Reggie’s other worry was that young Elton seemed to be joined to Ray at the hip. Ray was obviously grooming him for a top job. That in itself wasn’t a problem, but it should have been discussed, especially as everyone – including Elton Mills himself – knew that Jack Johnson didn’t like him. Elton was very like Ray – there was something off about him even though he came across as a nice guy and was always very respectful to everyone. He was lucky in that he had never even had a caution from the Filth, so he was still able to travel to prisons all over to talk face to face with men they needed to contact for whatever nefarious reason.

It wasn’t good to overlook Jack Johnson though, and that is what Ray was doing. He was readying himself to take over and everyone, including Jack Johnson, realised that. But by the same token, that wasn’t a bad thing. Jack was getting on, and he didn’t understand a lot of the new villainy. He didn’t know that you could rob people with a fucking computer and that massive deals could be done online with overseas partners so that no flights were involved. It was a new world and people like Jack Johnson were rapidly becoming dinosaurs.

Reggie watched as Elton and Ray stood chatting for a few moments before coming into the offices. Jack wasn’t there yet, so Reggie put the kettle on for their early morning tea. One good thing about Elton Mills was that he made a blinding cup of char.

Reggie was meeting Sharon and his sister Gerry later to talk over the wedding plans. It was going to be held in a few days and, though it was small, it would be very tasteful – all handmade suits and expensive hats. He was pleased to be so included in the plans as it proved to him that Sharon had finally come to terms with his relationship with Lenny. She was moving on, which, for him, was a good thing. Once she married Ray she would be a Donovan, and that, as they say, would be the end of it. Lenny Scott, who he had loved deeply, would finally be forgotten. His wife and sons had gradually airbrushed him from their lives. The only way Lenny would live on was through Reggie and his memories.

Chapter One Hundred and Fifty-Two

Little Kathy was nearly six months old and a real beauty. With her huge blue eyes and jet-black hair she caused a stir wherever she went. She could crawl at an Olympic pace so she kept everyone on their toes.