‘What you want then, boy?’ the man asked him. His face was reddened from the outdoors life, his eyes watchful but benign. He wore a large handlebar moustache.

‘I’m looking for Mr Bubba Pole.’

For a moment it looked like Connor was going to be told to piss off, then Bubba’s face cleared.

‘Well, you found him.’ Bubba squinted at Connor. ‘And . . . you couldn’t be Josh Flynn’s kid, could you? I got a good memory for faces. I saw you when I came out your dad’s place once for a chat on business. Although you’ve grown up a damned lot since then.’

‘Yeah. That’s me. I’m Connor.’

‘You’re welcome here, Mr Flynn.’

A dark-haired boy of about twelve with light-blue eyes came running up and threw his arms round Bubba. Bubba smiled down at him. ‘This here’s Archie, my youngest.’

‘Hiya, Archie,’ said Connor, reaching out a hand. Archie shook it, solemnly.

‘You got a big family, Mr Pole?’ Connor asked.

‘Archie’s one of six.’

‘I like your car,’ said Archie, his gaze running over the Porsche like he was in seventh heaven.

‘Archie do love a nice car. You in the boxing game then, like your dad?’ asked Bubba. ‘Come on in, don’t sit there. My old lady’s gonna cook you something.’

Connor got out of the car. Archie was still standing there, his eyes saucer-like and one hand stroking the Porsche’s gleaming paintwork. ‘Get in, have a try-out,’ said Connor.

Archie dived into the driving seat and grabbed the steering wheel, beaming from ear to ear.

Connor drew Bubba to one side. ‘Mr Pole . . .’

‘It’s Bubba, Connor. Our families go way back.’

‘Bubba. I’m sorry. I’ve got sad news.’

Archie was going vroom vroom and taking sharp corners at the wheel of the Porsche.

‘What is it?’

‘It’s Dad, Bubba. He died in the ring while he was over in the States. Took a bad blow and never came round.’

Bubba’s eyes filled with tears. ‘Jesus, no.’

‘The funeral was a few days ago. I’m sorry, I realize I should have told you this sooner, given you the chance to come and pay your respects, but . . .’ Connor hesitated, sighed. Shauna, Aysha, him – they had all been shattered by Josh’s death and by the news of his secret life – and none of them had been thinking straight. But he couldn’t tell Bubba that.

‘It’s all right, I understand. When my dad Linus went, I didn’t know my own arse from a hole in the ground. Ah, that’s terrible sad news.’ Bubba swiped at his eyes. ‘He was a fine man, your father. A legend. Beat the shit out of every fighter I ever put up against him – and we had some fantastic talent, I can tell you.’

‘He was a great dad,’ said Connor.