Maeve butted in, her voice impatient, ‘You’re not a stupid person, Paddy, and neither am I. Nuala told me that you are now the main runner for the businesses. Fair enough. Now I also find out that Davey and that eejit of a wife of his are running the car lot. Dolly informs me that Donna is out morning, noon and night, here, there and everywhere. So I ask you again - and I’m rapidly losing the little patience I’ve got, mind - what is going on?’

‘That’s another question, Maeve . . .’

‘Oh, for God’s sakes, stop playing around, Paddy! I’m not in the mood. There’s my Stephen walking round with a face like a madman’s arse. Donna is out annoying the life out of him. Dolly is telling me things, but not all she knows. You’re looking at me as if I’ve just grown another head, and to top it all Donna’s on her way up to Scotland for the weekend. Now I ask you one last time before I rip out the few remaining hairs on your head: what is going on?’

Paddy picked up his hip flask and took a deep swig.

‘Nothing’s going on, Maeve.’

She shook her head sadly. ‘I always liked you, Paddy, you are a good Corkman. I remember you when you came over and started work with my Georgio. I visited your wife in hospital, I attended her death and her burial. I babysat your children. I reminisced about the old country with you. And now you have the gall to sit there and try to pull the wool over my eyes!

‘Pa is convinced something’s afoot, and so am I. Stephen is like a loony, he’s convinced that something’s going down that he doesn’t know about, and for once I think he’s right. If you don’t stop rawmaishing now, Paddy, and tell me what’s up, I’ll go and ask Georgio myself.’

Paddy took another long swig from the hip flask, the Jameson’s burning into his stomach.

‘I can’t tell you, Maeve. The fewer people in the know the better. I’m not going to insult you by pretending there’s nothing going on. Just be content when I tell you I can’t discuss it.’

Paddy’s heart sank as he saw Maeve’s mouth settle into a hard thin line.

‘Right then. If that’s what you say, I’ll go to Georgio himself. Stephen can come with me. In fact, I think I’ll get Stephen to make some enquiries . . .’

Paddy interrupted her.

‘The further Stephen is from all this, the better, Maeve. Don’t let on to him about anything. That is one thing Georgio is adamant about. He doesn’t want him involved at all.’

Maeve’s eyes narrowed to slits. ‘Why? His own flesh and blood. Is it dangerous?’