Blackie noticed that his uncle looked more amused than annoyed, and this pleased him. After he had recounted the conversation, it had struck him that Uncle Pat might be irritated, or perhaps even cross with Finn for even contemplating the idea of going to the Ham Shank, and on a Saturday night, of all nights in the week.

Relieved that his uncle had accepted his story at face value, Blackie explained, “Finn knew she was living in the Bank on Richmond Hill, but he didn’t know what a rough place it was. I had ter fill him in, sure and I did, Uncle Pat. I can tell ye Finn was startled, faith and he was. I will go as far as to say he was shocked.”

Patrick nodded. “You were wise to give him the true picture, and I suppose his Irish friend in London has no idea about the Ham Shank either. He’s newly arrived, didn’t you say?”

“I did, and I was afeared for Finn at first, because I don’t think he believed me. He surely does now. He does want to meet this girl, though, and so I said we would go with him next Saturday, a week from today. In the morning.…” Blackie paused, leaned forward with his arms on the table. “Ye will come, won’t ye, Uncle Pat? Sort of escort us?”

For a few seconds Patrick did not answer, wondering what this was all about … Finn’s obvious determination to meet a girl just come to Leeds from Ireland. He suddenly wondered if Finn was homesick, wanted something from the past. He asked Blackie, “Who is Finn’s friend in London? What’s his name?”

“Tommy O’Hara and he’s from Galway.”

“And who is this girl Finn’s so keen to meet?” Patrick’s eyes were riveted on Blackie.

“Her name is Moira Aherne, and she must be … well, special, I am thinking, Uncle, because Tommy was so insistent. Anyway, that was the way Finn did put it to me. He said Tommy was insistent.”

Patrick shook his head, a perplexed expression on his face. After a moment’s thought, he said, “I feel sorry for this young colleen. She’s come over from the ould sod, no doubt with great expectations, only to end up in the Ham Shank, a rathole if ever there was one. Not the right place for a young girl.”

“Will ye go with us next Saturday? Please.”

Patrick did not hesitate for a second. “Of course I will. I might even ask Jack Blane to come with us. He can be tough and he’s strong. Saturday follows Friday, and that’s more than likely another night of heavy boozing, rampage and murderous intent.”

These words struck hard at Blackie, and went deep. Looking over at his uncle, he said, “The men who live there … I can’t believe they’re all Irish.”