‘That “child” is a grown woman, Mum,’ he said viciously, ‘and she can take the helm of all Georgio’s businesses if she wants, I don’t give a damn about that. It’s her interference in my operations that is annoying me.’

Maeve smiled nastily. ‘So, I ask you again, what have you got to hide that’s so important Donna can’t know about it? Is it something to do with Talkto at all?’ Maeve’s voice was heavy with innuendo and Nuala listened in dismay to the burgeoning argument between her mother and brother.

‘Talkto is a good money-making company—’

Maeve interrupted her son, her voice rising in temper. ‘Do you think I’m some kind of fool, me laddo? I knew from day one what the escort agency really was, and it didn’t take me long to suss out this Talkto crap. You’re me son and I love you, Jaysus Himself knows that, but sometimes I wonder just how eejity you think me and your father are.

‘I’ve seen some of the so-called girls that work for you. Even that secretary, the one with the face like a boiled shite, even she isn’t as good as she tries to make out. How she can take your calls and still hold that snooty beak of hers in the air, I don’t know. So don’t you sit there with your big galoot-looking features and come on at me about Donna Brunos! You should take a leaf out of her book, son, and see how a business should be run. I’ve a good mind to take me hand across your arse, as big as you are.’

‘Mum!’ Nuala’s voice was scandalised.

‘Don’t you “Mum” me, Nuala. This one here thinks he’s some kind of gift from God. Well, it’s about time he was knocked down a few pegs. I’ve known for years he was whoring. Sure, your father knew straight off. Escort agency, my arse! Now he has the gall to sit and pull my Donna apart like that because she’s likely found out what he’s up to and, being a decent kind of girl, wants no more to do with it.

‘Him and Georgio were both great disappointments to me, Georgio because he could never see what he already had, only what he wanted, and him because he’s not man enough to get himself a real job, a real business. When I think of them women it turns me stomach inside out. So now you know, Stephen Brunos, that I know all about ye, and I don’t like it.’

He stood up unsteadily. ‘I will forget what you just said, Mum. I can see you’re overwrought.’