‘His wife die in bed,’ she said. ‘And I do not want to sleep with death.’

‘I’ll have that one, then,’ Nick said, covering a yawn with his hand as he, too, stood up.

‘What about him?’ Irena nodded in Frank’s direction.

‘He’s going in the cellar,’ Karel said, gesturing for Frank to get up.

‘Is too cold,’ Irena argued.

Karel narrowed his eyes.

‘Why do you care if he’s cold?’

‘I do not care about him,’ she replied evenly. ‘But if he freeze, we lose everything. I have wait long time for you to leave prison and join me here, and I have suffer, so I do not want to risk him die before he sign papers.’

Karel pursed his thick lips thoughtfully. Then, nodding, he said, ‘OK, he can sleep with his dead wife. Nick’ll stay with him and keep an eye on him.’

‘You can fuck that right off,’ Nick protested.

If Frank had been in any doubt as to who was in control, Karel made it clear when he seized his friend by the throat and stared into his eyes.

‘Who’s the boss here? Me or you?’

‘You,’ Nick spluttered.

‘Dead right,’ Karel said, releasing his grip and patting the man’s cheek none too gently. ‘And don’t forget it again, or you know what’ll happen.’

‘I still don’t see why I’ve got to kip with him,’ Nick muttered, rubbing his throat, on which the imprints of Karel’s fingertips were blossoming. ‘Give him some shit to knock him out if you’re scared he’s going to escape.’

‘Right, here . . .’ Karel took a small clear plastic bag containing tablets out of his pocket and tossed it to him.

‘You don’t have to do that,’ Frank said. ‘I’ve already told you I’m not going to try anything.’

‘And I’ve already told you it’s better to be safe than sorry,’ Karel relied smoothly, putting his arm around Irena’s waist and picking up the shotgun before ushering her out of the room.

‘Just you and me now, Frankie boy,’ Nick grinned, shaking four of the tablets out of the bag before sliding his gun out of his waistband. ‘Here you go.’ He handed the tablets over. ‘Take them, then open your gob so I can make sure you’ve swallowed ’em.’

‘I can’t swallow them dry,’ Frank said tersely. ‘I need water.’

‘Get ’em down your fuckin’ neck,’ Nick barked, swinging his arm back.

‘OK!’ Frank conceded, ducking his already injured head. ‘I’ll take them.’

‘Good lad,’ Nick sneered, watching as Frank stuffed the tablets into his mouth. ‘Keep this up, and you an’ me are gonna get along all right.’