‘I didn’t see it; I was beach side, remember? But I did see a van parked in Portinscale, outside the shop. I only remember because I couldn’t park there as the damn thing was blocking the whole road.’

‘I don’t suppose you got the number plate?’

‘Are you kidding? I didn’t apply for special forces for nothing. Of course I did.’

‘Do you mind if I rejoin you?’ Tilly asked.

‘Please do,’ Johnny replied.

Chapter 26

Marine Light Nautical Antiques had traded since 1912, and had seen better days. The former triple facade, adorned with awnings, silks and clever lighting, was now reduced to a small window at the front of a single plot, with various curiosities in the window and a worn sail hanging across the door. The bell clattered when the man opened it then closed it again, locking it behind him.

A small woman wearing a colourful house coat, glasses perched on the end of her nose, and woollen gloves to compensate for the lack of heat in the dingy shop, tottered towards the counter. She was around seventy years old and had a kind, enquiring face, but piercing, no-bullshit eyes. Her red lips smiled at her visitor and she nodded to the door.

‘Locked,’ he confirmed.

‘No funny business,’ she warned. ‘Follow me.’

The back of the shop was a mess. He was led into some kind of office strewn with papers. He didn’t touch anything.

The woman pointed to the door. The man turned and closed it. They faced one another. She indicated a camera in the corner and he rolled his eyes.

‘Look, lady, if I wanted to get rid of you, I would have done it by now, maybe when you were visiting your daughter yesterday, or dropping your grandkids at school on Tuesday.’

The woman’s face froze in horror. ‘You bastard.’

‘Whatever. You got the bonds? The goods are all set, and here’s the key. You get the whole damn lot on sale, bar thirty per cent. I’d stop whingeing if I were you.’ He opened his jacket and showed her a pistol in his inside pocket. It was just out of view of the camera.

‘No money up front. You touch my grandkids and I’ll rip your balls off.’

The man laughed. ‘I bet you would, Brenda. Now stop pissing around.’

She smiled and reached into a drawer, handing him an envelope containing fifty grand’s worth of saleable investment bonds in the name of her dead husband. It was his insurance. Hers was the camera he couldn’t see.

‘Think you can shift it?’

‘Of course! Have I ever let you down?’

‘No, Aunt Brenda, you haven’t. How are the kids anyway?’

‘Ah, I can spoil them and hand them back. It’s been a long time; come for supper soon.’

‘I need to lie low for a bit.’

‘You made a mistake? You get too cocky?’