The talk went back to matters of business, but Reggie and Lenny were reminded of just how precarious their positions would be if their secret came out. Lenny could not believe that he was willing to take such a chance just to be with a man he had known less than two weeks. It was unbelievable really. He caught Reggie’s eye and they smiled slightly at one another. He knew Reggie was thinking the exact same thing.

Chapter Thirty-Six

‘Oh, that smells handsome, Shaz. You got enough for Reggie? His mum’s idea of cooking is to raid the fucking chippy.’

Sharon grinned happily. ‘’Course. There’s plenty, mate.’

Reggie smiled his thanks and sat at the table. He looked at the little boy propped up in his highchair gnarling on a crust of bread and butter. His whole face was shiny from the spread and he gave them all a gummy smile. A few minutes later, Sharon placed huge platefuls of Irish stew in front of them and Lenny and Reggie tucked in immediately.

‘This is good, Sharon. I wish my mum bothered to cook. It is so nice to have a proper cooked meal, you know?’

Sharon sat down; she had mashed up a small bowl of food for the baby and, as she was blowing on it to cool it down, she said, ‘According to your sister Geraldine, you’re the cook in your house. A good one too, from what I’ve heard.’

Reggie busied himself seasoning his food for a few seconds. ‘Nothing like this, Sharon – I wish.’ But actually he knew he was a better cook than she would ever be. Trying to make sure his younger siblings had a decent plate in front of them had perfected his skills.

Lenny got up and opened them both a beer. Reggie took his gratefully and watched as Lenny poured his wife a glass of wine. This house was so civilised, it was like being in a TV programme.

‘I’ve got to go away, darling. A bit of business. If anyone asks, you have no idea where I have gone, OK? This is important, Shaz. It is a lot of money if I can pull this off – enough to get us looking for a decent property.’

Reggie watched as Sharon nodded at her husband without a second’s hesitation. She trusted this man with her life, that much was obvious.

‘Oh, Len, have a guess what I heard today? The cab rank by the betting office is going up for sale. The Greek bloke who owns it has had enough. But it’s a good earner – I nipped in with me dad and looked at the books. Cash business, so you can imagine how much he must take under the table.’

Lenny looked at his wife with interest. ‘Who would run it?’

‘Well, we would, of course. But I thought we could stick your dad in there. Keep it in the family, like.’