It’d be so easy to put my hands around his neck and squeeze hard. There’d be a count of five in it, before he went limp. I make myself breathe. I don’t turn around. ‘Got my breaking point,’ I say, trying to sound calm. ‘And that’s Blackthorn. Maybe you didn’t understand, before. You threaten her, you deal with me. And you’d want to do better than those two lads for bodyguards if that happens. Don’t say her name again, Master Tóla. Don’t even think of it.’

‘This is over,’ he says, cold as cold. ‘No word of this discussion, here or anywhere, understand? I don’t want to have to warn you again.’

‘Right,’ I say. Mustn’t understand how easy I could kill him. Or how angry I get when folk insult Blackthorn. Or why. Well, he wouldn’t know that. Nobody does but her and me and Mathuin’s thugs.

‘I need the job finished,’ he says. Voice is shaking a bit. Maybe I scared him. ‘I must have the heartwood house completed. Until that is done, we will be plagued by ill fortune. When the house stands true and perfect in every detail, I will be all too glad to part ways with you. Now go.’

I leave without another word. The two lads are outside the door; they move back to let me pass. I bid them good night.