He smiled at the two huge young men, envying them their youth, and the future that lay ahead. He didn’t like getting older, and he was well aware he was a laughing stock, as his girlfriends seemed to be getting younger.

‘So, I hear great things about you, Lenny. The Prior business was a coup, all right.’

He liked that the lad acknowledged his words with a small nod, without feeling the urge to discuss it, especially his part in it. That told Jamie this kid could keep his trap shut.

‘Can I get you boys anything?’

Lenny shook his head. ‘No, really we are fine. We had lunch in Leigh-on-Sea.’

He looked around the office, impressed despite himself. This was what he wanted – this kind of legitimate set-up that would bring him money and respect.

‘OK, then. The business I want to discuss goes no further than us and that is imperative.’

Lenny and Reggie nodded in unison and Jamie had the thought they could be brothers.

‘I did a cuntish thing a few years ago. A very cuntish thing. I lent eighty grand to a man I thought was a mate. He took the money, and he ran with it. Invested it wisely, and then stiffed me for my stake. He was last seen on his way to fucking Colombia, and I am sure we are all aware of what the attraction was there! Anyway, I hear through the grapevine that he is back, only he is in Marbella. Built a stonking great big drum and base for himself and living the proverbial life of fucking Riley. New wife – a Colombian tart, apparently – the usual bollocks. I want him taken out and I want my poke back. Now, no one is willing to do this little errand for me because of the man’s reputation with the South Americans. Like they would give a flying fuck – they deal with whoever is available! There is no sentiment in the drug trade, believe me. Now, are you interested?’

‘How much?’

‘You keep the eighty grand, and I put twenty on top. You have my word.’

Lenny digested this information for a few seconds before saying, ‘Who is it?’

Jamie Ryan looked him straight in the eye. ‘Christopher Steel.’

Reggie was heard to whisper ‘Jesus Christ’ under his breath.

Lenny Scott leaned forward in his seat and said seriously, ‘You arrange flights, accommodation, et cetera. I might want to bring a couple more lads out there, and I will need time to plan it properly. I want to be located outside of Marbella, in the countryside. I think the only way to get this done is to lure him out to us.’

Jamie Ryan couldn’t believe his luck. ‘You’re up for it, then?’

Lenny grinned. ‘Oh, yeah. I’ll be in touch within seven days, and I’ll talk you through what I have decided to do and how much it will cost you to bankroll it all.’