‘It pays to keep her sweet,’ said Sam with a lascivious smirk. ‘And I need to get home while she’s still awake if I want my fuckin’ payback.’

The men jeered again and David added, ‘No wonder she wants you fuckin’ sober, mate. She’s probably frightened you’ll get brewer’s droop.’

‘Not me, mate,’ Sam laughed. ‘I’m always up for it.’

‘Hang on!’ said Alan. ‘Before you go, I just wanna check; are you clear about what you have to do with that next job?’

‘Yeah, sure I am. No problems.’

‘OK, see you soon, mate,’ said Alan.

‘Give her one for me,’ shouted David, and Sam left the Sportsman’s to the sound of laughter and loud, excited chatter coming from the side room that the gang had now earmarked as their own.

*

Glynn and Mike were sitting in a black BMW a few doors down from the Sportsman’s, watching.

‘D’you know,’ said Mike, ‘Pete never seems to do any of the dirty work, does he?’

‘Suppose not,’ said Glynn. Then he laughed. ‘That’s what he’s got us for.’

Mike’s lips turned up at the corners. ‘Makes me wonder, though, has he got the bottle for it?’

‘Oh, yeah, course he has.’

‘Well, I hope so ’cos he’d be a piss-poor leader if he hasn’t.’

Glynn looked pointedly at Mike. ‘What you suggesting?’ he asked.

‘Nowt, just saying. In my opinion you’d run the show better than him. You’ve got the bottle for it. I’m not sure Pete has, that’s all.’

Glynn was about to respond when something caught his eye. ‘Here he is now,’ he said, on spotting Sam’s unmistakable shock of red hair. ‘Quick, get down. We don’t want him to see us straight away.’

‘I can’t believe he’s on his own,’ said Mike, who was bent forward so he couldn’t be seen through the windscreen. ‘This’ll be easier than I thought.’

‘Shush,’ whispered Glynn, who also had his body bent forward but his head turned to the side so he could watch Sam as he passed the car.

It wasn’t long before Sam drew level. ‘Here he is now. Let’s go!’ ordered Glynn.

He shoved open the passenger door of the BMW, hitting Sam full on and almost knocking him off his feet. Momentarily registering the look of shock on Sam’s face, Glynn charged at him, gripping him in a bear hug and dragging him towards the car.

By the time Sam realised what was happening, Mike had run round the car and approached him from behind. He thrust his hand over Sam’s mouth while they both shunted him along the pavement. Sam put up a struggle but they were too strong for him. As soon as they reached the boot of the car they tossed him inside and locked it.

‘Right. Fuckin’ move it!’ ordered Glynn.