Gabe looked back at Ryan who cleared his throat again and said, ‘I think you’d better take this up, mate, for now.’

‘You know what happened next – part of it,’ Gabe said. ‘You guessed at the time, or Ryan told you, that it was while I was working in the chip shop as well as part-time as a chef and at catering college. Everyone used to pass through the shop and I overheard all sorts of gossip. Ninety-nine per cent of it was bollocks, people mouthing off, bragging what they’d like to do … but occasionally, some of it had a kernel of truth. Some people – sorry, Ryan – can be pretty stupid.’

‘No need to apologise. I’ve been a total twat.’ Ryan sounded quite chipper about the insult. He hadn’t changed a bit in that respect: still the same old Ryan, never taking anything too seriously.

Gabe, however, was far from chirpy. She hadn’t seen him so uncomfortable for a long time, which made her even more twitchy about what was to come. ‘Over the years, I learned to shut my ears to all of the talk. It was none of my business. Until I heard something that was my business. Very much my business. Because it related to you, Sam, and to Zennor.’

Sam’s stomach clenched hard. Her and Zennor? She felt cold. Ryan fixed his eyes on the rug but Gabe’s voice was steady, stronger as if he’d gained courage now he’d started.

‘I knew something was kicking off and I was emptying the trade waste behind the shop. I heard Ryan and his so-called mates mention a snatch of the plan to rob the arcade and I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t want Ryan to get into trouble, I suspected that he was in deep trouble with debts but, for your sake, I did nothing, hoping that a solution might present itself.’

Sam had no words. Her throat was too dry.

‘Don’t blame Gabe,’ said Ryan. ‘He found me in the pub one night. Took me round the back, gave me the mother of all bollockings and warned me not to take part in anything dodgy. I said I wouldn’t, but I was lying. He thought he’d shock me out of getting involved in the job but I was in too deep. Too addicted to get out. It was far worse than you knew, Sam. I owed them over fifty grand with the interest they charged.’

Sam let out a wail. ‘Fifty grand? Oh God, how did I miss what was happening in my own family?’