The young man fidgets with his cup and taps his feet a bit more than necessary to the good music. He keeps glancing at Ruadri while the corners of his mouth twitch, as if he can barely hold back from speaking.

Finally I mumble that I must step outside for a moment. That will give Ru a chance to speak in privacy with his friend.

The sky is clear and studded with stars. A fair wind blows from the south. How I wish I was on my way home to Jura. I can almost hear my daughters crying for me across the water. They must wonder if I am lost at sea.

When I return to the inn, Ruadri and Ru are talking excited together. They stop short as soon as I join them again.

I take out one more piece of silver and toss it in the air to catch the eye of the cook. The harper is still playing but most of the folks have gone home. "Another round for me and my friends," I smile at Gruoch, who quickly tucks the silver away. "And bring us more broonie if there's any left to be had!"

She fills our cups again and scurries off to the kitchen. When she comes back, I ask if there is a place where I can sleep here in this inn, just for a night or two, until I can either repair my leaky curragh or trade for a new one.