‘OK, OK. Maybe it was a coincidence.’

‘Yeah, a bloody big coincidence. Have you checked whether he actually went to see his aunty that night?’

‘Oh, come off it, Adele. I can’t do that. Glynn’s my number two. I’ve got to have some trust in him. He’s helped me a lot, y’know. He’s even sorted out the solicitor for me while I’ve been in here. And he’s the only one who can run the security side of things. He’s the only other person who knows exactly what’s involved.’

His words weren’t convincing. To Adele he sounded as though he was trying to reassure himself about Glynn’s loyalty. ‘Are you really sure you can trust him to run your businesses for you while you’re inside?’ she asked.

‘I didn’t say he was going to look after my businesses, just the security side of things.’

‘Well, what about your other businesses: The Golden Bell, the bookies and—’

‘I was coming to that,’ he cut in before inhaling sharply. ‘I want you to look after them. They’re all kosher. It’s only the security business that’s a bit dodgy.’

‘Hang on a minute,’ she protested, pulling herself back in her chair, and subconsciously creating a physical distance between them.

Peter cut in again before she could continue. ‘I need you to look after them for me, Adele. You’re the best person to do it. You know the accounting side of things and how the businesses run.’

Then he sighed before adding, ‘The truth is, you’re right. I don’t really know who I can trust in my business. Dave and Alan have already betrayed me. And Glynn can be a bit ruthless at times. I need someone who I can depend on to keep an eye on things. That’s why I’m asking you.’

‘No way!’ she said. ‘It’s too risky. I’ve already had David and his sidekick threatening me as it is.’

Peter reached out and took hold of her hand. ‘Please, Adele. I’m begging you. I don’t want to come out of here and find it’s all been pissed away. I know you’ll take care of things for me. Besides, what else will you do? Work for Glynn?’

Adele hadn’t thought that far into the future. Her head had been full of concerns for her brother and the circumstances surrounding his imprisonment. She realised now that she had been relying on him to come up with the answers. But he was shifting the responsibility onto her and it had become terrifying.

‘No, I’ll get a job somewhere else. I don’t know what I’ll do. I’ll think of something,’ she said, uncertainly.

‘Do you really think it’ll be that easy?’ he asked. ‘I mean, you did struggle to find work last time.’