‘Well, going over the lists, I found some of them were well-known nancies.’

Briony giggled. This man was so finicky it made her want to roar with laughter.

‘Listen, Marcus, those men are part of my staff, not yours, love. They’ll be working there just like the girls. You just worry about the heavies. Anyone else is my business, OK?’

Marcus relaxed visibly.

‘Thank Gawd for that! I didn’t really fancy keeping them in order. Give me a big burly docker any day of the week. Every place I’ve worked with them, they’re murder.’

‘Not all of them, love. Most are no different to me and you. They just have a different outlook on life, that’s all.’

Marcus raised his eyebrows saucily and said, ‘Well, I agree with you there anyway. Everything’s running smoothly, I saw Mariah earlier, the work is nearly done. Another week or two at the most. The plasterers are finished. Soon it’ll be ready for the redecoration.’

Briony nodded.

‘Me and Mariah have that all in hand. By the way, I wanted to ask you something personal.’

Marcus scowled.

‘What’s that, Miss Cavanagh?’

‘Next time you give my sister Bernadette a lift home, turn your engine off, would you? Only you kept half the bleeding street awake last night, and the night before.’

Marcus reddened and Briony laughed gently.

‘Surely you didn’t think you could keep that a secret, did you? Everyone knows. I was told about you and her within minutes of you being seen together. I look out for my sisters, you see, I take a deep interest in what they’re doing.’

It was a veiled threat and he knew it.

‘I happen to have a very high regard for Bernadette, but we’ve only been seeing each other a week. So it’s early days yet. We’re friends, that’s all.’

Briony nodded.

‘Well, she’s a big girl now. How’s the recruiting going for the bar staff at the Manor?’

Marcus relaxed, back on his own territory once more.

‘I’ve decided on the men. I thought the heavies could be incorporated better as barmen, etcetera. Then, they’ll be there all the time, should any trouble arise. I’ll suit and boot them up, give them a good talking to beforehand, and hopefully they’ll blend in with the wallpaper.’

Briony grinned.

‘I can’t see Big Denny Callaghan blending in with pale grey walls somehow, can you?’

Marcus also laughed.

‘Big Denny is on the door, Briony. It’s the only place for him!’

‘Good. Well, you seem to have everything in hand. I want you to take over a lot from me, Marcus, as you know. I want you to run the Manor, do all the heavying so to speak. But any major decisions will be mine.’

Marcus Dowling smiled.

‘Of course.’

‘And Mariah’s. Who could forget Mariah!’

Marcus relaxed in his chair, crossing his legs.