As the last of Charlie’s grenades hit bodies fleeing the burning vans, the mortar explosion ripped a huge hole in Rosie and Vern’s roof and destroyed the internal walls on the upper floor. Vern was hobbling to his gun cabinet when the ceiling crashed on to him, while the force of the blast knocked Rosie half out of the window as chunks of drywall flew and wooden splinters speared her back.

Harry tried breaking loose, but explosions, dust and the blow to the head had disorientated him. There was smoke and flame outside as he got dragged up the porch steps and into the kitchen. Charlie had her arms raised and two rifles in her face, while Ed’s fear of going down the shelter meant neither he nor Patrick had reached safety.

Masked and body-armoured figures swarmed out front and in the hallway, while outside several moaned from grenade injuries.

‘Both vans are shot up,’ someone reported to Man Bun. ‘Two dead, at least six injured.’

‘Another dead in here,’ a voice added sourly. ‘Nobody told us we were heading into grenades and snipers.’

‘Quit your whining,’ Man Bun roared. ‘If our vans are wrecked, take the Porsche and the Jeep.’ Then he pointed at three guys. ‘The lab is down the hatch in the living room. Get the machinery out, then start spreading the explosives around. The boss wants this house levelled.’

‘Cops will have their drones out with all these explosions,’ a giant superhero noted.

‘Let my people worry about cops,’ Man Bun said as he approached Charlie. ‘Go search upstairs. If they’re running a lab, they’ve probably got cash lying around.’

A powerfully modded guy knocked Charlie to her knees and wrenched her arm tight behind her back as Man Bun closed in.

‘Long time no see, Charlie girl,’ Man Bun teased. ‘You’ll have to forgive your security team. But, you know, these rent-a-cops have families to look out for. Except the dumb redhead, who took a bullet for her trouble.’

Charlie scowled up at her tormentor. He’d had some work done, looking years younger and without the stooped posture.

‘Prick,’ was all Charlie could think to say.

Across the hall, someone shouted that they’d found the lab. Harry was dazed and blood streamed from his broken nose, but nobody was looking his way, and he still wore a belt full of tools.

‘Let’s have Charlie girl tied tight so she can’t misbehave,’ Man Bun ordered. Then he turned towards Harry. ‘Haven’t you got big and strong since I squeezed your little boy balls?’

‘Are we taking the two kids?’ someone asked.

‘Sure,’ Man Bun said. ‘If they’re not wanted, they’re easily disposed of.’

Charlie whimpered as the superhero tightened rope round her ankles.

‘Stop fussing!’ Man Bun teased, and he spun and booted Charlie in the ribs.

‘Leave her alone,’ Harry roared.