Lenny watched in utter amazement as Jack opened his small safe and took out a thousand pounds in cash. As Jack handed it over, Lenny felt the urge to cry. The man was such a big-hearted character. Lenny swore his undying allegiance to him there and then – as Jack Johnson knew he would. It was about keeping your eye on the main chance, but also, as Jack admitted to himself, he genuinely liked this kid. Lenny Scott had a bright future, there was no doubt about that in his mind. And Jack Johnson had always prided himself on finding talent and putting said talent to work. It was why he was a rich man.

He had big plans for young Lenny Scott; the lad was that rare mixture of brawn and brains and, in Jack’s game, that was a fucking gift. Lenny had his head screwed on – he knew the score, he had a nice nature – and he was grateful. The latter was an important attribute. Jack Johnson knew only too well how many nasty little fuckers were out there, with no integrity whatsoever and a God-given belief that life owed them a living. He blamed the welfare state – it had made people weak. The dole was supposed to tide you over till you got a fucking job. It was never meant to be your fucking main earn.

That was why Jack admired this lad so much – he didn’t sign on for a poxy few quid on top of his wages. Lenny was kosher. He understood, as young as he was, the need to keep as far away from the government as possible. He kept himself well under the radar and earned his coin with his own graft. He was a man after Jack’s heart.

Chapter Three

‘How much?’

Lenny could hear the incredulity in everyone’s voices and he laughed delightedly as he took the wad of money out of his pocket and threw it on to the kitchen table.

Ivy’s eyes nearly popped out of her head at the sight of it. His own parents were quiet; his father, Big Lenny Scott, was chuffed for his boy, but his mother, Lesley, a tall, thin woman with a face like a broken watch, remained tight-lipped. As his dad would say, she felt too close to God to make her comfortable with Lenny’s association with the likes of Jack Johnson.