Bhí sé stoirmiúil i mBaile Átha Cliath ar Lá Caille.

It was stormy in Baile Átha Cliath on New Year's Day.

Thug an gaoth fuar splanc ar dhroim an chathair, ach taobh istigh sa teach tábhairne, bhí sé te agus fáilteach.

The cold wind struck across the city, but inside the pub, it was warm and welcoming.

Bhí Aoife agus Cillian ina suí ag bord i gcúinne ciúin, an tine ghual ag lasadh go comhghairdealta ina dteannta.

Aoife and Cillian were sitting at a table in a quiet corner, the coal fire burning congenially beside them.

Bhí an pub ollmhór, le huasteorainn adhmaid láidir agus radharc ar an tsráid gheimhridh.

The pub was huge, with a strong wooden ceiling and a view of the winter street.

Choinnigh Aoife a súile socair ar Cillian, a raibh mearbhall le feiceáil air.

Aoife kept her calm eyes on Cillian, who appeared confused.

“Cillian,” a dúirt sí go láidir ach go mall, “ní mise a ghoid an muince.

"Cillian," she said firmly but slowly, "I did not steal the necklace."

”Roimh lá imithe an bhliain roimhe, bhí Aoife páirteach i bpáirtí mór chun an Athbhliain a cheiliúradh.

The year before had vanished just a day prior, as Aoife was participating in a large party to celebrate the New Year.

Sa bhuille ar a dó dhéag, bhí an muince luachmhar imithe as leiceann Aoife, agus chuaigh clú mhíthreorach ar Aoife.

At the stroke of twelve, the valuable necklace had disappeared from Aoife's neck, and she gained an undeserved reputation.

Bhí díomá ar Cillian, “Chonaic mé thú gar don leiceann,” a d’fhreagair sé, a ghuth beagáinín amhrasach.

Cillian was disappointed, "I saw you near the mantelpiece," he replied, his voice somewhat suspicious.

Bhí Aoife foighneach.

Aoife was patient.

“Cillian, tá uaim go mbéifeá liomsa.

"Cillian, I want you to be with me.

Fuair mé rud éigin,” a dúirt sí agus thabhar sí clúdaigh bhán amach lena láimh.

I found something," she said and took out a white envelope with her hand.

Thaispeáin sí píosa beaga páipéar.

She showed him small pieces of paper.

Thóg sé le faoiseamh.

He took it with relief.

Bhí ainm eile scríofa go géar ar an bpáipéir, ainm a raibh aithne acu ar bheirt.

Another name was sharply written on the paper, a name both of them recognized.

Choinnigh Cillian a anáil le hiontas.

Cillian held his breath in astonishment.

“Ó!

"Oh!

Bhí an duine seo gar do ngailearaí san oíche sin,” a dúirt sé.

This person was near the gallery that night," he said.

Chuaigh radharc na súl i gCillian agus Aoife.

Both Cillian and Aoife's eyes met.

Fuair an dá cheann acu dearbhú go raibh an ruaig eile ann iontu féin, duine ó thuaidh a bhí ina scáth san oíche mhór sin.

They both found confirmation of another suspect, someone who was a shadow to the north on that big night.

Bhí dearcadh athraithe ag Cillian, muiníneach i gcumhacht agus macántacht Aoife anois.

Cillian's outlook had changed, now confident in Aoife's power and honesty.

“Tá uaim go rachaimid i ngleic leis an gcoir ina n-iomláine,” a chuir Cillian lena stór focal nuair a bheartaigh sé dul lena cara.

"I want us to tackle the crime in its entirety," Cillian added to his vocabulary when he decided to side with his friend.

Thosaigh an bheirt chun plean a chruthú, lena scéal a mhúnlú agus a gceangal á doimhniú.

The two began to create a plan, shaping their story and deepening their connection.

Ní raibh na ciotaí scéalta críochnaithe, ach bhí tús curtha leo leis an dea-chraiceann agus an muinín achrannach.

The clumsy stories weren't finished, but they had started with good humor and contentious trust.

Las an tine, agus thug an tábhairne teolaí seans do Aoife agus Cillian a gcairdeas a neartú flyé.

The fire burned, and the cozy pub provided Aoife and Cillian the opportunity to strengthen their friendship.

Bhí an gheimhreadh fós leathangabhachtach, ach bhí teimhneacht an dorchadais sothuigthe.

The winter was still overwhelming, but the darkness's obscurity was understandable.

I nglór íseal guth, lean siad ar aghaidh, ag súil le saol níos soiléire mar theacht an bhfómhar.

In a low whisper, they continued on, hoping for a clearer life with the arrival of autumn.