‘There was eighty-five grand taken from Jason Prior’s residence. You did good, son. I will make sure you and Reggie get a decent bonus. It will be all over the Smoke now, and that can only be good for business. People will be on the blower, selling off difficult debts, which is just what we want. That’s where the big earn is. I think you and that lad can sort them.’

Lenny nodded his agreement. It was exactly what he had been hoping for.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

The pub was packed with men celebrating Lenny Scott’s birthday. The atmosphere was all friendly camaraderie and jokes. Big Lenny looked around and felt pride in this lad of his. He had really made his mark on the world. He watched as the men were respectful to his boy, and saw how respectful Lenny was in return. He always gave people their due. He had a great nature – though, as everyone knew, he wasn’t a man to cross. Now he had taken out Jason Prior and that just added to his mystique.

He was a son to be proud of, in every way – he was a good provider, a wonderful father and he was also a fucking nice man. Big Lenny Scott was thrilled with his boy, and he didn’t care who knew it either.

The drink was flowing and the men were starting to get raucous now. Lenny was still known to not really be a drinker except for a few beers and so he was not offered serious alcohol – everyone remembered the Keith incident too well. But he was happy for everyone else to indulge and he liked a laugh and a joke.

One lag, Freddie Forester, was regaling them with stories of his sexual exploits when he had been a youngster. Freddie had been, by his own admission, a seriously good-looking fucker, and there were still traces left in his old face. He had a magnificent head of hair and, though he was heavy these days, he looked fit for his age.

‘This bird had tits like fucking rugby balls. The face on it wasn’t anything to write home about, but the body . . .’ Freddie rolled his eyes and everyone laughed at him. ‘So, there I am, going at it like fucking no one’s business, and her fucking dad walks into the room. Straight up! I nearly fucking passed out. And she goes – all bored, like – “Your tea’s in the oven.” I nearly missed me fucking stroke! I finished up and was straight out of there, I can tell you!’