objected. “It’s too public.”
“Fine, kitchen then, and Mary can cover reception.”
She made a pot of tea, well known in Connemara for its restorative powers, and they both sat down at the huge table. Maeve started at the beginning, how she had begged Larry to reconsider his stance after their row, how he had punished her, then the change of mind about the money to buy her silence. She explained about how she had come to like working with him and then the mixed messages yesterday, culminating in her making a fool of herself. By the end she was crying again. And it really didn’t help when Bridie started to laugh.
“The smacking was my fault, I encouraged it because you badly needed someone to put a bit of manners on you and I’m not fit to give it. You need to grow up, Maeve. I let you get away with too much because I felt sorry for you about your mam and dad. Well, well… I didn’t think he’d have the nerve… I’ll bet that’s half the reason you fancy him now.”
Maeve looked askance at the older woman. While she was really indignant about her laughter, she was stunned at Bridie’s perception of why she was interested in Larry. She didn’t get a chance to interrupt though because the old woman was on a roll.
“And even if he finds you as sexy as hell, some Americans are much more conservative in their outlook to sex than you youngsters, and good on them. Irish lassies are in too big of a hurry to drop their drawers if you ask me. Sure you probably scared the pants off him.” She was snorting with laughter now and it was infectious. Maeve ended up laughing too, in between her tears.
“How the hell do you know all this? You’re bloody seventy and I’m twenty-four and clueless. Do you really think I scared him? That’s funny. I was shaking in my boots, but couldn’t help pushing it.”
“My advice to you, which I’m sure you’ll ignore as usual, is to leave well enough alone for now. Keep him at arm’s length. If he’s man enough, he’ll make the next move; if he’s not, then he’s a small loss as you’ll have no respect for him in the end anyway. I can’t be doing with these girly boys; a man’s a man. To hell with being in touch with their so-called feminine side. Now go and wash that face and refresh the makeup and put the bright side out.”
Maeve rose to do what she was told, but on her way out she kissed her old granny.
“You drive me nuts, but you’re pretty wise at times. Thanks. Now if the bugger rings again, tell him I’m out but he can email me.”
“That’s my girl. Go down fighting.”
He did call again, and Maeve had the satisfaction of hearing Bridie pass on her message. She could picture him fuming, but pity about him. He bought the Smartphone; he might as well put it to good use.
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Last night
Damn, Maeve,
Why won’t you give me a chance to explain in person? Email is no way to talk about this. I’ve written and deleted about twenty mails so far and sooner or later I’ll send one.
You’re a beautiful young woman, of course I wanted you. Who wouldn’t? I’m totally flattered by you but it’s all wrong for so many reasons; I’m too old, we’re in business together, I live in a different country, and you’re too wilful for me. We could have been intimate last night, but then this morning we would be full of regrets. While I regret upsetting you, at least we didn’t wake up this morning ruing what we had done and we can still work together. Could we have done that if we’d slept together?
Please reply ASAP, I can’t stand this silence.
Larry
Maeve was furious. Flattered? The cheek of him! And how dare he call her wilful ? The way she saw it he had been toying with her all day, touching her so much. If that was the way he wanted it, two could play at that game.
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject:
“Fine, kitchen then, and Mary can cover reception.”
She made a pot of tea, well known in Connemara for its restorative powers, and they both sat down at the huge table. Maeve started at the beginning, how she had begged Larry to reconsider his stance after their row, how he had punished her, then the change of mind about the money to buy her silence. She explained about how she had come to like working with him and then the mixed messages yesterday, culminating in her making a fool of herself. By the end she was crying again. And it really didn’t help when Bridie started to laugh.
“The smacking was my fault, I encouraged it because you badly needed someone to put a bit of manners on you and I’m not fit to give it. You need to grow up, Maeve. I let you get away with too much because I felt sorry for you about your mam and dad. Well, well… I didn’t think he’d have the nerve… I’ll bet that’s half the reason you fancy him now.”
Maeve looked askance at the older woman. While she was really indignant about her laughter, she was stunned at Bridie’s perception of why she was interested in Larry. She didn’t get a chance to interrupt though because the old woman was on a roll.
“And even if he finds you as sexy as hell, some Americans are much more conservative in their outlook to sex than you youngsters, and good on them. Irish lassies are in too big of a hurry to drop their drawers if you ask me. Sure you probably scared the pants off him.” She was snorting with laughter now and it was infectious. Maeve ended up laughing too, in between her tears.
“How the hell do you know all this? You’re bloody seventy and I’m twenty-four and clueless. Do you really think I scared him? That’s funny. I was shaking in my boots, but couldn’t help pushing it.”
“My advice to you, which I’m sure you’ll ignore as usual, is to leave well enough alone for now. Keep him at arm’s length. If he’s man enough, he’ll make the next move; if he’s not, then he’s a small loss as you’ll have no respect for him in the end anyway. I can’t be doing with these girly boys; a man’s a man. To hell with being in touch with their so-called feminine side. Now go and wash that face and refresh the makeup and put the bright side out.”
Maeve rose to do what she was told, but on her way out she kissed her old granny.
“You drive me nuts, but you’re pretty wise at times. Thanks. Now if the bugger rings again, tell him I’m out but he can email me.”
“That’s my girl. Go down fighting.”
He did call again, and Maeve had the satisfaction of hearing Bridie pass on her message. She could picture him fuming, but pity about him. He bought the Smartphone; he might as well put it to good use.
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Last night
Damn, Maeve,
Why won’t you give me a chance to explain in person? Email is no way to talk about this. I’ve written and deleted about twenty mails so far and sooner or later I’ll send one.
You’re a beautiful young woman, of course I wanted you. Who wouldn’t? I’m totally flattered by you but it’s all wrong for so many reasons; I’m too old, we’re in business together, I live in a different country, and you’re too wilful for me. We could have been intimate last night, but then this morning we would be full of regrets. While I regret upsetting you, at least we didn’t wake up this morning ruing what we had done and we can still work together. Could we have done that if we’d slept together?
Please reply ASAP, I can’t stand this silence.
Larry
Maeve was furious. Flattered? The cheek of him! And how dare he call her wilful ? The way she saw it he had been toying with her all day, touching her so much. If that was the way he wanted it, two could play at that game.
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject:
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