Siobhan and Niamh stood by the bed amazed by the serenity of their two children sleeping. Both women couldn't understand how the two toddlers had managed to instantly fall asleep in one of the guest rooms at Fitzgerald's, but at home both would scream blue murder to stay up past their bedtimes.

"When she wakes up all Hell is going to break loose", Siobhan said as she closed the door, ensuring she pulled the handle down to quieten the click. Niether woman had expected to be able to stay much past 8pm, with Ambrose on duty and Brendon watching the bar, but with both children asleep they relished the thought of having some 'adult time'.

"Same with Ciaran, so lets enjoy it while we can", replied Niamh as she turned the baby monitor on and headed towards the stairs.

*

As the hours passed all three adults were surprised that niether child stirred; Brendon had even ventured into the room to make sure the baby monitor was on and that niether child had succumb to deadly, and unknown, accident or illness. Upon finding that all was well he silently cursed whatever prevented his daughter from sleeping so soundly at home, before reluctantly returning to the rowdy sound of tourists at the bar wishing that Orla was working tonight instead of him.

*

Niamh had througherly enjoyed sitting in a booth chatting to Siobhan. The vet wasn't her usual choice for company, but it turned out they had more in common than either realised; they both had a fondness for chocolate (something very few people knew about Siobhan) and their love of horses. Everyone knew that as a vet Siobhan cared deeply for animals and some of the older village residents could remember her riding skills, in particular her aptitude at dressage, but Niamh had been surprised to learn they both had enjoyed success at various equestarian events. They spent almost two hours recounting various shows and competitions they had attended in their youth, both finally agreeing that it was a shame niether of them continued to ride. In a moment of craziness, which she later blamed on pregnancy related hormones, Niamh had suggested that once her newest child is born the two women should go riding together, something which Siobhan readily agreed to against her better judgement.

As the night wore on and the two women continued to chat, Niamh began to wonder if Siobhan knew who Assumpta was visiting, and whether she would be betraying her friends trust by bringing up the former curates name in casual conversation.

"I think it's such a shame", she sighed looking down at her diet coke,

"What is?", the vet enquired,

"Oh, just that niether of my children will have been Christened by the same priest that married Ambrose and I. I'd alwys hoped the same one would do my marriage, my children's Christenings and their weddings".

Siobhan's eyes narrowed at the seemingly random nature of her companion's statement. Niamh may not share the same level of qualification as her, but she was a Quigley through-and-through and certainly was able to play clever fishing games, "can't be helped", she shrugged.

"No, but I miss Father Clifford. Father Aiden is nice and all, but he just isn't half as eloquent or friendly",

"He seems perfectly friendly to me", the vet knew the subtext of the conversation but she wasnt going to be the one to bring it to the surface, "he is just a bit odd. Thats all. I'd imagine being a monk will do that to ya",

"I mean, he doesn't spend anytime at the pub with his parishioners, does he? Father Peter would spend hours here". When Siobhan didn't reply, Niamh decided to try and guide the conversation where she wanted it, "then again, maybe he had a different reason to hang around here".

At that point the two women's eyes met showing that Siobhan knew exactly what her companion was implying. "Aye, maybe. But I'd imagine that you and Brendon would know more about that then me". After a brief silence their conversation returned to reminicing about their childhood sucesses in equestarian sports.

*

Once the pub was empty Brendon and Siobhan began to tidy carefully carrying glasses from the bar to the kitchen. Niamh had initially tried to help but her size hindered not only her speed but also her general usefulness.

"Do you think it'd be alright if I kip here?", she asked no-one inparticular, "I just cant face waking Ciaran",

"I doubt her ladyship would care. But we wont tell if you dont", the headteacher-come-barman replied.

Niamh nodded and slowly began to make her way to the stairs considering if she could bring up Peter Clifford again without seeming too obvious. Without turning round she said quietly, "did you know? Did she tell you?". The question was ambiguous enough that Siobhan may have been able to piece it together with their earlier conversation, but Brendon would only know if he knew what she did.

"The whole village knew, or at least suspected, but no, she didnt tell me", Brendon replied nonchalantly,

There was an awkward silence as Niamh made her way to the kitchen table and placed her head in her hands. "I didn't know. I thought she had a bit of a 'thing' for him, the whole lure of the unattainble, but he seemed so innocent that I didnt think it was, or even could be, recipricated", she paused for a moment thinking how she could express her feelings without sounding too naracastic, "I feel like such a fool. If I had been there for her then maybe this whole mess wouldn't have happened",

"This is hardly your fault Niamh", Siobhan interjected, "how could you have stopped her falling for the priest?",

"Oh, I don't know!" she exclaimed as she threw her hands up in exasperation, "but I wouldn't have pushed her towards Leo so vigerously",

Brendon and Siobhan exchanged glances. They both knew that she would've done the complete opposite.

*

The three friends sat in the kitchen talking about the various exchanges and signs they had missed that indicated Peter an Assumpta's friendship was deeper than appeared. As the night went on it became glaringly obvious that Brendon had suspicions long before anyone else and had called Assumpta out on her actions a few times (like when she instigated the petition to have the priest stay in the village). Niamh came to realise she had noticed signs too, but didn't want to believe what had been unfolding in front of her; afterall, ignorence is bliss.

"Did she tell you about the book", Niamh asked in an attempt to divert the conversation from her own denial to something with more substance.

"She did", the teacher acknowledged, "who'd you think left it?"

That was a good question, and one Siobhan was determined to find the answer to. As a more then competent gambler she had learnt how to read people, assess situtions and identify variables, to work out the odds of each outcome.

The first, and most obvious, suspect was Leo. Assumpta had treated him appallingly, married him while she loved another, and had broken his heart. He had even been in Ballykea for a few days and had spent time in the pub. His motive? To upset Assumpta, make her feel uncomfortable, and maybe even warn her about the consequences of her actions (after all he had loved her dearly). The problem? He wasn't in Ballykea long, Assumpta had said he wanted an easy divorce, and Niamh had pointed out he wasn't the passive aggressive type.

The second suspect was Father Mac. Assumpta disliked him and he disliked her. He also disliked Father Clifford and regularly chastised him. He must've known about Peter's feelings for Assumpta. Siobhan assumed that Father Clifford would've confessed his feelings to the parish priest, which is probably why he went on retreat, but the secrecy of confession is sacrosanct. The problem? Father Mac would do anything to protect the church from scandal, and trying to intimidate amd/or rile Assumpta Fitzgerald wpuld likely do the opposite. The publician was well known fo her fiery temper and outbursts of emotion. Furthermore, he'd recently been barred and he didn't have access to the kitchen, meaning he would've needed someone to plant the book for him. Through a process of elinimtaion there was only one person who could've done that: Orla.

Orla. She had regular access to the kitchen and her brother was the priest, meaning she'd have fairly regular dealings with Father Mac and may know about Assumpta's feelings for Peter. The problem? She couldn't see a motive beyond helping Father Mac rile the landlady. But, she was the only one with unmitigated access to the pub's kitchen and therefore the only viable suspect.

"My money's on Orla", she announced, "I'm not sure of her motive, but she is the only one who's had the opportunity to leave the book laying around".