He saw Lenny’s face close up. It was what he expected – the lad was loyal to him as well as his co-workers, of that Jack was convinced.

‘In what way, Jack?’ Lenny asked carefully.

Jack smiled then, a nasty smile. ‘Where shall I start, eh? My nose told me he was taking the piss somehow, I just couldn’t work out how. So I had a little bird I know go round to his earns and have a chat. I then found out he was undercutting my loans and giving them loans himself. I deduced this, Sherlock, by how much they were paying him. Less than they would be paying me. Now, I am all for free fucking enterprise – as long as it ain’t taking the food out of my mouth, so to speak.’

Lenny nodded. ‘I thought he was up to something too, I just wasn’t sure what, Jack. I wasn’t about to come running to you until I had sussed it out.’

Jack could see the logic of that, and he liked that the boy hadn’t come telling tales before he had the facts.

‘So, what do you want me to do?’ Lenny asked.

Jack Johnson was thrilled. This kid never disappointed.

‘I want you to take that cunt out, that’s what I want.’

Lenny Scott frowned, weighing up what had been said. ‘Kill him, you mean?’

Jack grinned. ‘No. I just want a really good example set. If we kill him, he’s won. I want a walking reminder of his folly. I want people to know that he tried to have me over and what the consequences of such behaviour will be should they embark on such a quest. It’s simple really. You fuck me over, I will fuck you over big time.’

Lenny nodded in agreement. ‘Cripple him, or blind him?’

Jack laughed. Lenny was a fucking diamond. ‘Bit of both, son.’

Lenny stood up and said seriously, ‘I know you will reward me handsomely, as you put it, Jack.’

‘’Course, Lenny. And this will enhance your standing with the rest of the workforce. It means you’re my main man. That in itself will make sure the collecting of your debts will be much easier. But it also means you will be the victim of envy and malice. Are you prepared for that?’

Lenny grinned. ‘What do you think, Jack?’

Chapter Thirteen

Sharon had cooked a steak and kidney pie and she was very happy with how it had turned out. The pastry was perfect and it smelled divine. She was really getting good at this cooking lark, and more of a surprise was that she quite enjoyed it. She glanced at the clock and saw it was nearly seven. That meant her Lenny would be in any minute. She still felt a shiver of excitement at his arrival. She loved him so much.