Gerry didn’t know what to say but she could sense her brother’s discontent and she hoped that it would not blow out of proportion. She knew how easily that could happen in their world, and how brutal it could be.

‘Well, you do have separate businesses, Reg.’ She was striving to be fair.

Reggie sighed and said honestly, ‘And I mention them before, during and after the transactions. I don’t just fucking spring them on everyone.’

Gerry’s smile lit up her beautiful face. ‘Well, he is a Northerner. They do things differently up there!’

She was trying to lighten the mood; Reggie just shrugged and changed the subject. ‘Saw you eyeing up that Barton earlier and him eyeing you back. I don’t think his wife noticed.’

Gerry looked suitably ashamed as she whispered, ‘I’ve been seeing him for a little while, Reg. I know it’s wrong, but I can’t help it.’

Reggie sighed heavily. ‘You are hardly in the first flush of youth, Gerry! Why don’t you look for a proper bloke? One who hasn’t got more baggage than fucking Heathrow Airport.’

His words stung and, in a rare act of retaliation at her brother, she said snidely, ‘I might say the fucking same to you, bruv.’

But Reggie just smiled as he said benignly, ‘That is different and you know it. Though I have got the Italian-looking waiter’s number!’

They were friends again and she hugged him quickly as she said in a whisper, ‘You like them big and manly, just like I do. Must be a family trait, eh?’

They watched as Ray led Sharon on to the dance floor and, as he pulled her into his arms, Reggie saw that she wasn’t as happy as she was making out. He knew her better than she realised and he hoped against hope that life had not thrown her another fucking curveball. She had had more than enough to contend with over the years, and she deserved a slice of happiness. Whether she would find it with Ray Donovan remained to be seen.

Reggie clapped with everyone else and watched the pair dance in silence.

He hoped Sharon would be happy; he could never look at her without the guilt almost choking him. He had loved her husband very much and, the saddest part of it all was, so had she.

Chapter One Hundred and Fifty-Seven

Sharon had danced with her new husband, both her sons, her father and Jack Johnson. Now she was dancing with Barton, aware of the huge strength he possessed as he held her to him tightly.

‘He is one lucky man.’