‘So shall we put in the offer today or let Mr Jackson and his client sweat it out?’

Briony shrugged.

‘We’ll put in an offer. Now let’s get going, I’m dying for a cup of tea.’

They left the house, happy now they were both in accord. Mr Jackson watched them emerge and sighed. They were not ladies, not by any standards. What was the world coming to?

Kevin Carter was at home having his dinner. He had three young daughters, all with dark hair and brown eyes. His wife Annie was a small girl with black hair and a small, pretty face. She opened the door to Briony and smiled widely.

‘Hello, Miss Cavanagh. Kevin’s just having his dinner. Come through, I was making a cup of tea anyway.’

Briony walked into the house and down the tiny hallway into the dining room. Kevin saw who the visitor was and stood up. ‘Sit yourself down and finish your meal, I’m ready for a cup of tea anyway.’

She sat on a large overstuffed chair by the doorway. Three identical little faces looked up at her hopefully. Carmel, the eldest, said shyly: ‘Have you got something nice for me?’

Briony laughed, and opening her bag took out three mint creams in bright green paper.

‘You shouldn’t ask, Carmel!’ Kevin’s voice was loud.

Briony flapped a hand at him and said airily, ‘Leave her be, Kevin. If you don’t ask, you don’t get!’

Ten minutes later she sat in her car, with Kevin driving her to the house in Barking.

‘By the way, Kevin, I want you to go and pick up a bloke for me today. Marcus Dowling. He’s interested in becoming one of the team.’

Kevin whistled softly.

‘He’s getting a name for himself, is Marcus.’

Briony cut him off. ‘When I want your opinion, I’ll ask for it.’ Her voice dripped ice and a shocked Kevin turned slightly to look over his shoulder.

‘Drive the car, Kevin, that’s what you’re paid for. And one last thing. If I tell you to frighten someone, that’s what you do, get it? If I want him cut, I’ll tell you. Evander Dorsey was bleeding. I never asked you to do anything but scare him. You ever take something like that on yourself again, and you’ll feel the full force of my anger. Do I make myself clear?’

Kevin nodded almost imperceptibly.

‘Yes, Miss Cavanagh.’

‘Good, now we know exactly where we stand, don’t we?’

Kevin didn’t answer, but Briony had not expected him to.