‘Tommy? Oh, Tommy.’ Her voice was thick with pleasure.

‘Can I sit down then, or is everyone getting a bollocking tonight?’

Briony laughed at his jocular tone.

‘Oh, Tommy, you’re the last person I expected. Sit. Sit down and let me get you a drink.’

She poured him a large scotch, her brain whirling with the implications of having Tommy Lane in the club, in her office, chatting to her as if nothing had happened.

He pulled off his heavy coat and slung it casually on to the floor. Then he sat down and opened the cigarette box on her desk. He blew out the smoke heavily, a large grey cloud forming around his head.

‘Jesus, Briony, what’s in these fags? Camel shit?’

She placed his drink in front of him.

‘Could be, they’re Turkish!’

‘You’re supposed to give this kind of crap to the punters and smoke the usual Gold Flake yourself! Now then, how are you?’

Briony sat down opposite him; and gazed into his eyes. ‘All the better for seeing you, Tommy.’ Her voice was soft, gentle.

Tommy looked at her for a long moment. Smiling, he said, ‘How’s the family?’

As she spoke of her sisters and her mother, he felt the familiar pull of her. But he also reprimanded himself for being weak enough to come and see her. She was like a dainty piece of Dresden china: her milky-white skin so flawless, her deep red hair emphasising the green glint of her eyes. Her mouth looked too good to be on a mortal woman. He could hear the deep longing in her voice, see it in the depths of her eyes, and just for a second he wondered if he had come here deliberately. To show her he could walk away from her again, maybe even to show himself.

‘So Eileen’s getting better? I’m pleased to hear that, Bri. Really. She had a rough deal, did old Eileen. I’m glad I got rid of the pair of ponces.’

Briony smiled. ‘So am I.’

Tommy sipped his scotch.

‘Actually, Bri, I helped us both out tonight. That’s why I’m here. Maltese Victor was all for blowing this place up! Can you credit that? He wanted protection. Anyway, I heard a whisper so I got your new bloke, Marcus, and me and him went round to see the old bastard and gave him and his son the bad news.’

Briony’s eyes had widened to their utmost.

‘He was going to do what?’

‘Give this place a quick singeing. Cheeky bugger! Anyway, everything’s sorted now. That’s why I came round.’ He looked at his watch ostentatiously. ‘I have to run in a minute. I have to see a man about a dog.’

Briony sat back in her chair heavily.