But, as she thought later about how rough he’d been with her, she felt slightly unnerved. She pushed the thought aside. Glynn had a way of setting her alight and she couldn’t wait till the next time she saw him and he took her again.

*

‘Come in,’ shouted Peter when he heard the knock on his office door.

It was Max. Peter had been expecting him and was just about to utter a greeting but something about Max’s bearing stopped him. He looked ill and years older than the last time Peter had seen him, only a few weeks ago. As Max walked into the office, he seemed to be finding it an effort to drag one foot in front of the other and he was panting from the walk upstairs.

The usual ruddiness in Max’s cheeks had almost disappeared. Now his colouring was mostly pallid with a small dot of pink on the apple of each cheek. Peter guessed that the dot of colour must have been a result of the exertion on climbing the stairs. It was accompanied by the usual sheen of sweat, which covered Max’s face.

‘Have a seat, Max. What’s the problem?’ Peter asked, because it was obvious from his appearance that there was a problem.

‘Thanks,’ said Max, pulling out the seat opposite Peter’s. As he sat down he let out a weary breath and his shoulders sagged. ‘Them bloody stairs will be the death of me,’ he commented.

Peter waited for him to gather himself before he told him what he was here for. Max didn’t often visit the club these days, preferring to leave things in Peter’s hands, so whatever it was, it must be important.

‘I’m not so good, Pete,’ he said. ‘My liver’s buggered. I’ve been going through tests for a while but I didn’t want to tell you anything till I knew for sure. Anyway, it’s cirrhosis.’

‘Jesus, Max, that’s bad news, mate!’ said Peter.

‘I know. It’s shit.’

‘Is there anything they can do for it?’

‘Not really, no. They keep hassling me to give up the drink but it’s too bleeding late for that. The way I see it is, I won’t be around that much longer so I might as well enjoy it while I’m here.’

‘I’m really sorry to hear that, mate,’ said Peter and, although he was genuinely sorry, he knew that Max’s deteriorating health would also have an impact on the nightclub business so he waited to see what else Max had to say.

‘Anyway, I’m giving up the nightclub altogether so if you want to buy the other 50 per cent I’m giving you first option.’