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conniving old witch had up her sleeve this time. And now she had no comfort zone between herself and the spanking king.
    “I’ll leave yiz to it. Maeve knows where everything is and you might as well get used to each other.” Without giving either Larry or Maeve a moment to get a word in edgeways, she was gone. Maeve could picture the self-satisfied smile that was most likely on her lips as she exited.
    “What’s the witch up to now?” she thought aloud, forgetting that it was exactly that kind of comment that had gotten her in so much bother before.
    “I thought I made it perfectly clear I didn’t want to hear such disrespect towards your grandma. I cannot believe we are having this conversation again so soon,” he said ominously.
    “Yes, Mr Williamson, conversation and that’s as far as it goes,” Maeve warned. “Ok, if it makes you so unhappy, I’ll keep my thoughts about Granny to myself. I love her dearly, I owe her everything, but I know her a damn sight better than you. One day you’ll see her true colours and I promise to try not to laugh too loud when you do, so let’s drop the subject. It seems it’s pretty much you and me now, so can we work together?”
    “I think so, Maeve, but please drop the Mr Williamson. I give you my word, it will be a purely professional relationship from now on. But you will have to make me trust you.”
    “And you have to make me trust you too, Larry. I’m happy to draw a line in the sand if you can guarantee you’ll keep your hands in check. I’ll consider the investment a good will gesture and I’ll work my socks off to see you get a return on your investment. Deal?” She reached across the table and held her hand out as a peace offering. He readily took it.
    “Deal,” he agreed.
    “Now do you want to take a look at the books? To tell the truth I wouldn’t mind a look myself; normally she keeps them under lock and key.”
    They spent the rest of the evening holed away together going through the records, some of which were surprising to Maeve and even more surprising to Larry. The bulk of the outgoings were to the bank, followed by suppliers and then the tax authorities. It was plain that, excluding the repayments on the loan, it was a profitable venture. After a few hours they were going goggle-eyed and Larry asked Maeve to join him for a walk on the beach to clear their heads and she agreed; he was right, it would be much easier if they were at least civil with each other. She arranged extra cover for the dining room that evening so she and Bridie could join Larry and his father for dinner, to cement the deal.
    Over the course of the week they looked at the records for the past few years, discussed a game plan on marketing and increasing takings, and considered the minimum capital needed to keep the place afloat. In spite of getting off on the wrong foot, they worked well together. Maeve was even beginning to lose her resentment about being forced into the business. Now that she was designated manager, it became a matter of pride to her to see it succeed and she was full of ideas to make it all happen.
    Larry was no less enthusiastic and Maeve found his ideas fresh and uninhibited by the Irish psyche; he knew the American market and fully intended to tap into it. In the end, it was agreed, Larry would pump one hundred and fifty thousand euro into the hotel. One hundred thousand was to be used to repay the bank loan; the other fifty thousand was to provide working capital at a much less penal rate than the current overdraft facility. In return, the business would pay him annual interest of five per cent of the capital, and a twenty per cent share of any profits, as long as the loan remained outstanding. After a year, if everything was going satisfactorily, they would look at the costing and investment into the museum.
    Maeve readily agreed to the terms. They were considerably more manageable than the current loan repayments, and there was the added bonus that