‘That’s it for now, Angus. If I decide to let you keep your job and home, I’ll inform you. Buy those debts and keep your eye on that man’s whereabouts. I don’t want him out of sight.’ Tony kicked a chair out of the way and stormed out.

Once outside, Tony hit the roof of the car with his hand. ‘Damn it, Jake, can’t anyone do a simple job any more? Right, first things first, get Joe moved to a private hospital. Does he have a wife or family? If so, see that they are okay, financially. Get Sharon to call a meeting with the publicans and tell them we’re back and it’s all in hand. Tell Angus we no longer need Bennie sniffing around with his dealers, but tell him to thank him for his co-operation.’ Tony was mentally adding up all the things he needed to do. ‘Can you think of anything I’ve missed?’

Jake shook his head. He knocked on the glass window between the back seat of the Rolls Royce and the driver’s seat. ‘John, take us to the hospital to see Joe, will you? We’re going there first.’

Jake looked at Tony, who nodded back at him.

‘Let’s see what damage has been done. In the meantime, we’ll set up a meeting and get Dan to start spreading the word that the South London mob have been well and truly put in their place and scared off. Then we find out who this stripper is and make sure she gets some sort of compensation – sick pay, if you like.’

Tony knew he was lucky to have Jake. He was the voice of reason.

They went to the hospital to see Joe. He was in the burns unit. His skin had blistered badly; he lay on his stomach and the whole of his torso was bandaged. Fortunately, his head and face hadn’t been touched. Joe was full of morphine to stop the pain, but he acknowledged Tony and Jake.

‘We’re going to have you taken to a private clinic, Joe, and I promise you, this will get sorted. The person who did this will pay for it, I assure you. Obviously, you will remain on full pay while you recover.’

‘Thanks,’ he said.

‘Have you told the police anything about it?’ Tony was curious. Although Angus had assured them that the police weren’t involved, he thought the hospital would have to inform them, especially about an acid attack.

‘I told them I don’t know who it was. It was just some random punter picking a fight with one of the strippers, I stepped in and, well, this.’ Joe looked down at his bandaged body. ‘They said they would look into it, but they don’t have any leads or anything. The guy ran out of the door before anyone could stop him.’

‘Do you know who it was, Joe?’

‘No, boss, never seen him before, not one of the regulars.’ Joe winced in pain. His breathing was laboured.