She had been stunned to hear the sentence. Fred had looked at her with a tragic expression on his features. She’d smiled bravely across the courtroom at him, but was devastated when she saw him led away. Looking in the larder, she saw she had enough food for a couple of days. Meagre offerings perhaps, but she remembered when such things would have meant a feast. There was no time to waste. If she was to survive, she would have to see Sandy. She would take herself off to The Sailor’s Return tonight. Declan was the first to see her as she entered the bar, somewhat uncertainly. ‘Lily, me girl. How are you? Come on over here.’ Sandy was sitting talking to a young man at one of the small tables. He looked up when he heard Declan greet her, made his excuses to his companion and came over right away. ‘Hello, Lily.’ Something about her demeanour caused him concern. ‘What’s the matter?’ She gave a wry smile. ‘I always seem to meet you when I’ve got a crisis.’ ‘Then perhaps we had better sit down.
