Reggie was pleased to hear that Sharon was making a success of her businesses. In fact, behind the scenes, he had made sure that success would be hers, whatever happened. Like Jack Johnson, he was doing everything he could to make her life as easy as possible. Too many women in the Life were forgotten when they lost their men. It wasn’t just losing a husband, but often a decent standard of living into the bargain. Reggie was determined that would not happen to Sharon or her boys. There had been that terrible moment after Lenny’s death when Reggie realised she knew about them. They never again spoke about it explicitly, but he knew that she couldn’t stand the sight of him. He kept his distance. He understood that she resented him, and he also appreciated that she had kept his secret. She could have quite easily destroyed him. But, in doing so, she would have destroyed her husband into the bargain and she would not do that to her sons.

She was an astute woman who understood the virtue of her silence. If the truth ever came out about Lenny, her sons would suffer as she would. Nevertheless Reggie was aware of how hard it must have been for a woman of her passion and temperament. He knew Sharon – how often had he discussed her with Lenny? He knew that Lenny had loved her and he wished he could remind her of that. Not that she would ever believe it now.

He still missed his friend and his lover. Lenny Scott had been all he had ever dreamed of, all he had ever wanted. The short time they had had together had been bittersweet. But his grief was aggravated by the fact that he had hurt Sharon Scott for no good reason. He had wanted her to live in ignorance, as had her husband. Lenny would have been devastated to know she’d uncovered their secret. Reggie had been an uncle to their sons and wanted the best for them. Why wouldn’t he? He had never set out to hurt her – he liked and respected her. He had also been in love with the man she had married. Had he loved him more than her? Who could say? All he knew was that he would watch out for her and her sons as best he could, whether she wanted him to or not. It was what Lenny would have wanted too and Reggie would still do anything for him.

He walked into the Prospect of Whitby public house and headed to the bar. Jack wanted him to meet with a contact of his called Ray Donovan. He saw a huge, handsome man at the bar. The eyes of everyone in the place were on him, not just because he was new in town, but because he was a handsome fucker with a real presence. Even Reggie Dornan was impressed.