It was St Brigid's Day at the start of the month -- she's one of Ireland's patron saints, along with St Patrick, which is why so many women in Ireland are named after her, including my mother, and indeed in part my daughter Gaia, whose middle name is derived from it.

Mrs Shan took our two little ones to a local St Brigid's well (there are loads of those in Ireland) in honour of her on the day, so that Dante could say a little prayer, and collect some holy water, along with some reeds to make a St Brigid's cross when they were back home.

Me? I was busy editing Volume 2 of Archibald Lox. Well, someone in the Shan household has to put in a day's work, right?!? :-) :-) :-)