Tony didn’t reach out to take the money. He just left it there between them. ‘Is that with or without interest?’

‘Whatever you say, Mr Lambrianu. I don’t want any trouble, not tonight when everyone’s having a good time for Christmas. If you want the interest, then you know I’ll pay it.’

‘As it’s Christmas, just pay the rest, without interest, when you can. Okay?’ Tony picked up the money; he was going to put it in his jacket pocket, but noticed the bottom notes were wet, from the bar top, and so decided to put it in his coat pocket instead.

The publican beamed a broad grin. ‘Thank you, Mr Lambrianu, you’re a gentleman. Here, have another one.’ Again, he took Tony’s glass and refilled it. The telephone was ringing through the back room. ‘Excuse me, Mr Lambrianu, I’ll have to get that. I’ll be back in a minute.’

Tony picked up his drink and surveyed the room; obviously, there were more women there than men; after all, it was a strippers’ party.

The room was hazy with cigarette smoke, which was allowed, considering it was a private party, and no one would be offended or tell the authorities they were breaking the law. He looked at all the different shapes and sizes of the women. Some looked as rough as old boots and probably reminded some of the younger punters of their old dinner ladies. Some were overweight, which was one thing he would never allow in his club. On the whole, they weren’t a bad-looking bunch of women. All of them were a bit rough around the edges, but there were some that were okay. Maybe that was the appeal, they were all such oddballs. Maybe his own strippers were too uniform.

Tony was always mentally doing business, and now he had an idea. He would run it past Sharon first, but he thought they could maybe have a different sort of night at the club, full of this rough lot. After all, the same well-to-do gentlemen that went to his club would almost certainly come in here for a little variety. It could be some sort of novelty night.

People were dancing and singing along to the music and bumping into each other, laughing and joking, but it was all in the name of fun. Tony took another gulp of his drink and his eyes stopped roving.

In the far corner was a young woman. She had long, dark wavy hair that cascaded down her back. She was sitting with a black woman and what appeared to be the woman’s husband. Tony thought the young woman looked totally out of place. She looked awkward and embarrassed.

It was obvious she wasn’t in the party mood or particularly enjoying herself. Tony could see she was managing a half-hearted smile as she chatted with the woman beside her and the woman’s husband. Tony looked around, wondering who she was with. He was curious.

His eyes scanned across the bar to look at the customers waiting to be served, and he wondered if maybe one of them might be her husband. His head turned again to the young woman; he watched her take a sip from her glass of wine. She was looking around the room at everyone, again with a smile fixed on her face as though trying to pretend she was having a great time.