If she was to command the respect of the staff then she had to get things off on the right footing. And it had to be in Peter’s office. It was a psychological move. This was the office where the boss had always been based, regardless of the fact that Glynn had been making himself at home there since Peter had been behind bars.

Glynn was the first to arrive and he automatically stood next to her, on the side of the desk where the boss sat. But he couldn’t take the seat; Adele was already sitting there.

‘What’s all this about?’ he demanded. ‘Is it something to do with your visit to Pete the other day?’

‘You’ll find out soon enough,’ she said, trying to disguise the feeling of trepidation that had her heart doing somersaults. She hoped he hadn’t connected the flush in her cheeks with the rush of fear that swept through her.

To Adele’s relief Paula soon arrived with another of the barmaids, breaking the awkward atmosphere that hung over the room.

‘Come in, take a seat,’ Adele said to each of the staff as they arrived, indicating the seats that she had placed at the opposite side of the desk.

‘Is everybody here?’ she asked, when the office was full.

A few of the staff muttered a yes so she stood up to speak, ignoring her trembling knees. ‘As you’re probably aware,’ she began. ‘My brother is currently being held in Strangeways. I’m not about to go into the details right now but I just want you to know that it could be some time before he’s back at work.’

She paused, allowing the staff to digest these opening words before she carried on. When the mutterings around the room settled to a lull, she said, ‘In his absence he’s left me in charge of a number of his businesses.’

Adele couldn’t resist a quick peek across at Glynn and she noticed the stony expression of fury that clouded his handsome features.

‘I’ll be looking after the nightclub as well as my brother’s sunbed salons and the bookmaker’s, she continued. So, if you have any problems, you are to take them up with me. Is everybody clear on that?’

When the staff had mumbled their agreement she said, ‘Has anybody got any questions?’

‘Yes!’ said Glynn, his voice booming out. ‘When will all this take effect?’

‘Immediately,’ Adele quickly replied, meeting his eyes and seeing the steely look of hatred that flashed from them. For a few moments he glared at her until she broke his gaze and turned back to address the staff. ‘That’s all for now,’ she said, glad that it was over.

The staff filed out of the office, apart from Glynn, who hung back. As soon as the last of the staff had left he asked, ‘When the fuck was all this agreed?’