Mack smiled. “That would be amazing. I know she’d love that. I’ll ask her mum about it. Isy’s not getting to school very much at the moment, because of her anxiety. Maybe a real job of her own would give her some confidence.”

“I think so.”

They arrived at Sweet Surprise, and the awkwardness returned. “Thank you for a lovely walk and dance, Mack.” She then kissed Dex on the cheek, just as she would have liked to kiss Mack goodbye.

“You’re welcome. See you later.”

Chapter Eleven

Mack paced around her cousin Nikki’s office, waiting for her to finish a meeting in the boardroom. The Sharkey business office was in a Georgian building, a large former bank. It gave all of those called Sharkey such pride that they’d arrived as penniless immigrants from Ireland and grew to occupy a former bank as their headquarters.

Her thoughts were interrupted by Nikki coming through the interconnecting door from the boardroom to her offices.

“Idiots,” Nikki said with frustration as she dropped her iPad on her desk.

“Who are the idiots?” Mack asked.

“Local councillors.” Nikki sighed and sat at her desk. “I want to bring jobs to the area, and they’re quibbling about a planning regulation.”

“Where for?” Mack asked.

“The former shipbuilding office building on the Clyde. It’s a Category C listed building, but it’s been empty for fifty years, mostly just used by junkies and as a drinking den for teenagers.”

“Is that where you wanted to put the hotel development?” Mack asked.

“Exactly. It’s a perfect spot near the town centre, but those idiots would rather keep it as it is. A historical building that’s falling down that people use for drinking and drug taking.”

“Maybe a few back-handers to the council members?” Mack suggested.

“It’s probably what they’re expecting, but they don’t deserve a penny.” Nikki sat back in her chair. “I’ll leave it for a while, then maybe…who knows what could happen down there?”

Mack played along. “You’re right. The homeless building fires to keep warm? The teenagers messing about with matches…”

It was a tried-and-tested method employed by both underworld figures and even more reputable firms. If you couldn’t get a plot of land because of planning restrictions, you’d wait for an accidental fire to engulf the building, then swoop in with a lowball offer for the land.

Mack had made it happen before.

“That’s right, but you”—Nikki pointed her pen at Mack—“you are having nothing to do with it. My ma has warned me. You are to be kept out of the firing line.”

“Hmm…we’ll see. Anyway, I wanted to ask you about something. Flora’s going to put up the shop’s Christmas decorations, and I’m taking her to the wholesaler on Sunday to pick out some new things. I thought Isy would enjoy it.”