Lenny and Reggie walked up the steps to the front door and went inside. It was a typical cathouse: it stank of perfume, grass and sweat, with the stench of baby oil and sex underneath. There were girls in various states of undress in the main lounge where a short black man was the bartender. The music playing was Alexander O’Neal; it was loud enough to drown out conversations but not so loud that you couldn’t hear what your chosen partner was saying. The barman gave them each a beer and Lenny motioned to one of the bouncers, informing him he needed to see the twins. The man knew exactly who they were and nodded. He walked off towards the back of the house.

Reggie and Lenny saw the girls eyeing them up and both felt a wave of revulsion. How could men do it? Fuck knew who’d been through these women; it was the same with the rent boys who hung around King’s Cross. A young woman of about seventeen, with a slim figure and heavy breasts, made to walk over to them, and Lenny waved her away as if she was contaminated. He was embarrassed by this kind of place; he didn’t feel comfortable being there and it showed. The older women with more experience eyed them critically – and both men were aware they were found wanting.

Dicky Carter came seeping into the room, all expensive teeth and cheap aftershave. He had his arms out in welcome. ‘What a fucking honour! What brings you two into my establishment?’

Lenny grinned as he said, ‘Well, it ain’t for one of this lot, Dick!’

The man laughed, a loud, boisterous laugh that belied his true nature. He came across as a buffoon and that was exactly how he wanted to be perceived.

‘Come through to the back, boys. Dom is there – he’s looking forward to saying hello.’

They followed him warily. This was when the Carter twins were at their most dangerous: when they were smiling and joking and laughing with you. Lenny had heard a story once where Dominic Carter had been telling a joke and, just before the punchline, he had cut a man’s throat with a razor. The Carters had found that utterly hilarious but they were in the minority.

In the large kitchen they saw that Dom was already pouring them large whiskies. They sat down at the scruffy Formica table and accepted the drinks.

‘So, what can I do for you two?’

Dicky was smiling as he spoke; Dominic was straight-faced and seemed genuinely interested in their answer, whatever it might be.

Lenny sipped the whisky and said easily, ‘The Wilson brothers, as if you didn’t know, you rascals.’

The Carter twins looked at one another for a moment and then they both burst into loud laughter – real laughter this time.

‘What did I tell you, Dom? Lenny Scott is a funny fucking man!’