Then Adele thought about how he’d helped her out when she was in trouble some years ago. She decided to speak to him first; she owed him that much, at least. But she wasn’t about to let him off lightly. She wanted to know what the hell was going on. But she couldn’t do it by phone; this matter was far too delicate to be handled that way. No, the best way to find out would be to see him face to face.

Apart from being shaken, Adele was angry. She’d just been viciously manhandled and threatened because of something her brother was involved in. And now, thanks to him, she no longer felt safe in her own home.

In the end she decided to take a cab to the club. As soon as the cab came to pick her up she left her flat, double-checking that the door was securely locked. Then she dashed downstairs and out of the building, locking the main door behind her. She heaved a sigh of relief once she was tucked inside the taxi.

When she arrived at the club, Adele marched up to Peter’s office, ready to confront him. To her dismay, Glynn was also there, standing to one side of Peter’s desk. For a moment she balked, but then her anger took over and she slammed the door shut behind her. There was no way she was going to let Glynn stand in the way of what she had to say.

‘I don’t know what sort of shit you two are involved in but I’ve just been fuckin’ threatened outside my flat!’ she yelled. ‘Just what the hell is going on?’

‘Calm the fuck down,’ said Peter while Glynn eyed her warily.

‘Don’t tell me to calm down when I’ve just been dragged off my fuckin’ front steps and threatened by that bastard David!’

Peter raised his eyebrows. ‘David? What did he say?’ he asked.

‘Something about them having two of your clubs. Oh, and they won’t be paid off any more.’

‘Bastards!’ cursed Glynn, and she noticed him exchange a brief look with Peter.

‘What the hell was he talking about?’ Adele continued. ‘I thought you only had this one club.’

‘OK, calm down and I’ll explain,’ said Peter.

Adele dragged out a chair, plonked herself on it and folded her arms across her chest. She glared across at Peter, who was sitting on the other side of the desk, then up at Glynn before her eyes settled back on her brother. ‘Right, I’m calm,’ she said, her face stern. ‘Start explaining.’

‘OK,’ said Peter. ‘I need to know more first. Which clubs was he talking about? Did he say?’

‘Angels and summat beginning with B.’

‘Angels and Bramleys?’ asked Peter.

‘Yeah, that’s right.’