The few weeks in the Lake District had been like a new beginning. Lenny had charmed her and charmed his sons. They had gone on days out together, fed the ducks on Lake Windermere and eaten Kendal Mint Cake. Lenny had been his old lovable self, and he had gradually brought them all back to normal. This was the man she had loved for half her life – not the monster he became when he had alcohol. He had sworn to her he would never have more than a few beers again and she had believed him.

She had to believe him. He was her husband and the father of her children and, God help her, she loved him more than life itself.

Chapter Fifty-Eight

‘The wanderer returns!’

Jack Johnson was pleased to see Lenny back after his impromptu holiday. There was a story there, he guessed, but that was for Lenny to tell in his own time.

‘All right, Jack? Hope you didn’t mind my sloping off but we needed a bit of time as a family, you know?’

Jack nodded his understanding. ‘Good break?’

Lenny cracked one of his endearing crooked smiles as he said with feeling, ‘The best. I needed to be with my lads, Jack. They are only young once.’

Reggie was amazed at how easily Lenny could lie but he kept his own counsel.

‘Reggie has been doing fine on his own. I know you two have been in touch by phone so you’re up to speed. I think taking out the Carters was a fucking good move – even the Filth are pleased!’

They all laughed. Particularly mad Faces getting taken out by one of their own often made the police feel as if they had had their job done for them.

‘They were asking for it anyway. Pair of cunts!’ Lenny’s voice was disgusted.

Jack laughed. ‘That’s what I like to hear, Len. Back in work mode, are we?’

‘Who has taken their businesses over?’

Reggie grinned at him and Lenny felt his heart flip over in his chest.

‘Believe it or not, one of their bouncers, Terry Cobb. He is doing a fucking good job too. Well liked, he will go far. Been fair with the wives – that’s what I like to see. Honourable man, I think.’

Jack was nodding his agreement. ‘Very reasonable type of person, and you can bet your life the Carters treated him like fucking dirt. From what I hear on the street their deaths were celebrated all over the Smoke. Never a good idea to make too many enemies in this game. Fuck knows, trouble can brew in an instant so why go looking for it?’ Then he sighed heavily. ‘Talking of trouble, Frank Barber has raised his ugly head.’

‘What’s that got to do with us?’