‘Well, you’re not doing a very good job of looking after them, are you? When my men walked into the George and Dragon, Pat practically fuckin’ begged us to take the money.’

Peter noticed the sly grin on David’s face as Alan spoke. He sighed, then said, ‘Look, Alan. What is it you want? I’ve offered you an in with the firm. There’s still a place for you if you want it.’

‘And what about Dave? Is there a place for him?’ Alan snapped.

‘You know the answer to that one,’ Peter said, glancing across at David.

‘Yeah, because that bastard stitched me up!’ shouted David, nodding towards Glynn.

‘You stitched your fuckin’ self up, you loser,’ Glynn retaliated.

David got up out of his chair. ‘You know that’s a fuckin’ lie!’ he shouted, pointing viciously at Glynn.

Glynn made a move towards David but Peter held him back. ‘Leave it, Glynn,’ he said. ‘We’ve come here to sort things out, not to make more fuckin’ aggro.’ Then he turned to Alan again. ‘What’s your answer?’

‘It’s a no. I don’t like the fuckin’ company you keep. And did you really think I’d want to work with you after what those tossers did to Sam?’ Alan said, eyeing Glynn.

Peter ignored Glynn’s reference to Sam, knowing that he couldn’t find words to excuse what Glynn and Mike had done. He could have mentioned what Alan’s gang had done to Sandra, but that would only inflame the situation. Instead he said, ‘Right, if you don’t wanna work for me then fair enough, but I’m asking you one last time to leave our businesses alone.’

‘Or else?’ asked David.

‘Repercussions,’ said Glynn, with a sinister air.

This time Alan stood up. ‘Fuckin’ bring it on!’ he yelled.

Glynn lunged towards him but Peter managed to hold him back. He nodded to his men at the door who dashed over. ‘Grab him,’ he said, between gritted teeth.

The two heavies got hold of Glynn and pulled him towards the exit while Alan and David sprang forward menacingly. Peter held up a placatory hand. ‘It’s OK, we’re going,’ he said.

He waited till he was halfway across the room then, to save face, he turned round and added, ‘This isn’t the end of it, Alan. But don’t forget, I tried to do things nicely and you wouldn’t fuckin’ have it.’

Glynn waited till they were outside before addressing Peter. ‘What the fuck you playin’ at?’ he yelled, when the two heavies let go of him. He swiped his hands viciously down his suit, smoothing imaginary creases where the heavies had gripped him. ‘You made yourself look a right fuckin’ mug! And me, too.’

‘Did I fuck!’ said Peter. ‘I told you to keep out of it. You’ve just wound Alan up more.’