‘I’m not fuckin’ lying!’ David squealed, his face now blood soaked and contorted with pain.

Peter stepped up to David so their faces were only centimetres apart.

‘I know what you’ve been up to so don’t keep telling me fuckin’ lies!’ he hissed.

David opened his mouth to speak again but the sight of his former friend’s angry face silenced him. Peter’s face was blood red, and the veins in his throat were taut.

‘I can’t fuckin’ trust you anymore! You’re a loose cannon, Dave,’ he said, his voice now a mix of anger and bitter disappointment.

Peter quickly checked himself, not wanting to show any sign of weakness, and his voice took on a more menacing tone. ‘I should have known by the way you’ve been acting lately. Getting too big for your fuckin’ boots!’

As Peter spoke the last words he aimed a sharp blow to David’s gut. David doubled over, squealing in agony. While Glynn held David from behind, Peter continued to rain punches. His aggressive onslaught helped him release his fury and disappointment in his one-time friend. When David begged for mercy and screamed out in pain, Peter became even angrier, belting him repeatedly as the blood spattered around them.

He didn’t stop until his fists were sore. Then he stood back, eyeing David’s bloody, swollen face. ‘You’re a fuckin’ disaster, Dave,’ he cursed. ‘Get back to your coke-head mates. You’re no fuckin’ use to me now.’

Peter walked away and signalled for Glynn to follow. As Glynn let go of David, he slumped to the ground.

‘What a fuckin’ loser,’ Peter muttered as they made their way out.

Peter was upset as well as angry. He felt bad having to punish David. He’d been his friend for a long time and they’d been through a lot together. Doling out punishments was one thing, but doing it to a former mate was another matter. But he couldn’t afford not to. David had to be taught a lesson. No one took the piss out of Peter Robinson and got away with it.

As he made his way out of David’s home, Peter was already feeling remorseful. He knew it was the drugs that had turned his friend. Once they got a grip, you lost all logic. But he couldn’t carry someone like that. He’d be forever watching his back. He couldn’t trust someone who had lied and deceived him. So, he walked away to the sound of David still protesting his innocence.

*

Caroline wished she hadn’t let Adele rope her into her kickboxing session again. Despite Caroline’s criminal history, all that wanton aggression just wasn’t her scene at all. But Adele needed someone to partner her while she practised her moves and Caroline didn’t like to refuse a good friend.