Reggie Dornan suspected that there was some business going on between Jack and Ray Donovan. It was obviously just between the two of them, but he wasn’t too worried about it. He too had his private deals with Jack Johnson – that was how their world worked. What he felt, though, was that whatever they were doing together, it was not something he wanted a part of. There was a feeling there of an almost unholy alliance. He knew it sounded melodramatic, even to his own ears, but he could not shake the thoughts away. Ray disappeared for days at a time, and no one knew where he was or what he was doing. Again, nothing so strange about that in their world. But Reggie’s gut instinct was telling him to be careful and not to pry.

He didn’t see that much of Sharon these days and that suited him, though she was civil to him and grateful for his help when she had needed it. His relationship with Lenny would always be there between them. He respected that she had kept it to herself though he guessed that was more for her and the boys’ sakes than his. Either way he was glad it wasn’t out there. Even in these enlightened times it was still seen as a weakness. Lenny Scott’s memory would have been destroyed and everything he had ever done would be suspect. It was wrong, but it was the world they inhabited, simple as that.

Reggie got out of his car and pressed the buzzer at the electric gates and then he waited in his car patiently for Sharon to open them. He parked on the large driveway and walked casually towards the front of the house. It was an impressive place, and he was glad for them.

Sharon had blossomed since she had been with Ray and the boys were not such a handful these days. Lenny had encouraged them to be boisterous, even while he punished them for it. Ray was a more moderate parent. The boys loved him, there was no doubting that, and Ray thought the world of them too. He took them to football and karate – whatever they wanted to do, he was as up for it as they were. Now he had his own child on the way and Reggie supposed that would complete the family.

Reggie kissed Sharon lightly on her cheek and followed her through to the big, bright kitchen that was like something out of Homes & Gardens.

She was pouring him a cup of tea as he said teasingly, ‘You’re getting bigger, girl!’

She laughed. ‘Fucker won’t keep still. Keeps nightclub hours this one. Moving all night and sleeping all day!’

Reggie took the mug of tea and laughed. ‘If it’s a boy, we’ll start him as a doorman!’