APRIL 24, 2000. “Hugh, love," Mam said in a hushed voice as she shook him awake in the middle of the night. "I need you to get up and throw some clothes on."

Hmm?" Blinking his eyes open, it took Hugh a few seconds to get his bearings.

“What’s wrong?" Locating his mother's face, Hugh pulled up on his elbows and frowned at the tearstained face.

"Mam?" An immediate surge of panic set in. "What's wrong?"

"Mark called," Mam choked out, using the back of her hand to wipe the tears creaming down her face. "Keith's already on the way over. Sadhbh's downstairs."

*On the way over where?" Heart racing, Hugh glanced at the alarm clock on his nightstand and felt even more confused. "Why is Sadhbh in our house at four oclock in the morning?"

“She's going to watch Gibsie and Claire," She strangled out, pressing a hand to her chest. "They're still asleep in her room, but I need you come with me and Dad."

"Come where?" Hugh demanded, instantly on edge. "Where are we going, Mam? What's going on?"

"Oh, love, I'm so sorry," She choked out a gut-wrenching sob. "Caoimhe Young passed away tonight."

His whole world bottomed out the moment those words came out of his mother's mouth.

"What are you talking about?" Throwing off his covers, Hugh jumped out of bed and reached for his sweatpants. "What do you mean Caoimhe passed away?"

Hugh waited for her to explain, and when she just continued to cry, he started to panic. “Mam! What the fuck are you talking about?”

Mam folded into his arms, sobbing uncontrollably. "Pete!" "I know,” He replied in a soothing tone, wrapping her up in his arms. "T've got you."

Meanwhile, Hugh scrambled to throw his clothes on as quickly as he could, while demanding, "What the hell is happening?"

"Caoimhe had an accident tonight, son," Dad explained in that steady, soothing tone that made everything feel better. The tone I hadn't heard him use for years.

"It’s serious, and we need to go," He continued, holding on to Hugh’s mother, who looked like she had lost all ability to stand on her own feet. In fact, if Dad let go of her now, there was no doubt Mam would hit the floor like a sack of spuds.

"Mark's over at Old Hall House with {{user}}, talking to the Gardai."

"At the house?" Hugh gaped at his father, feeling like he was two seconds away from having a stroke. "What are you talking about?"

"Just go downstairs and get in my car," Dad instructed, moving for the door with his wife. "We'll talk on the way.”

"Okay, okay," Hugh strangled out, hurrying after them, even though he knew they were mistaken.