‘Because it all happened in a bit of a rush,’ he said through clenched teeth. ‘I got a call to say my aunty had taken a turn for the worst.’

She looked at Glynn, unsure whether to believe him, and examining his face for any signs. But he was difficult to read. Maybe there was some truth in what he was saying. She wasn’t sure.

Adele was just about to ask him more questions when Mike arrived. Without saying anything further, Glynn rushed off, and he and Mike both went through the door that led to the upstairs offices, leaving Adele anxious and frustrated.

*

The following morning Adele awoke from a fitful sleep. Despite the cool weather she was sweat-drenched. Peter was the first thing on her mind and she wondered if he had returned home yet. She rang his apartment straight away but again the phone went unanswered. So she rang Glynn, but there was no answer from him either, or from the offices above the Golden Bell.

Adele showered and dressed quickly, then left without eating, hoping she might find out more once she arrived at the club. But neither Peter nor Glynn nor Mike was at the Golden Bell when she arrived.

Although it was a Sunday, she spent an anxious few hours poring over her bookkeeping to take her mind off things. It didn’t work. When lunchtime arrived she left her office and went downstairs, intending to go outside for some fresh air. But there inside the club were Glynn and Mike, deep in conversation.

She rushed up to them but Mike walked away as soon as he spotted her, leaving her alone with Glynn.

‘Have you seen anything of Peter?’ she asked.

‘No, but Mike’s just brought me some news,’ he replied.

She looked at him, curious, until he spoke again. ‘He’s been arrested.’

‘W-what for?’

‘He was out on a raid last night.’

‘A raid? What do you mean?’

‘Oh, come on, Adele. You’re not that fuckin’ naïve,’ he snarled. Then she thought she spotted the faint sign of a smirk as he added, ‘The coppers caught him attacking the bouncers at Angels.’

‘What? Why?’

‘Why d’you fuckin’ think? You know what game we’re in, surely. The security business is no fuckin’ walk in the park, y’know.’

He started to move away but she stopped him again, grabbing hold of his arm.

‘What?’ he yelled, pulling his arm away.

‘What did he do?’ she asked.

‘They caught him with a machete. He made a bit of a mess of the bouncers, apparently.’

‘You knew what was going on last night and you wouldn’t tell me!’ she accused. When Glynn just shrugged, she asked, ‘Where is he? I need to go and see him.’