But it was watching Lenny with his son that really warmed everyone’s hearts. He was absolutely besotted with the child, even getting up with Sharon while she breastfed the boy, making her cocoa and tea and watching in amazement as she nourished their son.

‘I never imagined, Sharon, how fucking fantastic nature is really. I can’t get over seeing him attached to you like that, and I don’t even feel jealous!’

She laughed with him, pleased that he was so interested in the baby and still so in love with her. She felt blessed. If anything, this child had brought them even closer together.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Jack Johnson was giving Lenny more and more responsibility, and Lenny was rising to the challenge. It was as if becoming a parent had made him grow up even faster. He had the look of a man now, a grown-up, fully fledged male. He was getting bigger as well, filling out even more, if that was possible. Jack saw the way the women looked at him, but he had never seen the lad once take the bait. Sharon was a lovely little thing, but if he were Lenny’s age he would be off with anything remotely pretty with a pulse. That was Jack though – Lenny was obviously a much better man than him. Or a complete cunt; it depended how you looked on it really. Jack was a man who thought that youth and opportunity went hand in hand. As his old mum used to say, one day you would be old for the rest of your life – many a true word and all that.

As he looked at young Lenny, he felt a moment’s envy for the boy’s youth and happiness. Everything was possible when you were his age – the world was your oyster and the years were still passing slowly.

‘You know that you’re going to be given a piss-up for your birthday, don’t you?’

Lenny nodded and smiled. He had large, white, strong teeth, and when he grinned he looked like a model in a toothpaste advert.

‘I know. I hope it ain’t a late one. I like to help with the baby. You want to see him, Jack. Bigger every day. He’s smiling as well now – and it ain’t just wind!’

Jack laughed. ‘You’re getting a right fucking Mary Ann!’

Lenny grinned. ‘I can’t help it. He fascinates me.’

Jack raised a bushy eyebrow. ‘So it would seem!’

Lenny got the message that it was time to talk about other things than his boy.

‘Anyway, I’ll be there and I’m going to put a few quid behind the bar. Do the fellas good to have a night out with no women to tie them down and, as it’s Sunday the next day, they can all sleep in.’