Jack smiled. He was old school. He thought women needed a man in their lives; he believed they were not made to be alone for any length of time. Sharon had been without one long enough.

‘She needs a man to put those kids of hers on the right track, if nothing else. Pair of fuckers they are.’

‘There’s something else too, Jack. Big Lenny is after her. I don’t know what has come over him . . .’

Jack Johnson was seriously perturbed now. ‘You are having a fucking laugh, surely?’

Reggie could hear the incredulity in his voice. ‘I know what you’re thinking but I saw it for myself. Let’s say that me and Ray turned up just in time.’

Jack Johnson shook his head in disgust. ‘What a complete cunt! Are you telling me he wants his dead son’s wife?’

Reggie nodded. ‘Sharon was so pleased to see me and Ray turn up last night. It was fucking embarrassing. I mean, in fairness to her, she has to tread warily. It’s her kids’ grandparents. Can you imagine Lesley Scott if she even fucking suspected?’

Jack shook his head as he said angrily, ‘It would be fucking ambulances arriving! More fights than Mike Tyson! And, believe me, Lesley fucking Scott might act the Apostle of Christ but she can have a fucking row. In her day . . .’ He shook his head in consternation. ‘She is one nasty fuck if pushed. And you know what? I think she always resented poor Sharon for taking away her son.’

Reggie nodded; he knew that poor Sharon had resented him more for taking away her husband.

‘Well, whatever, Jack. Ray Donovan will look out for her.’

Jack nodded. He was pleased because he had done what Lenny would have wanted. And Reggie knew exactly what he was thinking.

Chapter Ninety-Three

The cab drivers were nervous. This new bloke was a big fucker and there was obviously something going down. They all knew about Jamie Brewer and they were waiting to see how it played out. They liked Sharon; she was a good boss and she was fair. She even made sure that the airport runs were on a rota. But, at the end of the day, none of them wanted to be a fucking hero. They were cab drivers not fucking villains.

Cabbing in London was a dangerous occupation when you worked a patch like this. They were on Ilford High Road so they had pubs and clubs and all sorts of shit to contend with. The last thing they needed was upset in the rank itself. They had Tiffany’s, they had Room At The Top – they had so many fucking places they were called to. It was a lucrative business. It was also a very dangerous one when fuckers like Jamie Brewer jumped on board. So, they sat and they waited to see how the land would lie when it was all over.

Chapter Ninety-Four