sat stiffly to attention as they awaited the judges’ decisions. Jake’s eyes stung when Brian’s name was called and his son walked across the stage to receive the ceramics award. He wanted Nadine to share this night with him but she was on Alaskan time and her day was only beginning.

Brian was right about the overall prize being awarded to the goldsmith but the delicacy of the glaze on the Willow Passion collection received a special commendation from the judging panel.

‘Brian, I’m so thrilled for you.’ Karin came to their table when the ceremony ended and shook his hand. ‘Not that I’m surprised. Your work is beautiful. You must be so proud of your grandson, Eleanor.’

‘I’m proud of all my grandchildren but tonight is very special indeed.’ Eleanor rubbed her hand affectionately along Brian’s beard. ‘I’m only sorry his mother isn’t here to share this wonderful night with us.’

‘I’ll send her the video,’ Brian said. ‘She’d be here if she could. Looking after Great-uncle Stuart is far more important.’

‘I suppose you’re right.’ Eleanor conceded this point. ‘Poor unfortunate man. He should be back in London receiving proper medical attention. I’ve never understood his fascination with ice when all it ever does is melt. Now, if you’ll excuse me, it’s been a long night and I’m off to my bed. I’ll be in touch soon, Karin. Goodnight Jake. Congratulations again, Brian.’ She blew kisses at them and swept towards the exit.

‘Karin, can I buy you a celebratory drink?’ Brian glanced enquiringly at her when she slipped into the chair vacated by Eleanor.

‘Thank you, Brian. A glass of prosecco would be lovely.’

‘What about you, Dad?’

‘Nothing for me, thanks.’

‘You’re sure?’

‘Absolutely.’ He folded his arms and stared across the table at Karin.

‘Nice engineering,’ he said when Brian walked towards the bar.

‘What do you mean?’

‘Brian said you’ve visited his pottery.’

‘Yes, I have. They’ve quite a nice setup in that craft centre.’

‘And you just dropped in purely by chance.’

‘No, not by chance. I was meeting a client in Tralee and saw the signpost for Slí na hAbhann. Brian brought me on a tour of the studios. Such talent. Quite remarkable in such an out of the way location.’

‘Why didn’t you tell me you’ve been there?’

‘Why didn’t you tell me about tonight? Were you afraid I’d expect to come with you?’

‘It wouldn’t have been an appropriate occasion.’

‘I agree.’

‘So, now you’ve met my son and my mother. What next?’

‘Why are you angry?’

‘You’re manipulating me.’

‘I love you, Jake. Your family are an extension of that love. I want them to accept me on their own terms and if this is the way I do it, why should you object?’

‘Here we are.’ Brian put the drinks down on the table and clinked glasses with Karin. The cut glass ceramic award in the centre of the table glinted and reminded Jake of ice splintering in sunlight.

Stuart’s illness had broken Nadine’s resolve not to contact him. He was dying, she said when she rang him last night. Her voice had quavered then strengthened. He would die in Alaska and she would stay with him until the end.

The news shocked him. He had seen the recent photographs that Nadine had taken – Ali always forwarded them to his laptop – and Stuart, muffled in a parka jacket, his padded trousers tucked into mountain boots, looked so fit it was impossible to believe his time was limited. Other photographs charted Nadine’s life in Alaska. Ice skating on a lake with Daveth Carew, admiring an ice sculpture with Stuart, standing beside him in front of a small stone church. Each photograph spawned another dozen images in Jake’s mind. Why was Daveth Carew in so many of them? Why was he on dry land when he should be on his boat encouraging whales to surface from their icy depths? What right had Jake to feel jealous when he saw a photograph of Daveth and Nadine tucked under rugs on a dog sled ride? And could this heart-sinking sensation be classified as jealousy? He had no idea how he felt about anything anymore.

Chapter 36

He was loading the last amplifier into his van outside The Bare Pit when his phone bleeped. A text from Karin. She was waiting for him in Sea Aster. He sat into the driver seat and read her text again. How had she entered his apartment? The windows and door were securely locked. There was only one answer. She must have taken a spare key from the drawer in the kitchen and had her own copy cut.