Although in the beginning the security firm they had set up was intended to be a front for the protection racket, it had taken off and was doing very well in its own right, and at Christmas it seemed to thrive. Everyone wanted their special event to have some security doormen on hand, to help out if needed.

Ashley had a special Christmas fun night planned at the men’s club, to which Tony and Jake were both invited. They had sent their apologies and declined, but whatever it was, they knew it would be a money-spinner.

Tony and Jake were in the office at the club, each dressed in a designer Italian suit, Tony in grey and Jake in black. They sat back in their wingback leather chairs and toasted each other. This was going to be the best Christmas ever. All of their hard work over the last year was paying off.

‘To us, Jake.’ Tony held his glass up, and bowed his head as a form of acknowledgement for all of Jake’s hard work and standing by him when things got tough. Jake did likewise.

‘I wonder what next year will bring, Tony. A year from now, when we are sat in this very spot, toasting each other as we are now, I wonder what it will be about.’ Jake seemed to be daydreaming.

‘For God’s sake Jake, let’s get this one done and out of the way with, first, shall we?’ Tony said. He smiled at his brother, who seemed to be in a world of his own.

Sharon came running into the office; she had a cloth bag full of money, which she had taken out of the cash registers before they burst. She took in the sight before her, Tony and Jake lounging in their chairs, each with a glass of whisky in their hand.

‘Are you two sure you’re not working too hard?’ she said, sarcastically. ‘Put this in the safe, will you? It’s mayhem out there, but at least we’re getting rid of all that cheap champagne at top prices. They are so drunk they don’t know the difference.’ She half chuckled to herself.

‘I’ve come in here to get out of the way,’ said Jake. ‘If I hear the same Christmas song again, I think I’ll scream. It seems to me they are played every year, without fail, and in every pub or club you go in, but people still don’t know the bloody words!’ He was indignant; he sat and folded his arms.

Sharon looked at Tony, who was starting to dial in the combination on the safe so he could put the money away. ‘So, what’s your excuse?’ she said, with a smirk on her face.

‘I’m helping you out, Sharon.’ Tony picked up the bag of money and deposited it into the safe. ‘If I wasn’t here, who would you come running to with all your earnings, so that you can get back into the club and fleece them all some more? Come on, Sharon, you’re worse than us… cheap champagne, more like fizzy water… you put Robin Hood to shame, except you’re robbing the poor to pay the rich.’ Tony picked up his glass again and raised it to her. ‘Come and have a quiet drink with us. It’s all about us three amigos, and how we work together.’ Tony put his arm around her shoulders; she was like his sister, always there to support him and Jake.