Even while Jake was trying to enjoy his extra-large fried meal, Tony was still making lists and trying to work out their plan of action.

‘Tony, give it a rest, will you?’ said Jake. ‘At least until I’ve finished eating.’ With that, he reached over to Tony’s untouched plate, picked up a sausage and put it in Tony’s mouth.

10

TONY’S EMPIRE

A month later, and things were well underway. The accountant had sorted out all the necessary paperwork and the lawyers had been able to obtain the licences that were required. Tony had been promised that the licensing wouldn’t be a problem, and it wasn’t. He liked having friends with influence.

Tony and Jake had both been to visit the croupier training school. The main tutor was a man who seemed to have worked everywhere in his day – Las Vegas, cruise ships, you name it, this guy had done it. He was now around fifty years old, and had wanted to settle down in London. He said that, even though he had travelled the globe, there was no place like home.

He had salt and pepper hair, making him look like some mad scientist, but with his height and stature, he had an air of authority about him. His years in the gaming entertainment industry and dealing with the public gave him an easy manner. Although business-like, he came across as friendly, and told Tony and Jake all they wanted to know, even advising them on the best croupiers he was training. They all had their licences and were drilled every day on their mathematical skills and how to ‘kiss up’ when they needed a supervisor.

Tony and Jake discovered that ‘kiss up’ was a gambling term specifically for croupiers. All the supervisors walked around the tables regularly, checking on things. To get their attention, instead of shouting or waving, the croupiers would make a kissing sound. It was all these little tricks of the trade that Tony wanted to know about.

Graham, the croupier trainer, was worth more than his weight in gold, and Tony couldn’t help himself – he offered him the manager’s job there and then. He didn’t want to wait; this man knew his stuff. He also knew the croupiers he had trained, and he was already their boss.

Graham was taken aback; he hadn’t expected this. He had been flattered when he had heard Mr Lambrianu wanted to meet him, at his own convenience, and even more flattered when Tony had asked for his advice.

‘Have you ever managed a casino before, Graham? You seem to have done a lot.’ Tony was eyeing him up. He reckoned Graham was just what he was looking for – a well-known, well-respected croupier trainer, without a blemish on his record.

‘I have, Mr Lambrianu, but the hours are long and stressful. Keeping people happy enough to want to spend their money can be very hard work, at times. It’s nice to go home, for a change, at the end of the day, and not worry that there’s something you may have forgotten.’