Tony and Jake looked at one another. Joe had no idea who Luke was and so, even if he had felt bitter about being in so much pain, he still couldn’t tell the police anything and drag Tony, Jake or Angus into it. Angus had done a very good job, after all.

In a way, it had gone even better than Tony had planned. This outsider, who was now beaten to a pulp and would be out of the way for some time, was seemingly unknown to everyone. Tony and Jake had been out of the country. Now Tony was back and would have the dealers removed from the streets and calm would be restored. Angus, Tony had to admit, had been right. They had achieved what they’d set out to accomplish.

Sharon had organised the meeting with the local businessmen and invited them all to the club for it. They were in awe of the place; they had never been there before, and Tony felt Sharon had only decided to invite them to a meeting there to spite him.

Tony and Jake had showered and changed out of their travelling clothes into their suits. As this was a meeting, they had to look like businessmen. When they walked towards the office at the club, they could see a dozen familiar faces. Each and every one of them wanted to be heard, they were shouting questions and looking at Tony and Jake for answers.

‘Mr Lambrianu, I presume you have heard what has happened.’ The owner of the snooker club looked up at Tony. His face was pale and drawn.

Tony nodded. ‘You don’t have to fill me in on the details, gentlemen, I already know everything. As we speak, things are being sorted out, and I promise you, peace will be restored.’ Tony sat down beside Jake; he felt he had already said enough.

‘That South London mob were dealing near our premises, Mr Lambrianu; is that what is going to happen every time you go away?’

‘No, this will not happen each time I go away. As a matter of fact, I have already been to see the South London mob leader.’ They all looked shocked. They knew he had only just got back and yet he hadn’t let the grass grow; they all seemed relieved at his prompt action.

‘What did he say about that guy and the acid attack? Is it going to happen again?’ Tony looked across at the publican who spoke and raised one eyebrow.

‘It won’t happen again, I assure you. I will not go into details, gentlemen, but that is what you pay me for. Protection. While we’re on that subject, I will be hiring more men to look after your properties and your families, and so I will have to increase the payments a little.’

‘That’s okay, Mr Lambrianu.’ The group of men all nodded in unison. ‘As long as you’re sorting it out and we can go about our daily business without fear.’ They all seemed satisfied that Tony looked confident and in charge of the situation. He had proven himself to be worth every penny they paid.