He was relieved that everything had gone off very well, considering. Sharon looked lovely in her white dress; it was simple but it suited her down to the ground. She was a great little dresser, was his Shaz, and she had the figure for anything. The dress, which had been purchased from a stylish new shop in Ilford, fitted her like a glove and, even though there was nothing revealing, she looked sexy. She wasn’t showing yet, but her breasts had filled out nicely. Lenny felt the pull of her, and decided it was time they went back to the flat; he was looking forward to his wedding night. He watched her with her friends, dancing to Wham! and he felt a surge of pride. She was his wife, she was having his baby, and he loved her.

Jack Johnson came up to him and pulled his arm gently. Lenny followed him out into the night air, nervous now.

Jack lit a cigar noisily, and puffed on it for a while before saying harshly, ‘Look, son. I like you, you know that. But last night had better be a fucking one-off. Because I ain’t bailing you out again, do you hear me?’

Lenny had the grace to look sheepish, and this endeared him to Jack all over again.

‘I can’t have loose cannons, son, not in my line of work.’

Lenny nodded; his whole demeanour was contrite, sorry-looking. ‘I know, Jack . . . I mean, Mr Johnson. I can only say again, it was the drink. I ain’t a fucking drinker. I don’t even like it. I could cut me hands off. It is not me, that kind of carry-on . . .’

Jack held his hand up. ‘All right, all right, I get the picture. Some people can’t hack a drink. You are obviously one of them. But this is a warning, OK? I had to lay out some serious fucking bunce last night. Consequently, I ain’t a happy fucking bunny. Do you get my drift?’

Lenny nodded, another wave of shame washing over him. ‘I can’t thank you enough, Mr Johnson . . .’

Jack Johnson sighed. ‘Relax, son. But you need to make me believe you are a changed boy. You’re on a warning, son, OK?’

Lenny nodded. ‘I promise you, I will work my bollocks off.’

Jack smiled then. ‘See that you do. Now, get that wife of yours home. I want you in bright and early tomorrow.’

Lenny nodded gratefully, aware of just how lucky he was.

Chapter Nine