They were in The Volunteer pub in Barking. Reggae was blasting out from Flanagan’s Speakeasy, the club attached to the side of the public house, but they were in the lounge bar with a few other men having a business drink. The trip to Spain was completely hush-hush, so that was not on the agenda this evening.

Reggie came back from the men’s and slipped into his seat quietly. He had fitted into the firm perfectly: he was good-looking, could have a fight, and he was liked. His friendship with Lenny Scott had been noted and taken on board. Reggie Dornan was going places, simple as that. Tommy King and Davey Boy Harris were with them tonight. Both were good collectors who concentrated on the council estates.

Two young men walked into the bar; both were dressed like New Romantics and had glitter on their faces and eyeliner on their eyes. Lenny judged them to be about eighteen years old.

Tommy King looked at them in disgust. ‘Fucking real, ain’t it? Fucking shit-stabbers out with normal people.’

Jack laughed at the man’s outrage.

‘In my day, Jack, they’d have never got past the fucking door. Fucking animals.’

Davey Boy was nodding in agreement. He was a small man with a big temper and an ill-fitting wig that no one ever mentioned.

‘You’re right, Tom. You seen these adverts for this Aids fucking malarkey? That was brought here by that lot. Fucking poof’s disease. I can’t believe they have the front to walk about like they do. Imagine your son putting on make-up! You would knock the cunt out, wouldn’t ya?’

Reggie laughed, then he said, ‘I think that’s just the fashion now, guys. It don’t mean they are queer as such.’

The older men looked at him askance and he turned to Lenny for help.

Lenny was laughing loudly as he said, ‘He’s right. It’s the fashion.’

Davey Boy started laughing too. ‘Can you imagine going round to collect a debt dressed like that?’

Tommy waved his hands in annoyance. ‘You telling me that Boy George ain’t an iron hoof, Lenny?’

Reggie grinned. ‘Even I would have to give you that one, Tom.’

Jack spluttered through his laughter, ‘And what about Liberace? My mum loved him but I’m sure he’s queer as a ten-bob clock.’

Tommy was still annoyed. ‘They should be put down, it’s unnatural. Even the fucking Bible condemns it.’

Lenny grinned cheekily as he said, ‘It also said “Thou shalt not steal or covet thy neighbour’s wife”!’

Everyone knew that Tommy was a robber in his day, and that his wife had caught him in bed with the next-door neighbour. They were all laughing now, even Tommy.

‘Don’t remind me! She brings it up twice a week, and it was over ten fucking years ago! She still earholes me about it.’